Pearlscale Care
Just like many other types of Goldfish the Pearlscale Goldfish grows relatively large and requires at least 10 gallons of water if you want to keep it in an aquarium. You can also keep it in a pond. The more room, the better, and your Pearlscale Goldfish will most likely do much better if you provide it with more room than the 10 gallons which should be considered an absolute minimum. You can house your Pearlscale Goldfish with other goldfish varieties as long as they are not to fast, since fast fishes may snatch away all the food and leave the Pearlscale Goldfish starving. Comet goldfish, Waking Goldfish and Shubunkin Goldfish are all examples of fast fishes that are unsuitable company for a Pearlscale Goldfish.
Keep in mind that the Pearlscale Goldfish is big and egg-shaped and not really suited for fast-swimming. You have to handle your Pearlscale Goldfish very carefully, since the scales can fall off from rough treatment or sharp objects in the aquarium or pond. Breeding damage can also cause the scales to drop from the fish. If a scale falls from the Pearlscale Goldfish, it will not be replaced by a similar scale. Instead, you will see the common flat scale found on all other types of goldfish. Some breeders claim that the Pearlscale Goldfish needs more calcium in the water than other goldfishes, to keep the scales intact. This is however yet to be proven.
Your Pearlscale Goldfish will happily eat most types of food, but you must restrict its diet a bit due to the unnatural shape of this fish. Since it is so rounded, the internal organs are quite cramped inside its body. A Pearlscale Goldfish should therefore not be fed unsoaked dry food, such as pellets and flakes. If you Pearlscale Goldfish eats unsoaked food, the food will absorb water from the internal organs and swell inside the body of the fish. The expansion will cause pressure on all the surrounding organs and especially the swim bladder is vulnerable to this easily damaged. Constipation can also occur.
If you want to feed your Pearlscale Goldfish pellets or flakes, make sure the food is really soaked. Since the Pearlscale Goldfish is prone to constipation even when kept on a correct diet, you should include deshelled peas in its diet at least once a week since the peas will prevent and treat constipation. Bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia and vegetable food like cucumber and lettuce are also suitable food for a Pearlscale Goldfish.
Keep in mind that the Pearlscale Goldfish is big and egg-shaped and not really suited for fast-swimming. You have to handle your Pearlscale Goldfish very carefully, since the scales can fall off from rough treatment or sharp objects in the aquarium or pond. Breeding damage can also cause the scales to drop from the fish. If a scale falls from the Pearlscale Goldfish, it will not be replaced by a similar scale. Instead, you will see the common flat scale found on all other types of goldfish. Some breeders claim that the Pearlscale Goldfish needs more calcium in the water than other goldfishes, to keep the scales intact. This is however yet to be proven.
Your Pearlscale Goldfish will happily eat most types of food, but you must restrict its diet a bit due to the unnatural shape of this fish. Since it is so rounded, the internal organs are quite cramped inside its body. A Pearlscale Goldfish should therefore not be fed unsoaked dry food, such as pellets and flakes. If you Pearlscale Goldfish eats unsoaked food, the food will absorb water from the internal organs and swell inside the body of the fish. The expansion will cause pressure on all the surrounding organs and especially the swim bladder is vulnerable to this easily damaged. Constipation can also occur.
If you want to feed your Pearlscale Goldfish pellets or flakes, make sure the food is really soaked. Since the Pearlscale Goldfish is prone to constipation even when kept on a correct diet, you should include deshelled peas in its diet at least once a week since the peas will prevent and treat constipation. Bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia and vegetable food like cucumber and lettuce are also suitable food for a Pearlscale Goldfish.
- Like all goldfish, Pearlscales are relatively messy and produce a lot of waste meaning that you have to change the water fairly frequently to maintain a healthy habitat.
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- Pearlscale goldfish are prone to swimbladder disorders which affect the ability to maintain normal position in the water. Selective breeding of the pearlscale gradually resulted in the alteration of the appearance of the swimbladder and internal organs crowding. Therefore overfeeding should be strictly avoided.
- Pearlscales are very sensitive to cold water and should not be exposed to temperatures below 55°F (13°C).
- Feed the fish daily with about 1/2 teaspoon soaked pellets or flakes, or lettuce to discourage constipation. After about five minutes, scoop out any uneaten food, as this can decompose and pollute the aquarium. If there is a lot left over for several days, try decreasing the amount. If all the food is eaten quickly, consider raising the amount slightly.
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- Feeding shelled peas to pearlscale goldfish once a week may help to avoid or relieve constipation.
- Avoid rough handling of the pearlscale goldfish, as they lose their unique scales easily.
- Anecdotal evidence suggests additional calcium may be needed in their diet to help them grow their scales or prevent them losing their scales, but that it is not yet documented
- Avoid sudden drops in temperature, as this can kill the fish.
- Salinity must be kept below 10%, a specific gravity of less than 1.002sg. Too much salt will increase the osmotic pressure - the difference between the fish's body fluids and the salty water will force the fluids out of the fish, thereby dehydrating it.
- If raising pearlscale goldfish in a pond, remember that they are slow-moving and susceptible to predators such as raccoons and herons.