Goldfish is one of the most popular and well-known pet-fish around the world- people who have the slightest idea about pet-fish know or heard about goldfish. Even my first aquarium fish was goldfish. And from my personal experience, I saw it’s one of the most commonly kept pet-fish.
Goldfish is a freshwater fish and comparatively small member of the carp family. There are a lot of varieties in size, coloration, fin configuration, and body. However, the feeding habit for almost all goldfish’s breeds or species is similar.
So, what do goldfish eat/ what does a goldfish eat?
Goldfish are omnivorous, opportunistic feeders, which means they eat almost anything available. In the wild, goldfish’s diet consists of:
- Various plant matters
- Insects
- Crustaceans (alive, dread or dried)
- Algae
- Small animals or insects
- Tadpoles
- Larvae,
- fFsh fry or eggs,
- Detritus,
- Shop-bought fish foods,
- Cereal
- Pasta etc.
In captivity, goldfish’s diet includes specific fish foods, shelled peas (without outer skin), worms, blanched green leafy vegetables, etc. and almost everything you could offer, as long as if Goldfish can fit in their mouth.
Like Koi fish, goldfish’s diet has a wide variety. They love to eat, and most of the time, they won’t stop eating on their own.
Today we’ll talk about goldfish diet; what do they eat, do they eat them or not. If you’re looking for these sorts of answers, please keep reading.
Goldfish Diet:
Goldfish’s diet slightly varies according to their environment and food availability. They aren’t picky about foods, will eat anything edible to them. In the wild and captivity, the goldfish’s diet varies. We will talk about goldfish diet by breaking them into different subheadings-
What Do Goldfish Eat in the Wild/ Goldfish Diet in Wild
Wild diet of a goldfish varies according to the food’s availability. They are omnivorous (eat both plants and meats) and opportunistic (eat anything available) feeder. In the wild, goldfish eat-
- Aquatic plants
- Plants matter
- Algae
- Detritus
- Dead plants or animal matters
- Insects
- Tadpoles
- Crustaceans
- Different bugs
- Worms
- Frogs
- Fish fry
- Fish eggs
- Larvae, etc.
What do baby goldfish eat in the wild
Baby goldfish need high protein foods for their growth and development. In the wild, baby goldfish eat-tender plant materials, zooplankton, small insects and bugs, mosquito larvae, small crustaceans, etc.
How big do goldfish get in the wild
While in captivity, goldfish grow around 6-8 inches (15-20 cm). However, in the wild, a goldfish can grow about 10-14 inches (25-35 cm).
Why do goldfish grow so big in the wild
Goldfish don’t stop eating on their own; they will keep eating as long as the foods are available to them. Hence, in captivity, they don’t have an unlimited food source, which is available in the wild. Another thing- high-protein diet and warmer water help grow bigger than captivity. As you’ll notice, goldfish grow quickly in summer at outdoor.
What Do Goldfish Eat In A Pond
Omnivore goldfish eat anything they can find edible, whether it’s in a pond, aquarium, or in the wild. In a pond, goldfish eat both natural food source like- plant matters, algae, detritus, bugs and insects, zooplankton, crustaceans, tadpoles, fish fry, etc. and the foods that are provided from the outside, like- krill, brine shrimp, bloodworms, crickets, etc.
Do goldfish eat algae in a pond/ Do goldfish eat algae
Goldfish eats food of both plant and animal origin. So, yes, goldfish eat algae and other aquatic plants available to them. They’re always looking for food, so if the algae are found in a pond or aquarium, they will eat it.
Can goldfish survive in a pond without being fed
Goldfish continuously forage their living area in search of food. They eat whatever foods are available. Goldfish can eat almost anything edible so, if your pond has some natural food source like- aquatic plants, insects, bugs, etc., that would be enough for them to survive. However, in the summer, goldfish need more food to stay healthy. And during the winter, they wouldn’t need much external food supply to survive. They will do fine on their own.
What Can I Feed My Goldfish/ What Can You Feed Goldfish
Choosing foods for your Goldfish is easy. They’re omnivores and eat almost anything you could offer if the foods are edible. Starting from common fish foods to different vegetables and fruits. There’re a variety of options available to you.
Things you can feed to your Goldfish:
- Fish Pellet Foods
- Flake Foods
- Frozen Foods
- Crickets (Any condition is fine like, frozen, live or dried)
- Bloodworms (Any condition)
- Brine shrimp (Any condition)
- Ghost shrimp (Any condition)
- Daphnia (Any condition)
- Mealworms (Any condition)
- Algae
- Algae Wafers
- Aquarium Plants
- Fruit
- Green Vegetables
- Leafy greens (lettuce, spinach, kale, chard, etc.)
- Mosquito Larvae
- Shrimp Pellet Foods
- Small Live Foods
- Squid
- Worms
- Homemade Fish Foods
- Insects
- Bugs
- Oatmeal
- Cereal
- Cooked Rice
- Shelled peas (skins removed)
- Diced broccoli
- Diced corn
- Diced and Peeled zucchini
- Diced carrots
- Cucumber slices
Vegetables, fruits and other foods other than the usual diet are best as supplementary for Goldfish.
