When keeping goldfish, you may face situations where you run out of food. In such cases, boiled egg yolks and spinach can be helpful.
However, it’s important to note that some food substitutes can lead to indigestion, causing illness or rapidly deteriorating water quality. This article introduces recommended food substitutes that can be used as goldfish food from items found at home, as well as unsuitable foods, so please refer to it for reference.
Suitable Food Substitutes for Goldfish
Boiled Egg Yolk
Boiled egg yolk is an excellent food for goldfish. The main reason is that the nutrients found in the yolk contribute to the growth and health of goldfish.
Egg yolk is rich in protein and contains essential vitamins and minerals, contributing to the improvement of the goldfish’s immune system. Furthermore, it is soft and easy to digest, making it safe for even small goldfish to eat.
Wheat Flour
Wheat flour is readily available and can be used as goldfish food. The reason is that wheat flour is rich in carbohydrates, providing energy to goldfish.
Moreover, by mixing wheat flour with water to create a paste-like consistency, it can be adjusted to a form that is easy for goldfish to eat and digest. However, if wheat flour is used as the sole food for an extended period, it can lead to nutritional imbalances, so it’s important to combine it with other ingredients to maintain balance.
Spinach
Spinach is one of the ideal choices as a substitute food for goldfish. Spinach is rich in vitamins A and C, which not only help maintain the vibrant colors of goldfish but also play a crucial role in maintaining their health.
Additionally, spinach is high in fiber, making it suitable for supporting the health of the goldfish’s digestive system. However, when feeding spinach, it’s important to chop it finely and lightly boil it to make it easier to digest.
Finely Chopped Cabbage
Cabbage is an excellent ingredient that can be used as a substitute food for goldfish. The nutrients found in cabbage, particularly vitamin K and vitamin C, help strengthen the goldfish’s immune system and maintain their health.
Cabbage is soft and easily breaks down into a form that goldfish can eat in the water, making it especially suitable for small or young goldfish. When feeding cabbage, it’s recommended to chop it finely and boil it to make it more digestible, but it’s important to manage the quantity and avoid overfeeding.
Unsuitable Food Substitutes for Goldfish
Bonito Flakes
Bonito flakes can also be used as goldfish food, but caution is needed due to their high salt content. Bonito flakes are rich in protein and can be fed to goldfish in small quantities.
However, the salt content in bonito flakes can deteriorate water quality and potentially have negative effects on the goldfish’s health. Therefore, when feeding bonito flakes, it’s recommended to rinse them well to reduce the salt content, crush them into very fine pieces, and only feed a small amount. Additionally, it’s better to use bonito flakes as an occasional treat rather than a regular replacement for food.
Rice Grains
Using rice grains as goldfish food is not recommended. The main reason is that rice grains can potentially strain the goldfish’s digestive system.
Particularly, white rice is known to be very high in carbohydrates and difficult for goldfish to digest. Furthermore, rice grains expand in water, and goldfish that consume them may experience internal organ compression.
Homemade Goldfish Food Recipes
Paste Made from Boiled Vegetables and Wheat Flour
One method of making homemade goldfish food is to create a paste by mixing boiled vegetables with wheat flour. This food is highly nutritious and recommended for goldfish.
The preparation is simple: lightly boil your preferred vegetables (such as spinach or cabbage), chop them finely, and mix them with wheat flour. During this process, add a little water to create a paste-like consistency. By forming this paste into small chunks and feeding it to the goldfish, their appetite will improve.
Using Finely Mashed Boiled Egg Yolk
Another homemade goldfish food recipe involves using boiled egg yolk. Boiled egg yolk is nutritionally rich and particularly good for young or growing goldfish.
After hard-boiling the egg yolk, mash it finely into small pieces suitable for the goldfish’s size. When these yolk pieces are introduced into the aquarium, the goldfish will show interest and start eating.
Egg yolk is high in protein and plays a crucial role in supporting the growth of goldfish. However, it’s important to adjust the quantity appropriately and promptly remove any excess leftovers to prevent water quality deterioration.
Frequency and Quantity of Feeding Goldfish
Frequency: Twice a Day
The ideal frequency for feeding goldfish is twice a day. This regular feeding helps maintain the health of goldfish and keeps them active and happy.
Dividing the feeding into two sessions, morning and evening, allows goldfish to follow their natural eating habits and stabilizes their energy levels throughout the day. However, it’s important to keep the feeding times consistent, enabling goldfish to maintain a regular daily rhythm.
Feed an Amount that Goldfish Can Consume within 2-5 Minutes
It is recommended to feed goldfish an amount that they can completely consume within 2-5 minutes. Following this quantity guideline helps prevent water quality deterioration caused by overfeeding and protects the health of goldfish.
If food remains in the aquarium, it can decay and cause water quality to deteriorate. When feeding for the first time, start with a smaller quantity and gradually find the optimal amount. If the goldfish cannot finish the food within 2-5 minutes, reduce the quantity accordingly for the next feeding. This approach allows you to maintain the health of your goldfish while keeping the aquarium environment clean.
