Rob1989
I buy my fish at nnnnnn
Posts: 27
Posted: 5/7/02 12:44 pm
What is a good beginner fish?
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What is a good breed of goldfish to start with?? I would prefer to have something that is bit hardier. Neptune was pretty strong, but I just think I would be better off with something a bit hardier. I had a fantail, but I heard comets were a little hardier.
any ideas would be helpful
Rob
Edited by: Rachel at: 4/21/03 7:11:45 pm
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jsrtist
Goldfish Supporter
Posts: 988
Posted: 5/7/02 12:53 pm
Re: Question about breeds
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Hi,
I'm sorry to hear about Neptune. You're right about comets being very hardy, mine has survived everything. However they grow very big very fast and as I've discovered probably arent the best tank fish. mine has a new tank and he's still growing and will probably outgrow it. I think as far as the fancier varieties go, the fantails are probably the hardiest. Good luck with a new fish.
~ Jenny~ and my babies • Right? • Meeko • Buck •
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Lahela
I like to show my fish off
Posts: 331
Posted: 5/7/02 1:13 pm
Re: Question about breeds
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Fantails are the more hardy of the fancy varieties.
However most people who own them, that I've talked to, say that they are very sensitive to ammonia. They just don't react well to it. Not that any fish does, but fantails more so than the others. I'm not sure how much truth there is too it, but looking at the length of time these folks have kept fantails I'm more inclined to believe them.
Shubunkins are nice fish. Kind of like the comet and common, but a little bit fancier.
If you have the space for a fish to grow quickly I'd say get a comet, common, or a shubunkin.
Also I've had a lot of luck with lionheads(knock on wood). People say that they are hard fish to care for, but mine have been very healthy so far. I suppose maybe they were talking about the ones that have the huge headgrowths...dunno.
Well, anyway, I'm sure I wasn't a heck of a lot of help here. Just decided to post my thoughts.
Definatly stay away from the orandas. Despite what it looks like, they can be difficult fish. I've got two tanks with orandas, and they are my most difficult and disease prone fish that I've ever had. *sighs* But that just comes from my own observations.
~ Lahela
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massmacada
What are these words under my name?
Posts: 120
Posted: 5/7/02 2:04 pm
Re: Question about breeds
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Sorry for your loss. Common goldfish may be a good choice to start with? They come in many colors. The orange one is so classic. The white one is pretty too. Also, they are cheaper than fancy goldfish.
x-y=0
What the world would be without fishes and turtles...
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Mass Macada
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Luvmyfish
I didn't cycle my tank
Posts: 50
Posted: 5/7/02 3:37 pm
Re: Question about breeds
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I wouldn't go for a common goldfish, they grow much bigger than a comet. I have three comets and have had great success in keeping them alive and illness free for 5 years. Two of them are approximately 5 inches long (including tail) and the smaller one is about half that size (just got her two months ago).
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orandaluva
I bought a heater for the tank
Posts: 279
Posted: 5/8/02 11:15 am
.......
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if its a hardy fish your looking for deffinatly dont pick black moors, because they have weeker emune systems due to breeding techniques.
what about ryukins, theyre cool!!
oranda's are really pretty and in my opinion, the prettiest of all the fancies. as long as you give them enough room, good water etc. they should be fine.
this may sound REALLY mean and dont get me wrong, commons are full of character, but if you looking for someting more intrieging go for something a little more fancy
good luck!! peace out _____\/
ps: i've also found that with the big fancy ones they tend not to like strong currents.
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mary
I buy my fish at nnnnnn
Posts: 31
Posted: 5/8/02 12:18 pm
your next fish-
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Rob, I'm sorry about Neptune. I know you did the best you could for him.
Mine is a moor and actually broke in my first tank - I've had him a year now. Moors are pretty hardy, I think, but all the books I've read say fantails are actually hardier. Or you could go for a shubunkin or comet. Moors and fantails need really clean water (Gilbert's prone to get fungus if I don't keep the water really clean), but the shubunkins and comets are a little tougher.
HTH, and good luck.
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Billius
I own a fish bowl
Posts: 3
Posted: 5/8/02 5:05 pm
Breeds
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I started with a Red and White Oranda. He's just fine, and really healthy. I would recommend this fish, but cycle the tank first. Also do frequent water changes (one every two days, 25%). With proper care, it is very hardy and extremely beautiful.
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fishfaye20
I buy my fish at nnnnnn
Posts: 38
Posted: 5/8/02 5:15 pm
Re: Breeds
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I'd go with a common goldfish or Shubunkin if you have the space. They are very hardy and great goldfish to have!
*~Faye~*
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Florissa
Goldfish Disease Moderator
Posts: 898
Posted: 5/8/02 5:20 pm
Re: Breeds
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I would suggest water changes of 10-15% every other day until the ammonia reads 0ppm. After the tank is cycled you only need to do 10-15% once a week. That is, after the ammonia level reads oppm. I think that 25% every other day is way too much and could shock the fish
~Sara~
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Billius
I own a fish bowl
Posts: 19
Posted: 5/8/02 6:42 pm
Breeds
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A 25% water change done with a tube (no vacuum attachment) will not shock the fish. My fish think it is interesting and stare at it happily.
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Rob1989
I buy my fish at nnnnnn
Posts: 31
Posted: 5/8/02 7:20 pm
Re: Breeds
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Thanks everyone
I had gotten the ammonia levels down a lot in a past week using a lot of your suggestions. What I think may have caused me to lose Neptune was I believe I had a ph crash or something. Not sure
Rob
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