Hi. I bought 4 little fantails for my pond in the summer and brought them inside when fall came. They're in a 20 gallon tank and growing quickly. I would like to give them a treat occasionally and have offered them peas and lettuce, as suggested on this website. They are not interested in either. An employee at the pet store suggested that I cut a small piece from an orange and drop it into the tank;she said that goldfish love oranges and that it won't hurt them. She also said that the orange will make their colour 'orangier'. Can anyone please tell me weather this is true or not? I don't want to do anything to hurt the little critters.
Thanks for your time,
Marianne

Your tank is about half the size it should be, ideally that is so I would reserve the orange for just before a water change because the acid in the orange might throw your pH off a bit. Otherwise oranges are a great treat for goldies. Mine loooove oranges I'm not sure it does anything to their color though , I don't think it would but I'm far from being an expert.

Your fantails should be okay til summer as long as you watch your water params and do weekly water changes like usual. How big are they? Oranges have a lot of vitamins in them, but for orangier oranges, try feeding spirulina. Squash and pumpkin also bring out the oranges. There are LOTS of yummy food ideas in the goldfish food section so check that out

Hi. Thanks for the advice. My fish are between 2-1/2 and 4 inches long. They were all the same size when I got them but they are growing differently. As you know. they all have they're own personalities! The smallest one has tail fins that curl in and when it's not feedig or hanging out with the others. it spend its time 'standing' on its head in one particular corner of the tank.

I also have a head stander and I love his little self to bits. I was thinking he had swim bladder at first but he has never displayed any wiggly swimming traits, is very active, eats like a piggie and is first mouth up for treats so I reckon I've just got an eccentric fish (too!)..

I also have a head stander and I love his little self to bits. I was thinking he had swim bladder at first but he has never displayed any wiggly swimming traits, is very active, eats like a piggie and is first mouth up for treats so I reckon I've just got an eccentric fish (too!)..