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6 Best Goldfish Books in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Brooke Billingsley

By Brooke Billingsley

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Most of us rely on the internet to get our information. After all, you’re here! However, books are a fantastic source of information, whether they’re in your hand or your tablet. Books about goldfish help you find concise information about goldfish care and husbandry, all in one place.

These reviews will help you identify the top picks when it comes to books with accurate information that will help you provide the best care possible to your goldfish. This will save you a trip to the library and a wasted day digging through all the books about goldfish husbandry trying to find the right information.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
The Truth About Goldfish The Truth About Goldfish
  • Most recently updated in 2021
  • Two format options
  • Budget-friendly
  • Second place
    Ecology of the Planted Aquarium Ecology of the Planted Aquarium
  • Author is a trained microbiologist with aquarium experience
  • No recommendations of unnecessary products
  • Science-based approach to home aquarium care
  • Third place
    Fancy Goldfish: A Complete Guide to Care and Collecting Fancy Goldfish: A Complete Guide to Care and Collecting
  • High-quality hardback format
  • Information is specific to the care of fancy goldfish
  • Includes colorful photos
  • Mini Encyclopedia of Goldfish Mini Encyclopedia of Goldfish
  • Includes profiles of 16 goldfish varieties
  • Colorful photos and illustrations
  • Great for beginners
  • Fish Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment Fish Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment
  • Second edition expanded information
  • Focuses on illnesses of all fish
  • More than 500 color photos and diagrams
  • The 6 Best Goldfish Books Are:

    1. The Truth About Goldfish – Best Overall

    The Truth About Goldfish New Edition

    Format: E-book, paperback
    Price: $–$$
    Last Updated: 2021

    The best overall goldfish book is The Truth About Goldfish, which is currently in its 5th edition and was most recently updated in 2021. This book is available in both e-book and paperback formats and is a budget-friendly option. This book is based on 20 years of hands-on goldfish care and research on fancy and slim-bodied varieties, housed both indoors and outdoors. This book is jam-packed with tips and tricks to keep your tank clean, control algae buildup, successfully carry out water changes, diagnose and treat a variety of goldfish ailments, and even tells you how to keep your fish alive when you go on vacation! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced goldfish keeper, this book will provide you with excellent information.

    In previous iterations of this book, the pictures were black and white, and there were multiple proofreading errors. However, with the newest iteration of the book, the photos have been replaced with high-quality color photos and it has been fully reviewed and revised by a team of editors.

    You can probably see that this is our book. We love it and have saved so many fish from the brink of death thanks to its suggestions. We really hope you get as much out of it as we do!

    Pros
    • Most recently updated in 2021
    • Two format options
    • Budget-friendly
    • Based on 20 years of experience and research
    • Provides everything needed to provide care specific to goldfish
    • Information varies from beginner to advanced
    • 2021 updates added better editing and color photos

    Cons
    • Previous versions of the book have black and white photos and editing errors


    2. Ecology of the Planted Aquarium

    Ecology of the Planted Aquarium- A Practical Manual and Scientific Treatise for the Home Aquarist

    Format: E-book, hardback
    Price: $–$$
    Last Updated: 2013

    The best goldfish book for the money is Ecology of the Planted Aquarium. This book was written by a microbiologist with experience in cell biology and home aquarium care. She focuses on a science-based approach to care of the home aquarium, and she avoids recommending kitschy products that are unnecessary to the care of your fish. The book has Q&A boxes throughout the book, making answers to common questions clear and easy to find.

    This book is not goldfish specific and is more of a generalized approach to the overall care of aquariums, which can make it difficult to find specific information pertaining to the needs and care of goldfish. This book was last updated in 2013, so some of the information may be slightly outdated based on advancements in the science of aquatics since then.

    Pros
    • Budget-friendly
    • Author is a trained microbiologist with aquarium experience
    • Science-based approach to home aquarium care
    • No recommendations of unnecessary products
    • Q&A boxes make it easy to find information

    Cons
    • Not goldfish-specific
    • Last updated in 2013


    3. Fancy Goldfish: A Complete Guide to Care and Collecting

    Fancy Goldfish- Complete Guide To Care And Collecting

    Format: Hardback
    Price: $$$
    Last Updated: 2001

    Fancy Goldfish is a high-quality hardback book that features colorful photographs and care information specific to fancy goldfish. Some people find this book overwhelming for beginners due to the large amount of information in it. However, the information is important, clear, and accurate. Many people find this book to be a valuable resource in their library of goldfish care information. This book is especially beneficial when it comes to understanding and caring for sick goldfish.

    This book has not been updated since 2001, so some of the information in it may be outdated. It’s only available in a hardback format and comes at a premium price for a book.

