Want to know one of the funnest parts about keeping goldfish?
Feeding them of course
Who can resist seeing those wiggly little fins and pleading eyes!
But this begs the question (no pun intended!):
What do goldfish eat?
There are 3 very important things every goldfish should be eating on a regular basis to avoid boredom and malnutrition.
Let’s get started!
What do Goldfish Eat in the Wild?
There’s a simple rule of goldfish keeping that will help you get a LOT farther ahead in your hobby:
The closer we mimic natural conditions for our goldfish, the healthier they will be.
Guess what?
The same is true of their diet.
We typically think a goldfish only needs a pinch of flakes a day and they’re good to go (sadly, most flakes contain nothing a goldfish would eat in the wild).
The carp is the wild ancestor of the goldfish, and we can learn a lot about what goldfish eat by learning the natural diet of the carp.
If a goldfish lived in the wild, it would eat this stuff all day long in a river or pond:
- Algae
- Plants
- Rotting plant matter
- Insects and worms
- Little fish here and there
As you can see, vegetable matter makes up a big portion of their diet, but also protein found in insect and marine-based animals.
They are scavengers, and rely on processing large amounts of food to get the small amount of nutrition they need.
In captivity, we can feed them very concentrated foods that supply all their needs in just a small amount per day.
But this isn’t a balanced diet like they would have in the wild.
So:
What exactly IS a balanced goldfish diet?
This brings us to my next point…
What Should You Feed Your Goldfish? — The 3 Aspects of a Balanced Diet
Let’s face it:
Goldfish will eat just about anything.
But not everything they CAN eat is necessarily good for them.
A balanced diet will be primarily made of the following:
- Good quality fish food (gel food, pellets)
- Fibrous veggies (spinach, lettuce, kale, cilantro)
- Natural treats (earthworms, bloodworms, krill, daphnia
1. Pellets, Gel Food or Flakes – The Staple Diet
Goldfish can get by for a limited period of time without this.
But ultimately if you want your goldfish to be healthy and not suffer from vitamin and nutrient deficiencies, you need to be feeding your goldfish a complete staple diet.
What exactly IS that?
The diet staple is something that provides your goldfish with all the nutrition it needs for the day (with the right ratios of protein, fat, carbs, vitamins and minerals) – something that rummaging around in your refrigerator won’t be able to do.
Good quality fish food manufacturers formulate foods that are designed to do just that.
Only a small amount per day is required to get your fish loaded up on all those nutrients – in a very yummy way!
The three main types of goldfish foods are pellets, gel food or flakes.
You really only need to pick one – and each kind of food has its own advantages.
My advice?
Choose what works best for you.
- Gel food is absolutely wonderful for swim-bladder-problem-prone fancy goldfish because it’s so moist, provided you purchase a good brand.
- Pellets can be another very good option. Some people soak these, but it isn’t necessary if you use a quality brand.
- Flake food is very common (probably the most commonly found fish food at the pet store) and usually the least expensive. However, it can be tricky to find a flake food that isn’t mostly fillers and low-quality ingredients.
You might want to check out our article on the Best Goldfish Foods for Fancy & Single-tailed Fish for our reviews of the different brands and our top picks.
2. Fibrous Veggies – Foraging Material
Look:
It’s super important to make sure your goldfish gets all the nutrition it needs with its daily feeding of the staple diet.
And sure, maybe your fish would stay pretty healthy with just that.
But the rest of the day, your fish’s digestive tract is not moving like it would naturally be doing if it lived in a pond.
This state of stagnation can make your fish more prone to issues like constipation.
I’ve had many fishkeepers tell me that their swim bladder problems went away once they started regularly providing regular foraging for their water puppies.
Also…
Goldfish are ravenous little beasts.
They live to eat and they LOVE to eat – it’s what they are meant to do from sunup to sundown!
In the wild, a goldfish would spend every waking moment chowing down on all the goodies in a pond or river.
But in a closed aquarium?
It’s usually slim pickings.
This means your goldfish spends all day long after its little bit of diet staple pellets or whatever without ANYTHING to do! 🙁
That’s a big part of why they beg so much.
But if you keep feeding your fish pellets or gel food or flakes every time you see it looking all sad and bored, it will end up overfed and sick from that rich processed food
They only need as much as they can eat in 30 seconds of that stuff once a day.
How do we solve this problem?
Simple.
