Expert aquarists may opt to use artificial plants in their goldfish tanks instead of real ones so as to avoid worrying about any of them being eaten by their fish.
However, this option isn’t ideal as plants help oxygenate the tank water while also providing vital nutrients to an aquarium – some being easily eaten by goldfish while others not so easily so.
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Grapes
Yes, goldfish can eat grapes as treats due to the sugar present. We advise only feeding this food a few times each week as an occasional treat.
Corn is another good protein-rich food choice to feed to fish, though make sure it’s cooked first for best results. Kale can also provide them with plenty of essential fiber.
Grow elodea in your aquarium as it requires minimal care, prefers low light conditions, and blooms quickly – though only as an interim measure as these plants rot quickly. Marimo moss balls also look fantastic and won’t get eaten by goldfish!
Oranges
Goldfish must consume cooked fruits and vegetables to prevent any possible bacterial infections from the raw foods they ingest, with oranges cut into small pieces for ease of consumption by their bodies.
These plants are packed with fiber, vitamin C and potassium – essential components to improving water quality in an aquarium – as they help absorb waste products that accumulate.
Java fern (Microsorium pteropus) makes an excellent alternative to live plants as a supplement in water quality improvement, providing hiding spaces for Goldfish while simultaneously improving overall water quality. This plant should ideally be grown attached to either bogwood or terracotta sticks for best results.
Broccoli
Goldfish possess pharyngeal teeth used to grind up food before it is swallowed, as well as great “sifters”, often seen taking mouthfuls of substrate or plants from their environment before expertly discarding whatever they don’t want with an expert flick of their fins.
Boiled broccoli can be beneficial to goldfish as it’s packed full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Give each fish two pellet-sized pieces twice weekly.
Peas are another delicious treat that goldfish will appreciate, providing them with plenty of vitamin C, folic acid and potassium. Garden or sugar peas work just fine; just remember to cut them before feeding them to your goldfish!
Cabbage
Goldfish are omnivorous scavengers and in their natural environment they consume plant matter as part of their diet. By keeping aquatic plants in your tank, you can ensure your goldfish receive enough of these essential vitamins.
Add a bit of greenery to your fish tank by including some chard or spinach in it – these leafy veggies are easy for goldfish to digest and can provide many vital nutrients.
Kale is another easy food choice that goldfish will find pleasing. Packed full of essential vitamins A, B1 (thiamine) and C as well as fiber for healthy digestion, simply boil a piece of kale until soft, chop it into bite-sized pieces before feeding to your goldfish.
Lima Beans
Goldfish naturally live among plants in their native environment, so having a planted aquarium is an effective way to create this natural setting for them. When choosing plants that will withstand nibbling and digging from fishes, thin leaves or delicate branches won’t hold up long.
There are various plants that can withstand this, with Java Fern (Microcarpus tetragonolobus) being one of the more durable species. Other options may include Rotala and Amazon sword (Echinodorus amazonicus) both having tougher leaves. Artificial plants may be used, although their sharp edges could potentially irritate fish as well as transmit parasitic infections.
Kale
Goldfish require a diet rich in vegetables and fruit for proper digestion of waste products they produce, as well as providing them with essential nutrients. Live plants provide oxygen during the daytime while at night they can remove carbon dioxide. Unfortunately, excessively planted tanks may quickly deplete this essential source of oxygen.
Choose durable plants like Java fern and Anubias that can withstand your goldfish’s nibbling and digging, such as Elodea and Swiss Chard sedges. Kale is also an excellent option, packed with vitamins A and C and should be chopped prior to feeding it to your fish.