How Long Do Gold Fishes Live?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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have a lifespan averaging about

10-15 years, with some varieties living up to 30 years when provided with proper care

. Unfortunately, many goldfish do not reach their lifespan potential due to inadequate housing conditions. Housing needs to meet both their behavioural and physiological needs.

How do I keep my goldfish alive for a long time?

  1. Get It A Tank. For the best health, your goldfish will need not a bowl, but a tank. …
  2. Don't Use Chlorinated Water. Chlorine found in tap water can kill a goldfish in less than a day. …
  3. Don't Overfeed It. …
  4. Buy An Air Pump.
  5. Clean Frequently. …
  6. Keep It Entertained.

Can goldfish live 25 years?

That said,

a very rough range for goldfish lifespan would be 5-25 years

. The type of living conditions they have greatly affects this lifespan as much as the quality of care, type of food, water quality, temperatures, and more. Species, living situation, food, and genetics all have something to do with it.

Do goldfish get lonely?

While we can never know for sure,

there is no indication that goldfish get lonely

. It's likely that when you spot a single goldfish that seems lethargic or depressed, it is far more likely that there is a problem with its environment or health than it is that the goldfish is lonely.

How do you know if a goldfish is happy?

Signs of a Happy Goldfish


Your goldfish should be swimming constantly and not floating, bobbing or sinking

. They should eat regularly and eliminate their waste frequently. Provide some variety in your fish's diet. Pellets everyday can become boring.

Do fishes sleep?

While fish do not sleep in the same way that land mammals sleep,

most fish do rest

. Research shows that fish may reduce their activity and metabolism while remaining alert to danger. Some fish float in place, some wedge themselves into a secure spot in the mud or coral, and some even locate a suitable nest.

Is it OK to feed goldfish once a day?

How often do you feed goldfish?

Adult goldfish should only be fed 1 time per day

with high protein food. Smaller fish need more frequent feedings of little portions to grow big and strong. They can still eat veggies around the clock, as much as they want, so you aren't depriving them.

Do goldfish need a light?


Goldfish do not rely on lighting as plants do

, but it is still important to give them a day and night cycle. This will help their eye development and provide them with the light requirements that they would receive in the wild.

Can goldfish live in tap water?


Goldfish can only live in tap water when it has been properly treated to remove harmful chemicals

. What is this? Tap water contains chemicals that will kill all of the ‘good bacteria' in your tank.

Do goldfish turn white?


Goldfish can turn white and pale when they are suffering from illness

. No specific ailment causes color changes directly. It's simply a symptom that can come with any disease. You'll know that the color change is from a disease if your fish is exhibiting other symptoms.

Does a goldfish sleep?

Unlike people,

goldfish do not lie down when they sleep

. Rather, they become less active, staying in one place and moving slowly to keep themselves stable. They look like they are hovering in the tank or pond, usually low in the water, an inch or so off the bottom, with their heads pointed slightly downward.

What is the oldest living goldfish?

The longest-lived goldfish on record lived to

age 43

. The oldest living goldfish was Tish, won by a UK family at a funfair. Tish was recognized into the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest living goldfish. Improper care or life in a bowl greatly reduces the typical lifespan of a goldfish.

Do goldfish get excited to see you?

Goldfish are certainly smarter than you think. Some have been observed to perceive and remember well enough to distinguish between people. They often notice the person who feeds them each day, and

will get excited when they see them

.

What size tank do I need for 2 goldfish?

Now, in terms of 2 common goldfish, you will want to have a tank that is

at least 42 gallons large

. What is this? The minimum for a single common goldfish is 30 gallons, with our recommendation being 40 gallons. However, for each additional goldfish, you will need an additional 12 gallons of water.

Do goldfish need toys?


They want to be entertained with some toys and decor items present in the water

. Usually, they look for aquatic plants, tunnels, stones, and other such things that give them an ocean vibe. Make sure to choose lightweight, easy to push around and aquarium safe toys, so it does not harm your goldfish.

How do you know if your goldfish is a boy or girl?

To identify a female goldfish,

look for a rounder, thicker body shape

. Females may also have a bulge on one side as breeding season approaches, and their vent, or anal opening, may protrude slightly. Male goldfish often have a thinner, more streamlined body shape than females, with a concave vent and a midline ridge.

How can you tell if goldfish are hungry?

  1. Your fish is digging around the substrate (searching for food).
  2. Waiting and the top of the aquarium (for feeding time).
  3. Behavior changes (aggression).
  4. Noticeable weight/size changes.
  5. Slow or sluggish behavior.

Do goldfish hear you talking to them?

Interestingly,

they can listen to you

. Just not in the way you think. You may have found goldfish responding to you tapping on the glass to get their attention. They can hear using several different sensory organs, mainly their internal ears and lateral line.

Do fishes fart?


Most fish do use air to inflate and deflate their bladder to maintain buoyancy which is expelled either through their mouth or gills which can be mistaken for a fart

. For example, sand tiger sharks gulp air into their stomachs at the surface which they then discharge out the back door to attain a desired depth.

Do fishes drink water?


Fish do absorb water through their skin and gills in a process called osmosis

. Osmosis is the flow of water across membranes from areas of low concentration of dissolved things (solutes) to areas of high concentration.

Do fish have dreams?

What human food can goldfish eat?

What human food can you feed a goldfish? When it comes to human food, you can feed your goldfish

boiled vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, kale, spinach, or peas

. You can also feed your goldfish fruits such as apples and bananas.

Can goldfish eat fruit?

Fruit and vegetables are important components of your goldfish's diet. They are a great source of nutrients and are low in fat.

There are many types of fruits and vegetables that you can feed your goldfish

, including peas, lettuce, broccoli, baby marrow, cauliflower peeled orange wedges and apples.

How long will goldfish live without food?

Goldfish are able to go

up to two weeks

without food, but it's not recommended to leave your fish without food for so long because captive goldfish has its daily feeding schedule. If you are away for longer than three or four days, make arrangements so your goldfish gets its food on a schedule.

What colors can goldfish see?

​Goldfish See More Colour Than Humans

Human eyes can see only three primary colours: red, blue and yellow. All other colours are mixtures of these.

A goldfish, however, can see four

, making it a tetrachromate.

Do goldfish like cold water?

However,

common-type goldfish can thrive in water as cool as 62 ̊F or so

, and usually do best in water that is 72 ̊F or below. Fancy goldfish cannot tolerate the same cool temperatures that common goldfish can, so they usually prefer 68 ̊F as the temperature minimum, but are often happiest in water from 70-76 ̊F.

Do goldfish need a friend?


Keeping at least two goldfish in an aquarium is recommended to provide companionship and promote activity

. Solitary fish can exhibit depression and lethargy. Goldfish are generally not aggressive so they can be kept with most community fish provided the other fish are larger than the size of the goldfish's mouth.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.