Give them fibrous foraging material like leafy greens and other veggies!
My favorites are lettuce, spinach and cilantro – though there are others as well.
It really makes it easy to use a veggie clip.
Goldfish should have UNLIMITED ACCESS to this foraging material 24/7.
It is probably a good idea to remove and replace uneaten veggies after a few days to avoid too much rotting debris accumulating in the tank and fouling the water.
How much of this you need to feed really depends on the size of the fish and how fast they will go through it.
Remember:
It might take a bit of time for goldfish to get used to eating their greens if they’ve only been given yummy pellets, flakes or gel food.
It’s like going from eating hamburgers to a salad.
My advice?
If they aren’t eating the veggies, withhold the rich processed food until they do. They won’t starve, and they will eventually cave once they get hungry enough.
It usually takes a few days, but in some cases (especially if the fish has been overfed) it could take as much as a week or two before they come around to the veggies.
But once they do, they will discover how much fun it is to nibble on these all day long!
(And they will be healthier as a result.)
Tip:
You can wilt the veggies first by steaming them to soften them up – this really helps in my experience.
3. Treats – Something Different & Nutritious
They say variety is the spice of life.
And the same is true for the life of a goldfish!
(You would get bored of eating the same thing every day… day after day…)
It’s a good idea to break things up with a nutritious treat – usually given 2-3 times a week.
Treats like live and/or dried foods offer the benefits of a boost of protein and color-enhancing properties – great for fish you are trying to get to grow bigger or develop more into its full potential.
The best part?
Goldfish LOVE them!
My favorite treats for goldfish are sun-dried krill, earthworms and frozen bloodworms.
Yummy!
These foods are also great to feed a goldfish that has recently been through stress such as shipping.
Of course:
It’s really important not to overdo the treats.
Too much can make your goldfish overweight and unhealthy.
But in moderation…
They are a great addition to your goldfish’s diet!
Foods a Goldfish Can Eat: The Big List
Below is a list of foods goldfish can eat. I’ve tried to make it very comprehensive, though I’m sure not every single thing is on here.
Goldfish will eat just about anything after all
Please note that some of these foods can cause harm to the fish if fed in excess or over a long period of time (some are probably not a good idea period).
Just because a goldfish CAN eat some of these does not mean they should.
1. Fish Food
- Pellets
- Gel Food
- Flakes
2. Vegetables
- Asparagus
- Avocado – in very small amounts (high fat)
- Broccoli (steamed)
- Brussel sprouts (steamed)
- Bok Choy – goldfish aren’t fond of this
- Carrots (steamed) – goldfish aren’t fond of this
- Chard
- Cilantro – excellent foraging!
- Corn – HIGHLY not recommended
- Cucumber (peeled)
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Parsley
- Peas (deskinned)
- Pumpkin (cooked)
- Red bell pepper
- Spinach
- Squash (cooked)
3. Fruit
- Bananas
- Berries
- Grapes (skinned)
- Oranges
- Pears
- Watermelon
4. Treats
- Algae (I recommend avoiding processed algae wafers as they are usually high in wheat)
- Beef (ground and raw) – not recommended
- Black soldier fly larvae – a great frequent treat
- Bread – not recommended
- Brine shrimp
- Daphnia
- Earthworms
- Egg yolks – not recommended other than for young fry
- Freeze-dried Bloodworms
- Frozen Bloodworms
- Garlic
- Houseflies
- Krill (sun-dried)
- Shrimp
- Turkey (ground and raw) – not recommended
Now it’s Your Turn
Are you going to try offering your goldfish foraging?
Did you learn something new?
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below, so drop me a line!
I’ve heard avocado may not be good for goldfish. I fed avocado once and they gobbled it up. Now I don’t feed it, but I saw it on your list so I may do it again. My fish also enjoy pineapple, boiled egg white in little pieces, celery leaves, romaine lettuce, and cooked rice (only on occasion).
I feed it in super small amounts like you, just in case. Never tried egg white before 😀
We have been feeding Omega One sinking pellets and we have fan tail goldfish. They seem to be thriving on that diet. I offer Omega One shrimp pellets and freeze dried tubifex worms for an occasional treet. I also use the dried sheets of algae but these critters are little pigs.
I was putting lettuce in a clip in the tank but as soon as I turn my back the lettuce is gone. It would be very hard to offer enough of the veggies to keep them foraging 24/7. I would have to hire a goldfish nanny to just stand there and keep the clip filled.
