Is my water too cold?

[Phreaxer]

I have 4 goldfish in a 10 gallon tank and I put a light next to the tank to substitute for the one in the lid (its burnt out) and the fish huddle around where the light it... do they just like the warmth? are they needing it? any ideas? also, what is the best thing to feed goldfish? the guy at the store sold me some "topical fish flake"... is that good? would they like blood worms or something more?

 

[Pufferpack]

What temp is your water? I doubt that they are huddling for warmth as Goldfish are coldwater fish....maybe a voice keeps telling them (insert booming echo) "SWIM TOWARDS THE LIGHT"
...tropical fish food should be fine, it is enriched with vitamins

 

[superman]

Let us know what the temp is in the tank, then we can better advise you.

 

[Phreaxer]

Im not positive how to read the thermometer (i know im stupid. ) but it is between... 78 and 82... there is a blue line on 78 and a brown line on 82.... ?

 

[AnimalFriend]

Hi! I also have a 10 gallon tank with 4 goldfish. Now I am a horse person who just got into fish six weeks ago. But I read that goldfish should be in water that is about 65 ish. At 80 F they are more susceptible to disease. Also oxygen levels decrease in warm water, now why this effects goldfish and not tropicals is beyond me. Perhaps evolution?

My goldfish tank is at room temperature, about 65 F. They are happy and active. My Mollie tank is another sad story.

 

[Jamnog]

i think tropical flakes would be fine as for the temp i thinhk they might like warmth but they dont normally need it. they live in ponds at near freezing temps some times. also do you know the type of goldfish?

 

[CFC]

Sorry to disagree with everyone but goldfish should NOT be fed on tropical fish flakes,there are many brands of goldfish flake available and these are specialy formulated for coldwater fish.Tropical and coldwater fish have completely different digestive systems and this is reflected in the foods available for them (hopefully someone with some biology knowledge will come along and explain better)

As AF suggests coldwater fish should be kept at room temperature or lower,although these fish can tolerate higher temperatures if kept this warm for a sustained period it will affect their health.My guess would be that the lights are raising the temperature so i would suggest only switching them on for a hour or so in evening when you feed them.

 

[Phreaxer]

Ok, sounds good to me. I will turn on the light tonight, when I give them their new food that I will be picking up on my way home from work.

Thanks for your help you guys!

 

[Alex]

To answer your bloodworm question, I'm sure your goldfish would love some bloodworm; and any other live food, e.g. daphnia, glassworm. As with all fish, replicating what they eat in the wild is always good for them. Though feeding flakes is fine, topping up the diet with live foods makes them happier and healthier.