Easy

Fancy Goldfish

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Carassius auratus

Complete Fancy Goldfish care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 20 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Easy.

Fancy Goldfish

Quick Answer

Fancy Goldfish (Carassius auratus) is a captivating and highly sought-after freshwater species. It requires a minimum 20 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 7.2 - 7.8 and temperature range of 18-22°C. This omnivore occupies the middle zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Fancy Goldfish (Carassius auratus) is a captivating and highly sought-after freshwater species. Known for their peaceful nature and distinct appearance, they occupy the middle levels of the aquarium and bring dynamic energy to any setup.

Setup

Fancy Goldfish requires a stable, well-filtered aquarium of at least 20 gallons. They thrive best with moderate water movement and a reliable heater to maintain temperatures around 18-22°C. Ensure pH levels remain consistent between 7.2 - 7.8 to prevent stress and support long-term health.

Feeding

As a omnivore, the Fancy Goldfish is not a picky eater. They should be fed a high-quality base of flakes, sinking pellets, or wafers. Periodic supplementation with frozen or live foods, such as bloodworms or brine shrimp, will boost their health and colors.

Compatibility

Fancy Goldfish has a peaceful temperament. They are compatible with other fish of similar sizes and temperaments. Avoid placing them with aggressive species or tankmates they are listed as incompatible with, such as: neon tetra, cardinal tetra, guppy, betta, angelfish, discus, molly.

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Tank Position
Middle
Water Temp
18-22°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
7.2 - 7.8

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Omnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Red Eyed Tetra Care Guide: Schooling & Tank Size semanticSimilarity Apistogramma Care Guide: Temperament & Diet semanticSimilarity Banded Corydoras Care Guide: Substrate & Diet semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Fancy Goldfish should be kept together?
Keep a single specimen or a compatible pair in a tank of at least 30 gallons (113 liters) for the first fish, plus 15 gallons (57 liters) per additional fish. Fancy goldfish (Carassius auratus) produce significant biological load and require ample swimming space. For two fish, minimum 45 gallons (170 liters) with a footprint of 36x15 inches (90x38 cm). Avoid keeping with single-tailed goldfish (comets, commons) as they are faster and outcompete fancies. Provide open swimming lanes and smooth decorations; avoid sharp edges that can damage their eyes and wen. Tank length must exceed 30 inches (75 cm).
What are the exact water parameters for Fancy Goldfish?
Target pH 7.2 - 7.8, General Hardness 8 - 15 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 6 - 12 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 200 - 400 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 400 - 800 μS/cm, and temperature 65°F - 72°F (18°C - 22°C). They require cool water and heavy-duty filtration to manage waste production (10x turnover). Maintain ammonia and nitrite at 0 ppm; nitrates below 20 ppm with weekly 40% water changes. Use a canister filter rated for 3x tank volume. Avoid heaters unless room drops below 60°F (15.5°C). High temperatures above 75°F (24°C) cause oxygen depletion and shortened lifespan.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Fancy Goldfish?
They are omnivores requiring 30% protein, 10% fat, 60% plant matter. Feed specialized sinking goldfish pellets (Hikari Lionhead, Saki-Hikari) to prevent swim bladder issues, supplemented with deshelled peas, blanched spinach, duckweed, and bloodworms twice daily. Fast one day weekly. Avoid floating flakes, which cause air ingestion and buoyancy problems. Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.2 mg/L) but sensitive to formalin. Praziquantel is safe for flukes. Salt baths up to 5 ppt for 15 minutes treat external parasites. Quarantine with metronidazole for 10 days.
How to breed Fancy Goldfish with environmental triggers?
Condition a bonded pair (2-3 years old) with high-protein foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp) for 4 weeks. Simulate spring: Raise temperature to 70°F (21°C), increase photoperiod to 14 hours, perform 30% water changes with cool (60°F/15.5°C) water daily. Provide spawning mops or fine-leaf plants. Spawning occurs at dawn; male chases female; female releases 500-2000 eggs. Remove parents immediately (they eat eggs). Eggs hatch in 4-7 days at 68°F (20°C). Fry feed on infusoria for 5 days, then baby brine shrimp, then crushed pellets. Cull deformed fry weekly.

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