Let’s break apart the goldfish diet into vegetables, fruits, and others.
What Vegetables Can Goldfish Eat / Vegetable Goldfish Can Eat:
You can feed these vegetables to a goldfish-
- Kale
- Chard
- Pumpkin
- Cabbage
- Lima beans
- Carrots
- Cucumber slices
- Peas
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Sweet potatoes
- Potatoes
- Zucchini
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Asparagus
- Avocado – in small amounts (high fat)
- Brussel sprouts
- Bok Choy
- Cilantro
- Parsley
- Red bell pepper
- Squash
The best way to feed vegetables and fruits to your Goldfish is to make them into smaller pieces that they can have with one bite and boil them before serving.
Can Goldfish Eat Fruit/Fruits Goldfish Can Eat:
You can feed these fruits to a goldfish-
- Bananas
- Berries
- Grapes
- Oranges
- Pears
- Watermelon
- Corn
- Apple
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Mangoes
Removing fruit’s skin and make them into smaller pieces is the best option before serving them to Goldfish.
Other Than Fruits And Vegetables, What Else Can You Feed To Your Goldfish:
- Brine shrimp
- Daphnia
- Earthworms
- Egg yolks (for Goldfish Fry)
- Algae
- Beef
- Black soldier fly larvae
- Bread
- Garlic
- Houseflies
- Krill
- Shrimp
- Turkey
- Freeze-dried Bloodworms
- Bloodworms
- Crickets
- Ghost shrimp
- Mealworms
- Small Live Foods
- Squid
- Homemade Fish Foods
- Bugs and Insects
What Home Made Food Can Goldfish Eat:
Homemade food is a good option for a goldfish. If you’re willing to put some effort into it, you will enjoy preparing homemade goldfish food.
Method 1 (goldfish food homemade)
You need:
- Small Pack Gelatin
- 1 cup Sardines
- 2 Tablespoons Water
- ¼ Cup Rice
- ½ Cup Green Beans
First, boil the beans and rice. Remove bean skins and mashed them with rice and sardines. Then, put the mixer into gelatin and stir to complete mixed up. After that, fridge the mixer on a tray. The next day, cut the mixer into smaller pieces and give them to your Goldfish.
Method 2 (goldfish food homemade)
You will need:
- 1 Small Carrot
- 1 Sweet Red/Orange/Yellow Peppe
- 1 Zucchini/Courgette
- 1 Small Trout (2 Mackerel or 2 Sardines)
- ¼ Small Butternut Squash
- 4 Packs Gelatin
- 2 Cups Water
- 4 Broccoli Florets
- 1 Tsp Paprika
- ¼ Cup Parsley
- ½ Cup Peas
First, steam carrot, broccoli, squash, peas, and peas to soften. Remove pea skins and mash them with parsley, other vegetables, fish and paprika together. Now, use the gelatin and some water with the mixer. Stir the whole thing for the complete mix-up. Make a layer with the mixer on a tray or something similar. Then, cut the layer into smaller pieces and serve them to Goldfish.
You can use your idea or recipe to create something similar for goldfish food homemade.
How often should I feed Goldfish/ How Often Do You Feed Goldfish
If foods are available to the Goldfish, they won’t stop eating on their own accord. So, the best practice is to maintain and follow a routine for feeding goldfish. Feed 2-3 times a day for 1-1.5 minutes long. More than that, it could cause indigestion problems for the Goldfish or make fishtank contaminated.
How Long Can Glofish Go Without Food
Usually, a goldfish can go about 3-7 days without food. But, a healthy adult goldfish can go around 2 weeks without eating. It doesn’t matter whether in the wild, pond or aquarium a healthy. Grown-up Goldfish can survive approximately 2 weeks without eating.
Foods Need to be Avoided giving to Goldfish:
As we already said, Goldfish can eat anything. They don’t pick the foods which are right for them. So, you need to know which foods to give or not. Some foods are better left from feeding a goldfish.
Bread, crackers, cheerios, fruits or vegetables without removing hard skin, hard-shelled bugs or insects like beetles, etc., aren’t good as fish food, and these aren’t good for Goldfish either.
Mostly avoid hard-skinned foods for any fish and Goldfish.
Can Goldfish Eat Rice
As a supplement food, Goldfish eat rice. Cooked rice is also an excellent option to try on your Goldfish. However, at a time, only a few grains of rice is right for a goldfish and not a daily basis. Feeding rice every day isn’t the right thing to do.
Can Goldfish Eat Bread
Omnivore goldfish can eat almost anything. So, they can eat bread too. However, bread isn’t a good choice to feed your Goldfish. Bread can swell up inside their intestines and cause constipation or even death in some cases. So, Goldfish can eat bread; but, it isn’t healthy for Goldfish.
