Goldfish fish thrive when fed a diet rich in vegetables from home and freeze-dried foods from pet stores such as brine shrimp and blood worms containing high levels of carotene for vibrant color health and vibrant fins.
Avoid giving bread, as this can bloat in their stomachs and block the digestive tract. Instead, feed them boiled vegetables and fruit.
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Brine shrimp
Goldfish fishes like to feed on brine shrimp, which contain protein that contributes to healthy development and growth. You can raise brine shrimp at home or purchase them in pet stores; just be mindful not to overfeed your fish as that could lead them to become obese and eventually bloat.
Live food sources, like blood worms, tubifex worms, daphnia and aquarium snails can provide another good source of protein for your pet. If cultivating them is too challenging for you, freeze-dried alternatives can often be found at pet stores.
Vegetables
Goldfish fishes love munching on cabbage florets, which provide essential vitamins and minerals as well as fiber that assists with digestion. You can use your fingers to gently separate the florets before feeding them to your goldfish – however this should only happen once or twice every week as too much cabbage can lead to digestive issues in some individuals.
Peas are another beneficial food choice for your goldfish, providing high amounts of fiber which aid digestion and help the fish remain hydrated. Frozen foods such as blood worms, mosquito larvae and brine shrimp may be suitable as alternatives if time does not allow for homemade meals to be prepared by you.
Fruits
Goldfish require a varied diet for optimal health. There are numerous sources available to supplement their flakes diet such as flies, mosquito larvae and ants; store-bought varieties are more sanitary as they don’t contain pesticides or fertilizer that could pollute their water environment.
Frozen peas are another excellent source of fiber-rich food to aid goldfish digestion, providing another great option. Just ensure they are boiled for one minute with their skin removed prior to giving to your fish to avoid choking hazards or overfeeding, which could result in bloating or digestive issues for them.
Gel food
Goldfish in their natural environment are omnivores and have evolved their digestive systems to effectively digest all types of food under water. Gel foods use gelatin as an adhesive binding component to combine various ingredients into one nourishing moist product that can be fed directly to goldfish instead of flake food or pellet food.
Goldfish love cabbage and beans for their abundant plant protein and minerals content, and peas for their high fiber content and digestive aid properties – plus peas are easily accessible to goldfish thanks to sinking to the bottom of their tank!
Insects
Goldfish in the wild spend their days digging through mud for fish eggs, snails, and aquatic plants; to recreate this experience at home, give your goldfish live or freeze-dried food every day.
Feed them boiled vegetables such as carrots, cabbage and kale that are full of plant proteins, nutrients and fiber to aid digestion. Just be sure to cut up into bite-size pieces for easier eating!
Oranges make for a healthy treat for goldfish that is packed with essential vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, Niacin, Potassium and Manganese. Just be mindful to feed only small slices at once to avoid digestive issues!
Worms
Goldfish enjoy munching on mosquito larvae, particularly in outdoor ponds. You can also feed them ants, flies and other insects from your yard; however it’s advisable to buy store-bought insects as these will be more sanitary and less likely to contain pollen, insecticides or fertilizer from your lawn.
Goldfish require protein supplements to stay healthy, and freeze-dried foods provide an easy and convenient solution. Available at most pet stores, these frozen treats include bloodworms, brine shrimp, tubifex worms or daphnia for example.
Aquatic plants
Goldfish enjoy snacking on various aquatic plants and animals such as invertebrates, fruits, and vegetables. A varied diet will ensure their overall wellbeing while helping prevent digestive issues like bloating.
Watermelons make an excellent snack for goldfish as they contain vitamins A, B1, Thiamine (Thiamine) and C and are high in fiber for digestion support. Cucumbers and bananas can also make great options – you could even offer your pet some water-based fruits such as raspberries or raisins to try!
