Goldfish are omnivorous fish and will basically eat everything without being picky. However, in order for goldfish to grow quickly and healthily, we need to achieve a balanced nutrition mix in terms of feeding.
1. Artificial Feed
When feeding goldfish, artificial feed is mainly used. They will eat either granular or flake - shaped feed. This type of feed provides various nutrients required by goldfish.
2. Various Live Foods
Whether it is brine shrimp, bloodworms or mealworms, they are all rich in protein, which can accelerate the growth rate of goldfish and enhance their color. It should be noted that when feeding live foods, make sure that the live foods do not carry germs or parasites, otherwise the goldfish are likely to get sick and the water quality will be polluted.
3. Homemade Foods
Finally, appropriately feeding some vegetables can help goldfish with digestion, regulate their intestines and stomach, and reduce the probability of enteritis. It is recommended to feed lettuce, spinach, peas and garlic soaked in hot water. This is beneficial for their eating and digestion, and can also clean the pesticide residues on the vegetables. However, when using vegetables as feed, be careful to use a small amount to avoid polluting the water quality.
Some fish - keepers will feed rice or noodles to goldfish. This is wrong. Rice and noodles are of no nutritional value to goldfish and can at most fill their bellies.
What do small goldfish eat?
For newly - born small goldfish, do not feed them. Small goldfish will absorb the nutrients in the yolk sac. After about two to three days, the fry start to grow mouths and slowly swim horizontally. At this time, you can feed some high - protein feed such as egg yolks. Because the mouths of the fry are very small, you should take a small piece of the cooked egg yolk and put it on a gauze or fishing net, then crush and stir it in the water by hand to let the egg yolk seep into the water, so that the fry can easily absorb the nutrients. However, egg yolks are likely to pollute the water quality, so feed a little less each time.
When the goldfish are one week old, you can feed the goldfish some live foods, such as newly - hatched brine shrimp, bloodworms, mealworms, etc. Live foods provide rich protein, which helps the fry grow quickly. It is crucial to cut the feed into small pieces so that the fry can eat.
After about two weeks, the goldfish start to grow up. At this time, artificial feed can be fed together with live foods and vegetables.
How often should goldfish be fed?
It is enough to feed goldfish once or twice a day. Goldfish eat a lot and excrete a lot. Feeding too often is likely to pollute the water quality. Although goldfish can eat a lot, they can also endure hunger very well. If feeding twice, it can be once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
For small goldfish, they need more food to help them grow. In the first two weeks after birth, they can be fed 3 - 4 times a day. After two weeks, it can be reduced to twice a day.