Do you have any advice on this?
You may need to put more veggies in at a time. Also if you use it raw and unblanched it will soften slowly 🙂
Thanks for the info/ education
You’re so welcome!
Very informative post which I’ve learnt a lot. I’ve 3 common goldfish and feeding them sinking pellets, nori and seaweed on alternate days. Seem to be working ok. Most important I reckon is still the water change. I do 50% every 5 days.
Thanks for sharing your method!
Very informative knowledge. Always most glad to read about all these relating to the goldfish keeping. Hoping to hear from you again more often in future.
Thanks for stopping by, Stephen 🙂
I also like to enquire whether if how long I can leave nori seaweed inside the tank. Is it ok also to be feeding my goldfish peas daily together with their pallet main meals
You can try, I find seaweed to be a bit messy.
My one goldfish keeps floating upside down (swim bladder) and it subsides once I go a day without feeding him or switch to peas. When I go back to pellets he is immediately floating again.
I’m thinking of trying a veggie clip with spinach. Can anyone recommend tips or other food I can try to help him. I have 4 fish in total in a big 40 gallon tank he’s the only one who has a problem 🙁
You might try switching to gel food for that floaty one.
I really enjoy Meredith and all she has shared! Thankyou ?
My Goldy\\\\\\\’s love fresh food esp veggies. I use my own garlic water recipe. Thot I would share but everyone has their own way that works for them so do what feels rite?
First I take 3 or 4 garlic cloves and cut each into 4 to 6 pieces. Then throw garlic pieces in the hot boiled or micro water…soak for 10 mins. Then Smoosh each piece with a spoon, thumb or finger to release the oils and goodies into the water. (Note: to be able to smoosh the cut cloves easily they do best soaked in the hot water first & it gets rid of the spicy hot that burns from fresh garlic).
Smell to make sure the water has a definite garlic smell. Add more if water doesn\\\\\\\’t have a strong garlic smell.
Then soak food pellets/ granuals for 3 to 5 mins or until food is softened but not completely mooshy then feed. (I drain excess water before i feed)With flakes I add a few drops of garlic water onto a spoon then add flakes and dip spoon in tank to get it off without mooshing it.
I also soak a couple peas per fish in the garlic water every 2 to 4 days. Any fish food can be used w the garlic water.
My Goldy\\\\\\\’s loved it immediately but some have said it takes a few tries to get theirs to eat garlic. It boosts there immune system, helps with appetite, digestion & helps fight parasites/disease.
Good tips on the garlic, Dusti!
My goldfish loves garden peas, just tried him with banana and he spat it out at first but then gobbled it up
Thanks for sharing, Paula, peas are always a favorite!
I buy red, purple and green seaweed and the fancies are particularly fond of the red seaweed. I also but freeze-dried peas and soak them before putting them in the tank. I think this is their favorite food.
Thanks for sharing!
Peel the skin off the sweet peas or it is constipation and swim bladder problem city …
Thanks for sharing the tip!
Hi, I noted maggots were not on your list. My fish food flakes got water in the container and then maggots followed. There were only about 10. Even though this is a one off, I was still wondering if goldfish in a pond outdoors are able to eat maggots.
Thanks in advance.
They probably could, high in protein. But unsure if they could carry bacteria or disease so I’d probably steer clear.
Hello Meredith. I am going to setup a small waterfall on my patio. I found your post here and found it very informative. It explanes the reason for past failures.Thank you.
Thank you for your kind words, Bill!
I have fed my goldfish potatos, olives and small amouts of marmite and peanut butter but never what you have suggested. Are you sure that list is safe?
Thanks so much. Percy
Yes it is safe, everything that does not have a not recommended next to it.
Hello meredith. Do you do live chat on your website.?
I don’t sorry!
Thats ok, just wanted to know. You are so helpful for any other questions i have about fishkeeping!
Gertie
Hi,
Thanks for the great article. Was wondering, is it okay to wash or boil veggies with tap water, or should i use tank water? I often use tap water bc I don’t want to drain too much of my tank but then get very paranoid about the chlorine and dry veggies obsessively before putting them in the tank, it’s rather a hassle…does it really matter that much?
I use tap water. A tiny amount of chlorine that small won’t bother them one bit.
I’ve been feeding my pond goldfish 5-8″, zucchini cut into rings (no seeds) cucumbers peeled (no seeds) they love them!
