Synopses & Reviews
For the beginner goldfish owner or the experienced aquarist, The Goldfish: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet, is the all-in-one answer book. With chapters on everything from setting up your fish's environment to selecting the fish for you to a well-rounded diet to breeding, this book covers it all. Best of all, its practical, easy-to-use information tells you what you need to know so you can spend more time enjoying your fish. Beautiful, professional color photos take you up-close-and-personal into the world of goldfish, showing you the color and form, varieties of fish, excellent aquarium layouts, and signs to recognize if your fish are sick. There's even a chapter on setting up an outdoor pond. For happy, healthy goldfish, look no further than this book for the advice you need.
Synopsis
An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet is the series to turn to when you want a basic reference that's reliable, up-to-date, and complete.
These guides feature:
- Expert authors, plus renowned guest contributors on specialized topics
- Full-color photos throughout
- Basic information on the breed, species, or topic
- Complete coverage of care, health, and more
- Tips and techniques to make life with a pet more rewarding
Synopsis
The authoritative information and advice you need, illustrated throughout with full-color photographs—now revised and redesigned to be even more reader-friendly!Goldfish are the most widely kept fish in the world. They are the quintessential first pet since goldfish are relatively inexpensive, easy to care for, fairly hardy, and very adaptable. With colorful photos, charts, and tables, this guide gives you information on:
Choosing your goldfish
Setting up and maintaining your aquarium
The outdoor goldfish pond
Feeding your goldfish
Keeping your goldfish healthy
About the Author
Gregory Skomal, PhD,is an experienced aquarist and Marine Fisheries biologist at Martha's Vineyard Fisheries, Division of Marine Fisheries, Massachusetts. He is also an adjunct scientist at the Center for Shark Research in Sarasota, Florida, and has appeared on National Geographic, the Discovery Channel, Today Show, CNN, Good Morning America, and Fox News.
Table of Contents
Part I: All About Goldfish.Chapter 1: What Is a Goldfish?
The History of Goldfish.
Classifying Goldfish.
The Basic Goldfish Body.
How Do Goldfish Swim?
How Do Goldfish Breathe?
A Goldfish’s Senses.
Chapter 2: (Almost) Endless Variety.
Flat Body Type.
Round or Egg-Shaped Body Type.
Chapter 3: Choosing Your Goldfish.
Goldfish and Other Tropical Fish.
Signs of a Healthy Goldfish.
Avoid Overcrowding.
How to Avoid Overcrowding.
Part II: Goldfish Habitats.
Chapter 4: Setting Up Your Aquarium.
Aquarium Tanks.
Light.
Heater.
Water Filters.
Aeration.
Other Accessories.
Setting Up Your Aquarium.
Aquascaping.
The Water.
The Nitrogen Cycle.
Bringing Your Goldfish Home.
Chapter 5: Aquarium Plants.
Why Live Plants?
Rooted Plants.
Bunched Plants.
Floating Plants.
Chapter 6: The Outdoor Goldfish Pond.
Where to Place the Pond.
Pond Size.
Types of Ponds.
Filtration.
The Fish.
Pond Plants.
Feeding.
Spawning and Breeding.
Cleaning the Pond.
Part III: Taking Care of Your Goldfish.
Chapter 7: Feeding Your Goldfish.
What Should I Feed My Goldfish?
How to Feed Your Fish.
A Sample Diet.
Chapter 8: Maintaining Your Aquarium.
General Maintenance.
Partial Water Changes.
Maintenance Checklist.
Chapter 9: Goldfish Diseases.
Signs of Illness.
Commercial Remedies.
The Hospital Tank.
Common Diseases.
Bacterial, Viral, and Fungal Infections.
Parasite Infestations.
Appendix: Learning More About Your Goldfish.
Books.
Magazines.
Internet.
Index.