Sitemaps

What kind of fish should i get2007-11-24 23:41:59

I have a 55 gallon aquarium and i know that my boyfriend wants goldfish. So.What goes with goldfish?

Answers:

Just to correct this goldfish business, goldfish are labeled a coldwater species because they are naturally found in and can live in colder water than tropical species. Their ideal temperature is anywhere within 70-75 degrees F but they CAN adapt to and live in water that is warmer (as well as colder) without adverse effects provided the change is gradual. They are one of the most adaptable and hardy species of aquarium fish.

As mentioned, the dissolved oxygen level is far lower in warmer water than in cooler water. This has more to do with the number of fish you can successfully house in your aquarium. This does not mean that goldfish can not live in warmer water. For those of you who don't believe me I'll insert this study:

http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/reprint/38.

if you don't want to read it let me direct you to the results: "Blood from Goldfish acclimatized to temperatures near the extremes of their thermal range shows no difference from normal blood in oxygen capacity."

The experiment used 30 degrees C or 86 F as the max. Therefore, it shows that they can successfully adapt to a warmer temperature with no significant change in oxygen capacity in their blood. A temperature between 76-78 F would be fine to house both goldfish and tropicals.

Also, the oxygen affinity of carp blood (a relative of the goldfish) is far higher than most fish. Goldfish are adapted to changes in oxygen level of the water and can easily be acclimatized to warmer temperatures.