What Can I Feed My Goldfish?

Add various vegetables, fruits, insects, and plants to their commercial flakes and pellets diet to ensure your Goldfish get a balanced diet. By incorporating enough fiber and protein in their diet, you can ensure a healthy life for your fish, free from unnecessary health issues.

Some vegetables are great options to help treat issues like swimbladder symptoms or constipation issues. So, if you are running low on commercial food for your fish, at least you know what household food would be beneficial to add to your goldfish tank.

Vegetables

The rule here would be to avoid giving your fish any vegetables that build up gas, like onions and rhubarb. It is crucial to rinse your vegetables thoroughly as you don’t want any pesticides on the vegetables you are feeding the fish. To be safe, I like to peel vegetables where I can to ensure I don’t take any chances.

Ensure your vegetables cool off properly before feeding them to your fish. I would also suggest feeding smaller quantities so you can ensure nothing is left over in the tank and spoils, affecting the water quality of fish.

Limiting vegetables high in carbohydrates is better for the health of your fish. You would experience more benefits for your fish’s overall health and growth from higher protein and fiber options.

Vegetable	Benefits	Preparation
Peas & Lima Beans	Treating Constipation, Swimbladder Symptoms	Add To Bowl With Water, Microwave Until Soft, Cool Down, & Remove Skins, Cut Smaller, Or Mash
Carrots	Improved Color, Added Dietary Fibre And Vitamins	Remove The Outer Skin Layer, Cut Smaller, Add To Bowl With Water, Microwave Until Soft, Cool Down, Cut Smaller, Or Mash
Lettuce, Spinach, Kale & Chard	Added Dietary Fibre, Vitamins, Minerals, & Anti-Microbial Properties	Rinse Well, Remove Stems, Cut Smaller, Add To Bowl With Boiling Water, Cover, & Let Steam OR Microwave Until Soft, Cool Down
Cucumber	Improved Metabolism, Easily Digested, Antioxidant	Remove The Outer Skin Layer, Cut Smaller, Add To Bowl With Water, Microwave Until Soft, Cool Down, Cut Smaller, Or Mash
Potatoes & Sweet Potatoes	Omega-3 Fatty Acids, High In Carbohydrates	Remove The Outer Skin Layer, Cut It Smaller, Add To Bowl With Water, Microwave Until Soft, Cool Down, Cut Smaller, Or Mash
Garlic	Combats Parasites, Immune Booster, Anti-Fungal/Viral/Bacterial & Increases Appetite	Remove The Outer Skin Layer, Cut It Smaller, Add To Bowl With Water, Microwave Until Soft, Cool Down, Cut Smaller, Or Mash
Cauliflower & Broccoli	Vitamins C & K, Added Dietary Fiber	Cut Smaller, Add To Bowl With Water, Microwave Until Soft, Cool Down & Cut Smaller Or Mash
Pumpkin	Added Dietary Fibre, Boosted Immunity & Overall Health, Vitamins, Minerals, & Anti-Microbial Properties	Remove The Outer Skin Layer & Seeds, Cut It Smaller, Add To Bowl With Water, Microwave Until Cooked, Cool Down & Cut Smaller
Cabbage	Added Dietary Fibre	Rinse Well, Cut Smaller, Add To Bowl With Water, Microwave Until Soft, Cool Down
Zucchini	Added Dietary Fibre	Remove The Outer Skin Layer, Cut It Smaller, Add To Bowl With Water, Microwave Until Soft, Cool Down & Cut Smaller

Fruits

I suggest avoiding giving your fish too much high-sugar fruit like mango, pears, or apples, as the high fructose levels could convert to gas. It is crucial to rinse your fruit thoroughly as you don’t want any pesticides on the fruits you are feeding the fish. I also prefer to peel fruits where I can.