What Can Goldfish Eat Instead of Fish Food
Fish food isn’t the only option for a goldfish. They’re part of the carp family and opportunistic omnivore feeders, lots of different foods you can offer to a goldfish besides fish food. Like- vegetables, spinach, lettuce, various fruits, worms, bugs or insects, tender plant parts, homemade foods, and many more a goldfish can eat instead of fish food. Check our previous sections of the article. We put lots of probable food names you can offer to Goldfish.
Can Goldfish Eat Banana/ Can I Feed My Fish Banana
Goldfish can almost all types of fruits. And they can eat the banana too. But like other fruits, banana needs to be peeled, and for the best, slice it into smaller pieces. This type of food is best as a treat; so, try not to give them regularly.
What Human Food Can Goldfish Eat
One of the best things about Goldfish, they can eat almost everything. So, feeding the Goldfish is fun and easy. A goldfish can eat plenty of human foods, pretty much anything humans eat. They can eat fruits, vegetables, rice, oatmeal, pasta, cereal, spinach, lettuce, and many more human foods.
Can You Feed Goldfish Cheerios
Cheerios are made mostly from oat flour, which isn’t suitable fish food. You can feed your goldfish cheerios, but that wouldn’t be a good idea. So, it’s better to play safe.
Can Goldfish Eat Chicken
Goldfish eat almost everything. So, you can offer some cooked chicken or beef sometimes. GOldfish can also eat raw chicken or beef too. Whether cooked or raw, cut them into smaller pieces before serving them to a goldfish.
What do goldfish eat in the ocean
Goldfish are part of the carp family, but the smaller version. Like other carps, goldfish eat anything starting from plant or plant matters to other little creatures. In the ocean, they eat aquatic plant matters, small crustaceans, fish fry, and other small ocean creatures, etc.
What do goldfish eat in captivity
In captivity, Goldfish’s or any other pet fish’s diet depends on the foods you provide to them. You can offer the usual goldfish flakes and other shop-bought fish foods. Other than those, Brine or Mysis shrimp, mosquito larvae, blood-worms, daphnia, chopped squid, mussel, marine white fish, different vegetables, and small bugs or insects could be a good supplement for your Goldfish.
Do Goldfish Eat Tadpoles
Although goldfish loves to eat almost anything, they probably won’t eat tadpoles. However, they can eat them if there isn’t any other food source available. So, goldfish can eat tadpoles, but the probability is low.
Do Goldfish Eat Frogs
There will be only a few things you can mention, which a goldfish don’t eat. If it’s eatable, they will eat it. Whether it’s a plant matter or other small animals, goldfish can eat them all. Hence, if your pond or aquarium has tiny frogs (as there’re frogs which are much bigger than a goldfish), goldfish probably will eat them too.
DO GOLDFISH EAT MOSQUITO LARVAE
Goldfish loves mosquito larvae. They will thrive in a mosquito larvae area. Goldfish fry’s growth will be double if there’s plenty of them. Also, if you want to reduce mosquito in your pond, just try few goldfish in there; and you’ll notice the magic.
Do Goldfish Eat Other Fish
Goldfish aren’t an aggressive fish species. Yes, they can eat anything from plants to other animals. Normally goldfish don’t eat each other or any other fish. However, if they happen to catch a fish fry, they won’t hesitate to eat them.
Do Goldfish Eat Snails
Goldfish are a natural predator of snails. They love to feast on small snails that can fit in their mouth. Even they can go for bigger ones too unless those are too big for them.
Do Goldfish Eat Shrimp
One of the best things about goldfish, you don’t have to think too much about feeding them. That’s why goldfish are considered one of the easiest fish to keep. And yes, goldfish do eat shrimp.
Do Goldfish Eat Their Babies
Goldfish eat their own eggs and fry/baby. Goldfish consider everything as foods, as long as they are edible and can fit in their mouth. If you notice eggs, the best practice is moving the adult goldfish to a different tank until the fries are grown.
Do Goldfish Eat Guppies/ Guppy Fry
Although, the goldfish isn’t predatory fish. They eat other smaller fish or fish fry, even their own. Hence, a goldfish will eat guppy fry or adult guppy if they can catch them.
Do Goldfish Eat Duckweed
Duckweed is one of the most common floating plants for a goldfish tank. Most fish love to snack on duckweed; it’s also nutritious and a nice treat for your goldfish too. SO, do goldfish eat duckweed? – yes, they do.
Do Goldfish Eat Plants
As we’ve already mentioned several times in this article, goldfish is an omnivorous fish. They eat everything they can bite on. Their diet consists of plants, plant matters, and other small insects, bugs, or aquatic animals. And a large portion of their diet is plants and plant materials.
Winding Up:
Goldfish are easy and fun to have. Their diet consists of huge varieties. So, you’ll never get bored feeding goldfish. Goldfish can eat anything offered if those foods are edible.
Try different foods from time to time; it’ll be fun and exciting doing so. Don’t stick to only fish foods or flakes.
Remember, you can offer anything to a goldfish with the right way and moderate amount. Keep treats as treats; it’s better not to make them the usual diet.
Like always, until next time, please stay safe and sound, and stay with us with your support. We will be pleased if you leave your opinion in the comment section.