What Do Goldfish Eat?

Goldfish eat insects, plants, vegetables, and several other foods found underwater.

Goldfish are known to be opportunistic eaters who have no self-control and continue eating even when it leads to their detriment (kinda like me).

If you have a pet goldfish or are planning on getting a goldfish, it’s vital to know what they eat and what you should steer clear of at all times.

Let’s take a look at the answer to the burning question, “what do goldfish eat?”

What Do Goldfish Eat?

Goldfish munch on several aquatic food items available to them to survive in the wild; the food they consume can include insects, plants, insect larvae, other fish’s or insects’ eggs, and crustaceans.

The following are some of the many food items that can help goldfish live a healthy life in the wild and become bigger than their usual, relatively smaller size:

  • Algae
  • Water lettuce
  • Decaying plant matter
  • Tadpoles
  • Brine shrimp
  • Zooplankton
  • Worms
  • Anacharis
  • Fish eggs
  • Insect larvae
  • Blood worms
  • Baby lobsters
  • Mosquitos
  • Water fleas
  • Mysis shrimp

Since goldfish have an offensive approach to hunting and have relatively smaller mouths, they either catch their prey by surprise or consume eggs, larvae, and plants.

If you have a pet goldfish, you can keep their diet in check and feed them healthful foods.

Readily Available Food Items for Pet Goldfish

Goldfish that live in aquariums or ponds as pets have different eating habits and dietary needs than those in the wild.

However, most goldfish can survive on the same food type as previously mentioned – even in captivity.

You can also give your pet goldfish blood worms, brine, mosquito larva, chopped-up mussel, marine white fish, and squid as occasional special treats.

The following are some food items that goldfish owners typically opt for:

Pellets

Pellets are the most common type of fish food that goldfish owners opt for as they are readily available in pet stores.

API GOLDFISH PELLETS Fish Food 4-Ounce Container, Medium, Model:833B

They are also easy-to-store and help measure the amount of food a goldfish consumes.

Additionally, some pallets float on top of the water, making it easier for fish owners to clean their tanks and avoid tank pollution.

However, you must cross-check the pellets to ensure they’re not too big for your goldfish to eat.

Flakes

Flakes are another common goldfish food item that pet owners consider.

TetraFin Plus Goldfish Flakes 7.06 Ounces, Balanced Diet, With Algae To Promote Health

Although flakes lose their nutritional value once they are exposed to air, their availability and affordability make them an attractive option.

However, it’s important to note that, unlike pellets, flakes can pollute the water.

They can also cause digestion problems in goldfish because they can swallow air when trying to eat flakes.

Freeze-Dried Foods

If you’re looking for ways to create a balanced diet for your pet goldfish, freeze-dried foods are great options to consider.

They eliminate all risks of diseases passed through foods and offer lots of protein for your goldfish.

Live Foods

Aquarium snails, daphnia, tubifex worms, and brine shrimps are some common live food that’s goldfish owners consider for their pets.

However, since they are not as budget-friendly or readily available as the other food items, they are not commonly preferred.

Vegetables

Some of the most common vegetables used to feed goldfish include kale, lettuce, cucumber, spinach, and peas.

Pea is usually the most preferred vegetable for goldfish as it helps strengthen the goldfish’s metabolism.

When feeding your goldfish peas, you have to be extra cautious and remove their shells carefully.

To do this, you can heat them to soften and remove the shell, and cut them into small pieces.

It’s also important to note that goldfish should only eat 2 to 3 peas at a time.

Things to Steer Clear Of When Feeding Goldfish

Contrary to popular belief, it would be best if you did not feed your pet goldfish – or those in the pond – bread.

The gluten in bread is hard for the goldfish to digest, and the bread can even expand in the fish’s stomach to cause constipation or, worse, death.

The following are some other food items to steer clear of at all times:

  • Crackers
  • Beef
  • Cereal
  • Pork
  • Generic fish food
Also read: Can Betta Fish Eat Bread?

How Much Should Goldfish Eat?

The answer varies depending on where you’ve kept your pet goldfish and what you typically feed them.

For example, if you’re solely feeding your goldfish with pellets, it’s best to feed them 2 to 3 times a day or as per the label’s instructions.

