Goldfish are omnivorous fish and should include shrimp as part of their diet, but excessive consumption could cause digestive issues and lead to weight gain.
To avoid this situation, it is advisable to feed goldfish dried shrimp instead of live ones. Frozen or freeze-dried shrimp can usually be found at most pet stores.
Contents
Brine shrimp
Brine shrimp provides goldfish with essential protein sources, but only in moderation as their digestive systems cannot handle red meat. Fatty foods like bread can become trapped within their intestines, potentially leading to their death by aspiration.
Brine shrimp is an excellent alternative to fish flake food for domestic aquarists. It presents less risk of harboring bacteria and parasites harmful to goldfish. When selecting your supplier, ensure they offer quality frozen brine shrimp as cheap frozen varieties may contain preservatives which are harmful.
Goldfish belong to the crustacean subphylum (Crustacea). Crustaceans are distinguished by hard exoskeletons, segmented bodies and appendages which act as jaws.
Daphnia
Goldfish require a diverse diet in order to live long, happy lives. Their food may include live and freeze-dried sources like brine shrimp, earthworms, bloodworms, daphnia and crickets – high-protein sources that boost growth and vitality – or plant matter such as algae to provide essential vitamins.
Daphnia pellets provide your goldfish with essential proteins, minerals and vitamins necessary for healthy living. However, feed in moderation as too much food could potentially be detrimental to its wellbeing.
Frozen and freeze-dried daphnia are readily available from most pet stores and can easily be rehydrated before feeding to your goldfish. You can also cultivate daphnia yourself – just ensure to use fresh, clean water with regular 10% water changes to maintain water quality.
Bloodworms
Goldfish are omnivorous fish that will consume nearly anything they come across in their aquarium, including bloodworms which provide essential protein sources. But as with anything, too much bloodworm consumption could result in digestive issues like constipation or swim bladder disease if fed regularly to your Goldfish.
Frozen bloodworms are the preferred option when feeding bloodworms to Goldfish. Frozen ones are easier to store, less likely to carry parasites that could harm them and more digestible by their fish. Before giving these treats, however, be sure to soak them briefly in tank water first; this will allow the expanded structure of frozen worms to expand more easily for digestion.
Tubifex worms
Goldfish are omnivorous fish, meaning they consume both fresh and frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia and tubifex worms, vegetables such as boiled peas with the outer tough shell removed, as well as live foods that could contain bacteria or parasites that harm them. Live foods should always be avoided due to possible bacteria/parasite contamination that could harm them.
Goldfish can easily overfeed, so it is vital that their appetites are monitored closely. Aim for feedings every 30 seconds or less if possible as overfeeding may lead to swim bladder disease and block their intestines. Use commercial pellets or flakes specifically formulated for their unique digestive systems as well as offering them blanched green leafy vegetables such as zucchini or cucumber as treats for your goldfish.
Oatmeal
Goldfish are omnivorous fish, meaning they need a wide range of foods in order to remain healthy. While some types of foods such as oatmeal may cause digestive issues in fish, excess amounts should only be fed on occasion as too much oats could potentially wreak havoc with their health.
Your goldfish should also receive leafy vegetables such as broccoli, kale and spinach as they provide vital vitamins and minerals essential for their wellbeing. When feeding these types of vegetables to them it’s advisable to first boil it first so as to soften its texture for easier consumption by the fish.
Also, give your fish fresh or frozen spirulina, brine shrimp, daphnia and bloodworms; all nutritious options not commonly found in commercial goldfish food.
