August 2007

GFSA Info

For info and general updates on the Goldfish Report, take a look here for info from the editor on upcoming issues of the Goldfish Report and the publication schedule. This page is updated as information is provided to the Webmaster.

If you have let your membership lapse or have been thinking about joining the GFSA, now is a great time - here is a form you can print. To submit material for the Goldfish Report to our editor, please see the updated society contact info. Articles and photos in electronic form are particularly appreciated.

The current line-up of people filling the GFSA offices is on the society officers page. The GFSA Board of Directors continues 2007 with a focus on ensuring that the society is undertaking activities and providing services that our members want. Tell us if there is something you really want (even better, volunteer to help us do it).

Interested in joining the GFSA but still not sure? We have two sample Goldfish Reports available to download, to demonstrate that every issue is packed with thought provoking information and pictures available nowhere else. We are also promoting an electronic membership option that significantly lowers the cost of membership! Only $10US gets you a year of informative, timely color issues of the GFSA's Goldfish Report, sent directly to your email inbox.

Lessons Learned "Quick Hits"

We are soliciting short lessons-learned from hobbyists: events that possibly left you sadder, but measurably wiser. Have a good one? Please send it to the  . Here is a brief diatribe from the Webmaster:

There has been a lot of speculation on what are acceptable nitrate levels in the water that goldfish are kept in. In parts-per-million, or PPM, most people agree that levels below 15-20 PPM are probably acceptable (though unacceptably high for some other fish and invertebrate species, which suggests that the goldfish are enduring this). However, Koi ponds may reach nitrate levels of 200PPM, with these long-lived fish apparently not suffering adverse effects. And goldfish, with the Koi in these sunny, outside ponds, often seem to thrive as well. So what is the acceptable upper limit for goldfish? And if there are adverse effects, are they due to nitrates themselves or to other compounds that may accompany nitrate build-up, like phosphates?

There has not been the scientific study needed to answer these questions authoritatively, so the conventional wisdom remains to do frequent, substantial water changes. Anecdotally, the kinds of symptoms that have been associated with high nitrate levels include slow growth or stunting of young goldfish, curling and weakening of fin tips in long-finned goldfish, and partial kidney failure in older fish, leading to a pre-dropsy condition where some edema is present. Often these latter symptoms can be controlled through improved water conditions and careful feeding, with the fish living years longer.