So nutritious!
Found your article very good indeed. I have kept a lot of fish over my 73 years! but still picking up tips. my original
question was about my Pond fish, but I now have more ideas of what veggies they eat. I did have 8, but due to herons, have
only 2. but they are so funny, rush about, getting excited when I talk or call them. The Pond is quite nice really, and 1/3
covered in plants. They just love to hide and forage about in the greenery, and we clean it out every early Spring.
We live in the country, with trees around for shade, but not too over-hanging. My fish family began 12 years ago, as
Rescue Fish from a neglected pond. They were all Gold, but over the years have become black and gold.
Thanks for sharing, Margaret! Goldfish are so much fun!
muy buena informacion de saludos yo tengo muchos goldifsh variedades y les doy de comer sus papillas
saludos desde Peru
(Mod edit, Google Translated Version: “Very good information of greetings I have many goldifsh varieties and I feed them their porridge
Greetings from Peru”)
Hi Meredith,
I bought two fish last week and I’m already in love. They are soooooooooo cute I just can’t describe in words their adorable faces and little fins. They love me too, I can tell when they wave their fishy tails as blow kisses at me through the glass. That’s why I’m really concerned about them dying soon because I noticed that one of them, kudlikana (strange name I know but it’s traditional in Russia) was floating at the top of the tank this morning. According to my fellow fish-loving friend, that’s a sure sign of bloat and I should feed kudlikana peas as it will help him get better. Is this true? I’m not sure if I should go to the vet but if u think peas will help i will feed them and spare myself the embarrassment of going to the vet with my fish. And also, I’m worried that my other fish, janikana will get sick too and do u think I should put them in separate tanks?
Thank you,
Bayles.
You can try fasting for a week on just leafy greens like spinach and see if that helps.
Hello,
Can I feed my goldfish dried Alfalfa pellets as a source of fiber and foraging material?
Really loved the article!
You can try and see if they will eat it!
Very informative reading.i learned something new today and i am going to try offering my goldfish fruit and veggies
thank you so very much
Hello,
I am looking to get a goldfish and would like some advice.
We currently have a 1 gallon bowl, with decorations (which makes it a little smaller). There is a 2.5 gallon tank at the pet store that we could get if you think that would make for a longer lived goldfish.
We currently have an air pump. Will we need to buy a filter to add to the air pump? or what do you suggest?
Do you suggest having a live plant?
I suggest taking a look at this post, Ashley. Hope it helps 🙂
Hi Meridith, thank you for this wonderful website.
I’ve been trying unsucessfully to feed my goldfish lettuce. Its raw and unblanched, I’ve put it in raw and unblanced in a clip for 24-48h. Nothing. I’ve witheld their Northfin pellet food for 48 h, put the lettuce in, still nothing. Any clue what might be happening or what I can do? I don’t want them to get constipated or anything. Thanks.
You can try freezing the lettuce – this softens it and really helps attract the fish as it becomes tender 🙂 Don’t give up. They won’t starve.
Funny story the next day the lettuce had been all torn into with bites eaten and I’ve seen them eating it all day. Just had to be patient…
Thanks for the freezing suggestion!
Great to hear!
My fish do not live by my house and I go to school before I get to where they are at my mums classroom so I have to sneak lettuce and tell my mum to put them in the freezer there! (My stepdad is a lettuce hog) ? I am twelve and can’t buy my own lettuce haha! If only I had allowance again :/
My two, very large goldfish absolutely love butter lettuce. I put in an entire head (organic of course) to float in the aquarium and they finish it in about three days.
I bet they go crazy for that!
Hello I am on vacation right now. I’m a big fan of your websites and goldfish.
My goldfish is doing fantastic right know. Here’s my question. What should I feed my goldfish when I get home?
How long can they go without food?
They can go for a week without food no issues. I would start feeding easy to digest things such as blanched veggies and live foods when you get back.
Hi. Realy informative article. I have one question tough. We dont have a petshop near so were i get the food from dont have those treats for them. Is it ok to feed them the type of shrimp they do for turtles? Thanks in advance
Probably wouldn’t hurt to try!
Hi,
Its a great list of foods,
I was wondering is it ok to feed boiled Squid, Crab & Crab eggs??
Thanks in advance..
Yes it is fine.
can I feed mango to my common goldfish?….in small pieces
Sure, in moderation