Caring for goldfish is difficult enough; they’re notorious for their short life spans and require a great deal of attention and care. Not only that, but you have to pay attention to the smallest details, including the quality of their water.

The best thing to do is check with your local pet stores to see if the quality of your local tap water is acceptable for your fish. Water should be free of chlorine and chemicals before it is added to the aquarium. Often, letting the water sit for at least 8 hours allows the chlorine to evaporate. Use a clean, well-rinsed container for the fish, and also allow 8 hours for the water to come to room temperature before adding your fish back into the water.

The water should be adjusted to a neutral Ph level. Goldfish prefer a Ph of 7.2 to 7.6. Your pet store can recommend the proper chemicals and addition rates to adjust the water.

An aquarium that does not receive regular water changes and additions can cause ailments or death to goldfish. So be sure to clean out the tank or aquarium on a regular basis, changing out 10 to 15 percent of the water. When more than 25 percent is changed, this can often cause too drastic a temperature change.