Observant fish keepers would notice that the faeces of goldfish emerge very soon after the fish have fed and in quite large volumes. This is because unlike us, goldfish lack stomachs, only a passage that leads from the mouth to the anal region. This fact means that the digestive mechanism of goldfish is not as efficient as some other species such as arowanas.

Arowanas, which must break down large prey into smaller components before nutrients can be absorbed, have a very strong and effective digestive system. When we feed a fish or frog to an arowanas, it takes a very long time before the undigested bits come out from the anus and the amount of waste generated is comparatively small given the volume of the feed.

Such differences between these two species mean that health problems can frequently arise in the care and feeding of goldfish. Food is processed quickly and a great deal of waste is created, meaning that as the feed passes through the digestive tract, the goldfish is not obtaining the full amount of nutrients from its food. This also explains why goldfish are typically ravenous feeders who gorge themselves regularly whenever food is available.

Goldfish feed heavily and many times through the day. Put simply, if you feed, they will eat. The more food they consume, the larger they will grow. To a casual observer, this behaviour may seem funny or lovely, but it is in fact a survival instinct to meet the metabolic requirements of an animal that does not know when the next meal might appear.

When goldfish eat so much of what we give them, does that mean they are getting the food and nutrients they need?

The answer is 'No' and this brings us to the topic in question. One might think that a visible gain in the fish's growth is a good sign, but size is not a measure of health or vitality, just as a large-bodied or slightly-built human is not necessarily a person in the pink of health. A big body means nothing in terms of well-being.

What is lacking in the daily feed of your Goldfish?

If you read with care the label on the carton or bottle of your premium and non premium fish food you will see that all the basic nutrients are provided: protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, minerals and even extra supplements such as spirulina algae, wheat germ and robotics. But what else is missing from the picture?

Vitamins are the issue.

Yes, all commercial brands of fish food do mix in plenty of vitamins into their products. In the commercial market, vitamins and minerals can be sourced very easily and also cheaply. But many vitamins especially vitamin C or ascorbic acid are very unstable and prone to deterioration from exposure to air or other substances. Hence, their potency can be totally lost right at the beginning of the production process or even before. So it's quite possible that your fish are not getting enough of these vital nutrients in their daily feed.

So, despite their heavy feeding, the result could still be malnutrition and susceptibility to disease. Most goldfish keepers, including professional breeders, rely on commercial feed rather than fresh food to nourish their pets. In the long term, this can lead to a deficiency in some nutrients such as amino acids (which are the building blocks of proteins) in addition to vitamins. Lacking these elements, the fish may fall sick easily and become less able to battle bacterial or viral infections, adapt to environment fluctuations in temperature or combat internal illnesses.

Optimal nutrition is thus key to maintaining the health and longevity of your Goldfish. Their lives are in your hands and what you feed them.

This is why you should consider Goldawick, a new premium vitamins and mineral supplement for Goldfish from Ferka. Goldawick uses nutrient mixes that have been stabilized to withstand exposure and remain potent throughout processing and storage. Mixing Goldawick into your regular feed or directly dosing the supplement into aquarium water will ensure that you are giving you fish the nutrients that need in the right balance. Goldawick contributes to protecting your fish from infections and illness and help promote quality growth. Combined with proper filtration, tank maintenance and a healthy dose of direct sunlight, your fish can turn from pale creatures to active animals with intense finnage and brilliant colours.

Just a final warning, your fish won't become addicted to Goldawick, but given the results, you just might be! Be warned!