    Pros
    • High-quality hardback format
    • Includes colorful photos
    • Information is specific to the care of fancy goldfish
    • Valuable resource for beginners and experienced goldfish keepers
    • Information is presented in a clear manner
    • Great information specific to health problems

    Cons
    • Not updated since 2001
    • Only available in one format
    • Premium price


    4. Mini Encyclopedia of Goldfish

    Mini Encyclopedia of Goldfish

    Format: Paperback
    Price: $
    Last Updated: 2015

    Mini Encyclopedia of Goldfish provides detailed profiles of sixteen varieties of goldfish, including commons and fancies, as well as practical goldfish care guidance from experts. It includes history and biology of goldfish, which is important to understanding their proper care. It contains hundreds of colorful photos and drawings throughout the book. This book is geared more toward beginners, and many people find it easy enough for children to understand and enjoy. Even for an experienced goldfish keeper, the goldfish profiles in this book can be informative.

    Most experienced goldfish keepers find a lot of the information in this book to be too beginner friendly, so some of the other reviewed books may be better options if you’re experienced and looking for deeper information. Currently, it’s only available in paperback format.

    Pros
    • Includes profiles of 16 goldfish varieties
    • Colorful photos and illustrations
    • Great for beginners
    • Simple enough for children to understand

    Cons
    • Not enough information for experienced hobbyists
    • Most information is very basic
    • Only available in paperback format


    5. Fish Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment

    Fish Disease- Diagnosis and Treatment

    Format: E-book, hardback, paperback
    Price: $$$–$$$$
    Last Updated: 2010

    Fish Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment is in its 2nd edition and was most recently updated in 2010. It is a textbook for professionals and hobbyists alike. It contains more than 500 colorful photos and diagrams throughout. This book focuses on illnesses among all fish, not just goldfish, which can be beneficial if you keep multiple types of fish or tanks. Fish veterinarians and other professionals find the information in this book to be exceptional, although some of it may be difficult for the average fish keeper to decipher.

    This book is not goldfish specific and, since it is a textbook, it comes at a premium price. The last update was in 2010, which significantly expanded the information in the book, but some information may be outdated.

    Pros
    • Second edition expanded information
    • More than 500 color photos and diagrams
    • Focuses on illnesses of all fish
    • Professional-level information

    Cons
    • Not goldfish specific
    • Premium price
    • Last updated in 2010
    • May be difficult for the average fish keeper to understand

     

    6. Kingyo: The Artistry of Japanese Goldfish

    Kingyo- The Artistry of Japanese Goldfish

    Format: Paperback
    Price: $$
    Last Updated: 2004

    Kingyo: The Artistry of Japanese Goldfish is a great resource for learning more about the history and development of goldfish. This book features artful renderings of goldfish throughout the ages, as well as information on the varieties of goldfish that originated in Japan. It also includes a novella about goldfish breeding and life in Japan in the 1930s. Since this book focuses on history and art, it contains little, if any, outdated information, even though the book was last updated in 2004.

    The focus of this book is on specific types of fancy goldfish and, although informative, contains very little information on care and husbandry. It contains multiple illustrations that cover two pages and since this is a bound book, it can be difficult to see the full picture.

    Pros
    • Contains information on the history of Japanese goldfish breeds
    • Art and illustrations throughout
    • Contains a novella
    • Information should not be outdated

    Cons
    • Only discusses Japanese fancy goldfish
    • No focus on care and husbandry
    • Two-page illustrations may be difficult to see due to book binding
    • Only available in paperback format


    Buyer’s Guide: Choosing The Best Goldfish Book

    What Makes a Good Goldfish Book?

    Determining what makes a book about goldfish “good” is based on your expectations and needs. If you are interested in learning more about the history of goldfish, or experiencing a more artistic approach to education, then a more art and history-based book is a good pick for you. If you need beginner information, or high-level information about illness diagnosis and treatment, then science-backed books are a great resource.

    When it comes down to it, there aren’t really “bad” books about goldfish unless they contain inaccurate or dangerous information. All other goldfish books will have something to meet your preferences and needs. You’ll find plenty of opinions and tons of facts throughout these books, allowing you to learn and become a better goldfish owner.

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    Final Thoughts

    The best overall goldfish book is The Truth About Goldfish, which uses science and experience to explain how to care for goldfish properly. Ecology of the Planted Aquarium and Fancy Goldfish: A Complete Guide to Care and Collecting are also great options for books to help you learn more about the care of your aquarium as a whole and the needs of your goldfish. Keeping these books in your personal library can help you be a better goldfish keeper and serve as a resource to you as questions or problems arise in the care of your goldfish.


    Featured Image Credit: Pixabay

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