Ok.
No. I just freeze it. I just keep a bunch in a container in the freezer, and as soon as you put it in the tank it's super duper soft.
I use
veggie clips, I think they work the best for goldfish, especially when you first are getting the used to eating greens. You can get the suction ones super cheap in a pack from amazon, there's also a magnetic one that's more pricey. I don't have a preference, I have both.
Yeah, I'd get a
heater. Most fish are sensitive to temp changes, goldfish are especially so. I think in the mid 70's Fahrenheit is the best range for goldfish, though they are very hardy and can live at a wide range. The cold water thing is highly exaggerated and not really the best for goldfish. You'll have more active, healthy fish if you keep the temp in the 70's. Well, then there are the matters of hibernation and breeding, but that's not something to concern yourself with until later.
"Normal" isn't really a good word for it. Like Evergreen said, it is dependant on a lot of factors. I mean A LOT.
Depends where you get them. What size do you want? How much are you willing to spend? What are your goals with goldfish keeping? Breeding or showing? You'll want a large, high quality specimen, which will cost a pretty penny, I'm talking hundreds before shipping. Just a hobbyist looking for a decent fish for less than 30-70 bucks? Get a younger or smaller fish, which will be easier to find btw.
Info on online prices and brief description of some of the most popular sellers:
For fancy goldfish online, I'd say the price is usually 40+ dollars including shipping, unless you find a good deal. For one fish. It's not feasible for me, and I'm not looking for a fancy expensive fish, but go to places to find good quality fancies are King Koi and Goldfish, and Live Koi for Sale, (largest range of selection regarding size and price, reliable, popular) and then higher end places like Zhaos Fancies (Rare, Chinese goldfish from a traditional farm) and Goldfish Island (High prices, on the trendiest breeds of fancies, also very large fish).
How I try to save money and source my fish:
You gotta dig deep my dude. It's a search. I check ebay, I've found good deals there from hobbyists, had a good experience. I wanted to buy more from one, but due to the virus she wasn't able too access the shipping materials any longer.
I searched the internet for fish that weren't crazy prices by themselves, alone after shipping. Little luck. Best I found was KK and LKFS. Still 50+ for two small fish at best. An amount I couldn't justify to my parents.
So recently I've had luck with scouring my area and nearest larger cities, calling, visiting, spending hours online searching for nice fishstores, and I found a nice little black ranchu, and some stores that were willing to order or have carried the breeds I wanted. So I'd try looking around on yelp and Google maps for your nearest privately owned fish stores, and calling places you think are likely to carry nice goldfish, or at least order you some. I got mine for 15 bucks gives or take.
BTW 2 inches long or less are usually 15 dollars and under. I like to go for those. That way you can also watch them grow.
That was really long. But I hope it helps you get some ideas.