Although goldfish eat any time they’re not resting, this does not mean you should constantly keep their tanks filled with food.

Doing so can lead to ammonia in the tank caused by the waste byproducts and become a danger to the goldfish.

It’ll be helpful to feed your goldfish a variety of foods in a day and only feed them as much as they can consume in a minute or two to avoid tank pollution.

Since the space isn’t limited in the wild and the living conditions are different, goldfish are constantly eating.

Essential Feeding Tips for Goldfish Owners

Now that we know what goldfish can and can’t eat and how often they should eat, let’s move on to some feeding tips that’ll prove advantageous for goldfish owners in the long run:

  1. Feed the goldfish as much as they can consume in one minute without causing the food to sink to the bottom and cause pollution. You will need to practice a few times before you can gauge how much to feed them at a time.
  2. Schedule your goldfish’s eating times and feed them at the same timings every day. This will train your goldfish to come to the surface for food every time you approach the tank to feed them. In time and with patience, you can also train them to eat food off your fingertips.
  3. Goldfish, like humans, can have different preferences and tastes in food. Give them 1 to 2 treats in a week and try different variations to find what your goldfish prefer.
  4. If you notice that your tank is getting dirty and polluted more quickly than usual, it might be a sign that you need to reduce the amount of food you’re giving them. However, it would help if you did so gradually to acclimate your pet to its new diet.
  5. Remember to clean the tank each time you feed the goldfish, as it can make the job relatively easier and help reduce the amount of waste inside the tank.
  6. Leave the food in the tank for about 15 minutes to ensure the goldfish are adequately fed, and then clean the tank (remove the excess food). Doing so will reduce the chances of the goldfish overeating or munching on stale food.

Do Goldfish Eat Fruits?

Yes, goldfish can eat fruits.

However, if you’re feeding them any hard fruits, make sure to boil or steam them to make them soft enough for them to eat.

You can feed your goldfish any of the following fruits:

  • Mangoes
  • Pears
  • Strawberries
  • Banana
  • Apple
  • Raspberries
  • Watermelon
  • Orange
  • Grapes
  • Corn
Also read: Can Betta Fish Eat Fruits?

My Goldfish Isn’t Growing – What Should I Feed It?

If your goldfish isn’t growing or it’s constantly losing its weight and color, it might be a sign that it’s not receiving the adequate nutrients it needs.

Although the tank size or living space plays a role in their size and diet, the nutrients have a relatively larger impact on their size.

The following are some nutrients that you will need to feed your goldfish:

Vitamins

Goldfish’s body typically produces most of the vitamins it requires, but there are some that you will need to provide them with through a healthy diet.

The essential vitamins to look for are vitamins A, D, K, and folic acid.

Most fish foods found at pet stores already contain such vitamins, but you should check the label to confirm.

You can also feed them live or frozen blood worms to ensure they get these vitamins.

Fats

Animal fat is more beneficial for goldfish than plant-based lipids.

However, it would be best to remember that their diet should only consist of 5% to 10% fats.

Proteins

Small goldfish require approximately 45% protein in their diet, while the bigger ones require about 30% protein.

Their diet needs to be high in protein, which is not the case for other aquatic fish.

It’s also pertinent to note that you should feed your goldfish plant-based proteins, as they are easier for the fish to digest.

Low Carbohydrates & Fiber

Their diet should only entail 10% or lower carbohydrates as more of it can cause diseases in goldfish.

Carbs and fiber are often listed as ‘Ash’ or ‘Bulk’ on the goldfish food packaging.

They also consume the aquatic plants in the aquarium or tank, which provides them with sufficient fiber, so you should prepare their diet plan accordingly.

Minerals

Goldfish do require small amounts of minerals, like us humans.

However, mineral deficiency is not a concern for them as they get most of their minerals from water.

Conclusion

To conclude, goldfish can consume several food items readily available either at home or a nearby pet store.

However, their overeating habits can cause them to lead unhealthy life.

For this reason, goldfish owners need to keep a close check on what their goldfish are eating, when they’re eating, and how much is being consumed in a day.

We hope this article has provided you with sufficient information to prepare your goldfish’s healthy diet plan.

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