Fruit	Benefits	Preparation
Banana	Protein, Growth & Development Benefits, Vitamins & Minerals	Remove Peel & Dark Spots On Fruit, Cut Into Small Pieces Or Mash
Raspberry	Improved Digestion, Prevent Constipation	Frozen Raspberries Can Be Defrosted In Glass Of Room Temperature Water. Fresh Raspberries Add To Bowl With Boiling Water, Cover, & Let Steam Or Mash Fresh Raspberries
Strawberry & Kiwi	Antioxidants, Vitamins & Added Dietary Fiber	Remove Skin, Cut Into Small Pieces Or Mash
Watermelon	Vitamins, Minerals, Easily Digested & Added Dietary Fiber	Remove Skin & Seeds, Cut Smaller & Mash
Oranges	Vitamins & Easily Digested	Remove Skin & White Parts, & Seeds, Cut Orange Into Small Pieces
Grapes	Vitamins & Minerals	Add To Bowl With Boiling Water, Cover, & Let Steam, Remove Outer Skin, Cut Into Smaller Pieces
Pears	Vitamins, Minerals & Added Dietary Fiber	Remove The Outer Skin Layer, Stalk, & Seeds, Cut It Smaller, Add To Bowl With Water, Microwave Until Soft, Cool Down & Cut Smaller, Or Mash
Mango	Antioxidants, Vitamins & Added Dietary Fiber	Remove The Outer Skin Layer & Pit, Cut It Smaller, Add To Bowl With Water, Microwave Until Soft, Cool Down & Cut Smaller, Or Mash
Apples	Vitamins, Minerals & Added Dietary Fiber	Remove The Outer Skin Layer, Stalk, & Seeds, Cut Apple Smaller, Add To Bowl With Water, Microwave Until Soft, Cool Down & Cut Smaller, Or Mash

Treats

Goldfish treats are also a great way to get smaller or baby fish to grow due to the nutritional value of the treats. Treats should be kept to a minimum for adult fish as they can quickly gain weight.

Treat	Benefits	Preparation
Worms (Earthworms & Bloodworms) (Alive, Dried & Frozen)	High In Protein, Increased Growth Rate	Cut/Break Smaller To Fit Mouth Of Fish
Algae (Spirulina)	Improved Digestion, Boosted Immune System, Increased Metabolism, Improved Color	Dissolve Tablets Or Powder In Small Glass Of Water Or As Indicated On The Container (Flakes/Wafers)
Black Soldier Fly & Mosquito Larvae	Improved Color, Maintain Good Health, Protein, Improve Breeding, Increased Growth Rate	Transfer Directly To Tank
Brine Shrimp (Alive & Freeze Dried)	Vitamins A & D, High Protein, Increased Growth Rate	As Indicated On The Container Or Transfer Directly To Tank
Daphnia	Vitamins, Maintain Good Health, Improve Breeding, Increased Growth Rate	Transfer Directly To Tank
Krill (Freeze Dried)	Improved Color, Maintain Good Health, Protein, Increased Growth Rate	As Indicated On The Container Or Transfer Directly To Tank
Egg Yolk & Egg Tofu	Protein, Vitamins, Minerals	Small Tofu Portion Transfer Directly To Tank Broken Smaller Between Clean Fingers. Boiled Egg, Remove Shell & Whites, Let Cool, Remove Small Portion, Transfer Directly To Tank

Plants

My fish make quick work of green Rotala Indica, Duckweed, and Water Lettuce. You can experiment with what your fish like to eat and switch around some plants to make sure you get to know their preferences.

I struggled to keep up with the duckweed in my tank, so I started a separate container to grow them and added them to the fish tank when needed.

Food Storage Tips

I like to use ice trays and fill each area with enough food for the day for my goldfish. So, if I choose to incorporate deshelled peas and some raspberries this week, I will prepare them and portion them together.

I like to fill the tray with water. Hence, it becomes like a food ice cube that I can pop out once frozen and add to a labeled Ziplock freezer bag for convenience—this way, I ensure I have food available without cooking anything, actual fish food meal preparation.

Once I have taken out my chosen “food ice cube,” I will add it to a small, clean glass of warm water, where it is quickly defrosted and ready to be consumed within 10 – 15 minutes, depending on the temperature.