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    Goldfish were the first fish to be domesticated over a thousand years ago in China now  so many  different varieties of all shapes and sizes and all originated from the smaller Asian carp(Carassius Auratus)
     
    Originally bred as a food fish, natural colour being a silvery grey gold mutations started to appear and people started to breed the yellowish gold varieties. During the Song Dynasty it was forbidden for any one out side the imperial family to keep gold coloured fish and so breeding started to be concentrated on producing the red form, possibly why there are more red than the gold coloured fish today.
     
    The Ming Dynasty was the beginning of Goldfish being bred indoors and the development of the fancy varieties and introduced to Japan where are other varieties were developed.
     
    Goldfish were then introduced to Portugal where their popularity spread through out Europe, they represented symbols of good fortune and prosperity.
     

    1850 were introduced to North America and soon became very popular with the development of the comet Goldfish.

     

    Gold fish are fairly tolerant to a range of Ph values and temperatures providing not a drastic change however they are messy eaters and do produce a lot of waste that has to be dealt with in order to prevent toxic ammonia. There was a time when very often trout pellets were fed to Goldfish, these are too high in protein and specialist foods have a higher cardohydrate content.Goldfish are opportunist feeders will take a large range of foods, when in the fry stage they tend to be more carnivorous as they mature more herbivorous as a general rule but of course will snap up any thing on offer.
     
    The keeping of Goldfish in small unfiltered bowls is totally unacceptable, even if the fish can survive it will be stunted in growth and development, the build up of toxic waste  will at the very least make resistance to disease much lower.
     
    Partial water changes should be done with care, removing the chlorine either chemically or by allowing the water to stand, preferably with aeration, the fish need a wide surface area to allow for oxygen and a rule of thumb is about 15 imp gallons per fish for larger varieties such as shubunkins, comets etc and about 8 imp gallons per fish for the smaller fancy varieties.

    Ammonia can build up very quickly from the waste produced a seneye device will give a vital early warning, the longer fish are subjected to high ammonia increases the damage to their gills and other vital organs and if unchecked and not corrected with the ulitmate painful death.Most diseases can be prevented with good fish husbandry, correct feeding and good water quality, goldfish are covered with a protective slime and so there fore when being netted special care needs to be taken so as not to damage or remove the slime as this can lead to bacterial infections. Prevention is always better than cure!

    Common diseases,

    Listed are some of the more common diseases that can effect goldfish in every case poor water, presence of ammonia is the contributing factor that causes these problems, why early action or better still prevention will ensure healthy, happy fish this is exactly what a seneye will do, whether pond or aquaria,obviously aquariums have a small volume of water so pollution far more rapid, however out side ponds have other factors such as rotting leaves and other factors that can effect Ph, build up of ammonia  and general water quality. Feed fish with water!
     
    Ulcers, open pinky white wounds, caused by damage to natural slime, excessive high Ph, ammonia and nitrite levels. Action:water changes, add aquarium salt and appropriate anti bacterial medication
     
    Cloudy eye,eye takes on a cloudy ,opaque appearance, usually caused by poor diet and poor water conditions, vitamins and a proper diet with correction of water chemistry usually clears this condition. 
     
    Dropsy, bloated body with scales standing up, caused by build up of ammonia and bacteria, difficult to treat, improve water conditions, possibly an anti bacterial treatment.
     
    White spot, small spots resembling grains of salt, covering body, fins and fills, usually caused by stress, dramatic fluctuations in temperature, poor water quality etc. Correct water parameters, treat with anti parasitic medication, raising temperature can speed up the process.
     
    Bacterial infection,  reddening of skin and fins, open sores, caused by bad handling, loss of body slime, high ammonia and generally bad water conditions.Correct water, anti bacterial treatment and salt .
     
    Fungus, fluffy growths on wounds, usually following on from parasitic and ulcerated wounds, salt and anti fungal treatment, with good water quality.
     
    Finrot,bacterial infection causing frayed fins with pale reddish red on edge of fins and blood in the fin tissues.Can be caused by fighting, more often from poor water quality, trat with anti bacterial medication, salt and check water quality.
     
    Swimbladder disorder,  very often genetic but can be caused by poor water quality and too much dried foods, if not genetic then moisten feeds, reduce feed , check water and possibly try an anti bacterial treatment.
     

    There are of course other conditions that may arise, the reality is many can be prevented,this just a brief summary of the more likely conditions but as stated with good water management, feeding and general good  husbandry you should remain trouble free!

     

    There is very little difference in telling the gender of goldfish, some times depending on variety, body shape , size can be a factor, however in the breeding season, usually with a temperature increase and longer  light cycle  the males will develop white turbercle spots around the gills, fins and head be more stream lined where as the females will be noticeably filling with eggs.
    Goldfish eggs are adhesive and usually laid amongst the strands of oxygenating plants such as elodea or nylon spawning mats are some times provided. Commercial breeders may hand strip the eggs and then mix with the milt  and in a few  varieties because of their shape this is the only way to produce but care needs to be taken so as not to damage the fish.Usually to maximise fertility more than one male is used with each female, depending on the variety many thousands of eggs are laid, each batch then fertilised by the males. The onset of spawning is usually started with males chasing the females, nudging and encouraging the female to start laying her eggs.
     
    The goldfish should be fully developed, cramped conditions will stunt growth and development most breeders will use fish between 3-4 years old depending on various factors and varieties some times younger all this very much depends on how good water and dietry requirements are. Serious breeders will want to select their best fish to reproduce and with the hooded varieties such as orandas, lion heads, ranchus etc, it can take this time to develop the hoods and the shape and size of hood is a charateristic that is desired in these fish.

     
    EGGS AND FRY.
     
    The eggs will hatch between 48-72 hours depending on temperature, for two days the fry will absorb their yolk sac after all the nutrients have been absorbed the fry will become free swimming and will start searching for food organisms, if raised in aquaria very often brine shrimp is offered with other food alternatives. After a week or so the fry will begin to adopt the goldfish shape and will grow rapidly in the early days. As the fish get larger so will their need for a larger volume of water.

     
    Behaviour
     

    Goldfish kept under correct conditions are long lived and intelligent fish. They soon recognise who feeds them and will show great excitement when you approach their tank or pond.They make wonderful and interesting pets and it is our duty and responsibility as with any livestock to provide proper care and attention .

    There are somewhere in the region of three hundred recognised varieties , some like orandas with hoods or wen, some with no dorsal fins such as ranchus or lion heads,fish such as the ryukin with humped body, bubble eyes, telescope eyes, some will find some of the mutations grotesque, some will find interesting, such a huge selection there will be a fish that suits every one.Fantails have been popular for many years as have the orandas, the red cap oranda a particular favourite with many .