We all know that goldfish are one of the most popular pet fish in the world aquarium. They’re easy to take care of, colorful, and fun to watch and they can live for years if cared for properly. But what do goldfish eat? And what should you feed them? In this article, I’ll answer these questions and more so that you can keep your goldfish healthy for many years.
- 1 What Do Goldfish Eat In The Wild?
- 2 What Type Of Food Does Goldfish Eat?
- 3 Which One Is The Best Goldfish Food?
- 4 Where To Buy Goldfish Food?
- 5 Can Goldfish Eat Betta Food?
- 6 Do Goldfish Eat Oatmeal?
- 7 Do Goldfish Eat Plant Roots?
- 8 What Do Goldfish Babies Eat?
- 9 What Plants Do Goldfish Like To Eat?
- 10 Do Goldfish Eat Algae?
- 11 How Often Should You Feed Your Goldfish?
- 12 How Much Should You Feed Your Goldfish?
- 13 How Long Can Goldfish Live Without Food?
- 14 Conclusion
What Do Goldfish Eat In The Wild?
When they’re in the wild, goldfish will eat a variety of different foods. They are omnivorous and will eat plant matter, insects, small fish, and algae. If you have never had a goldfish before then it is likely that you don’t know exactly what you should feed your pet goldfish. Don’t worry later in this article, I will discuss this topic in detail.
What Type Of Food Does Goldfish Eat?
Goldfish can eat a wide variety of food, which include:
- Fish Flakes
- Pellets
- Vegetables
- Freeze-Dried Food
You can read more about goldfish food types HERE in this article.
Which One Is The Best Goldfish Food?
While there isn’t really a “best” goldfish food, Hikori freeze-dried brine shrimp is my favorite. It offers lots of protein and has no risk of infection because it’s freeze-dried food.
Where To Buy Goldfish Food?
The best place to buy goldfish food is at a pet store. There are many different kinds of goldfish food available, including pellets and flake. You can buy it from online stores (e.g. Amazon) as well.
If you want to save money, consider buying generic brands of the type of food your fish eats most often. For example, if you want to buy flakes but don’t want to pay extra for one brand over another, then look into buying generic flakes instead of famous brands. The best way to find out what brand or type of goldfish food is best for your fish is by reading reviews online or asking around at work.
Can Goldfish Eat Betta Food?
The short answer is: yes, it’s fine to feed your goldfish with betta food.
You can read more about this topic in our other article on this subject. We also have other lots of information as well.
Do Goldfish Eat Oatmeal?
The answer is yes, but you have to be careful with it. Oatmeal is an excellent treat for goldfish because it’s high in protein and carbohydrates. However, if you give your fish too much oatmeal they could get constipated or even die. Goldfish are not able to digest large amounts of fiber due to their small intestines so you’ll need to limit how much oatmeal you feed them at once. The best way to do this would be a little bit at a time over the course of a few days as opposed to just giving them a bowl full of food all at once.
Also, keep in mind that oatmeal contains lots of fat which can be bad for your fish if he eats too much at once! The best way around this problem is by cooking up some old-fashioned oats into some tasty treats such as baked goods or baked oatcakes (rather than feeding him straight-up uncooked flakes).
Do Goldfish Eat Plant Roots?
Yes, if given the opportunity. Goldfish are omnivorous and will eat both plant and nonvegetarian food. Plant roots are on their list of options as long as they aren’t being fed other foods.
If you have an aquarium with a large number of plants, then introducing some goldfish into that setup is your best bet for keeping everything alive in the long run. This is because goldfish like to eat plant roots, so they’ll keep your aquarium cleaner by eating any dead leaves or algae that might otherwise cause problems over time.
If you don’t want them eating anything but their standard diet then you’ll have to feed them regularly and properly. So they don’t have to eat plant roots to fill their bellies.
What Do Goldfish Babies Eat?
In terms of diet, goldfish babies will eat the same food that the adults do. The difference is that they need it in smaller doses and more frequently. Feed them once or twice a day instead of once every other day. And don’t overfeed them either, this will help to keep their digestive systems running smoothly.
But if you want to be a bit more specific then, In my opinion, infusoria is the best food type for goldfish babies because it is easily digestible and it contains all the nutrients they need.
What Plants Do Goldfish Like To Eat?
Goldfish are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and meat. Goldfish can eat many types of aquatic plants including:
- Duckweed,
- Water Lettuce (Eichornia crassipes),
- Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes),
- Java Moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri),
- Java Fern (Vesicularia dubyana)
- Anubias Barteri
However, not all plants are safe for goldfish to eat. Some of the plants that are toxic to them include:
- Azalea
- Begonia
- Buttercup
- Calla Lily
- Caladium (Elephant Ear)
Do Goldfish Eat Algae?
Yes, Algae is a good source of vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber. It contains fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6, which are known to help in heart health by lowering cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of heart disease. The presence of these two fatty acids also means that your fish will have better vision, skin quality, and coat coloring. Something that all aquarists will appreciate.
You can read more about it HERE in this article.
How Often Should You Feed Your Goldfish?
The recommended feeding time is 2-3 times a day. This can vary depending on the age of your goldfish and its size, but in general, you should be feeding them around one tablespoon (15 ml) of food 2 to 3 times a day.
If you have larger fish that are eating more than this, then it is okay to increase the amount of food you give them until they are no longer hungry. However, do not feed too much at one time or leave uneaten food in their bowl as this can cause health problems such as constipation and bloat.
Do not overfeed your fish. I don’t know how many times I have said this in my article but I know there are some people out there who will still make this mistake. Goldfish should only eat what they need to because if there is extra food then it will rot which could lead to disease among other things like an ammonia spike from decaying matter in your aquarium.
There can also be a lack of oxygenation caused by rotting food debris floating around inside your tank’s filter system causing harm such as suffocating beneficial bacteria colonies and causing nitrates levels to rise which may end up killing off some/all aquatic life because they cannot breathe anymore.
How Much Should You Feed Your Goldfish?
The amount of food you feed your goldfish will depend on their size. If your goldfish is very small, then give it a small amount of food. If it is large, then you should definitely increase the amount. A good rule of thumb is to feed your goldfish the amount of food that he/she can easily eat within 1 min.
How Long Can Goldfish Live Without Food?
Goldfish can survive for a long time without food, but they will start to starve after 8 to 14 days. During this time, they will start eating algae that grow on the bottom of the aquarium and any leftover food in the tank.
Conclusion
Goldfish are a great pet to have, but knowing when and what they eat, is important. By following the guidelines above, you should be able to keep your goldfish healthy and happy for a long time. Best of luck!