Goldfish are omnivores in nature, feeding on both plants and animal matter. When kept in an aquarium environment however, this often means aquatic plants as well as aquatic worms, insect larvae and crustaceans being consumed by these aquatic predators.
Stick with high quality pellets or flakes made specifically for goldfish rather than trying to supplement with other foods. Un-eaten food creates dangerous ammonia and nitrite levels in water while adding excess nutrients that encourage algae growth.
Contents
Pellets
Goldfish fisheries provide their goldfish with an assortment of vegetables, such as cabbage and broccoli, which are high in nutrition yet low in fat and also provide fiber for healthy digestion. When feeding this diet to their goldfish, cut into smaller pieces before feeding it back.
Your goldfish will enjoy eating freeze-dried foods such as brine shrimp and daphnia, but avoid overfeeding, as any uneaten food can create harmful levels of ammonia and nitrite in the tank water, as well as release nutrients that promote algae growth. To make sure they can digest it easily, pre-soak API Fish Flakes in tank water beforehand for optimum digestion – these slow sinking treats contain many specific nutrients unavailable elsewhere such as Antarctic squid, krill as well as seaweed extracts vegetable extracts fruit vitamins etc.
Live Food
Goldfish fish naturally feed along the bottoms of their underwater environments, snacking on any source of sustenance they find there ranging from algae blooms and detritus accumulated from fellow tank inhabitants, to any plants not poisonous to them. If possible, high quality, carb-rich food pellets or flakes would provide optimal nourishment for goldfish.
Add freeze-dried and live food varieties, like mosquito larvae, daphnia, tubifex worms or brine shrimp, to your goldfish’s diet for variety and optimal health. Feed small amounts twice daily for approximately two minutes for best results.
Fruits
Goldfish are omnivorous predators, so they require fruit for nourishment that supports digestion and promotes dental health. Bananas make an excellent option; simply peel and cut into bite-size chunks before feeding to your fish.
Watermelon can also make for an occasional treat for your goldfish, though you must be cautious not to give too much at once, since too large a piece could choke and kill them. Watermelons contain copper, potassium and vitamin B5, all essential elements for healthful goldfish living in captivity.
Green vegetables such as kale can also provide your goldfish with essential nutrition, but be sure to steam and chop the leaves into pebble-sized pieces prior to giving it them. Do this only twice weekly as too many greens could overwhelm their digestive systems and become toxic for their wellbeing.
Vegetables
Goldfish are omnivorous predators in their natural environments and consume plants and other creatures as food sources. As such, supplementing their diets with vegetables and fruit will provide essential nutrition.
Spinach is one of the best sources of essential iron and other minerals for goldfish, providing essential nutrition such as fiber. When feeding it to them it should be washed first to soften up its leaves before offering as food – however cooking destroys many vital vitamins!
Pumpkin is another vegetable bursting with Vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, and other vital nutrients for goldfish. Before feeding it to them, be sure to wash and cut into pellet-sized pieces first; your fish can receive two or more pieces every week.
Nutrient Supplements
Goldfish can enjoy eating a range of other foods as supplements to their regular diet, such as red leaf lettuce which they find easy to chew without contributing to stomachaches or baby peas which add some delicious nutrition. Avoid feeding them meat as this could lead to bloating and swim bladder disease.
Many pet stores stock an extensive variety of freeze-dried food that’s nutritionally balanced for Goldfish. Brine shrimp, blood worms, tubifex worms and daphnia are often available. Always soak any frozen or freeze-dried food first in water to prevent digestive problems for your fish.
