Goldfish do their best in water temperatures of 50 to 80 degrees. If the range can be narrowed to 60 to 70 degrees, so much the better. Whatever the temperature in which fish live, it is important to keep it constant, with no sudden changes.

You need not worry about the temperature of an outdoor pool, for in summer it will fall within the proper range. When the water cools off in fall and finally freezes over in the winter, the temperature change will be gradual enough for the fish to adjust easily to it. Don't worry if the fish slow up a bit as the water gets colder; just cut down on their food supply. The colder the water, the less active the fish. Their metabolic rate dwindles proportionately, and hence the need for less food.

The fish will be practically motionless by the time the pool freezes over, and will need no food at all while the pool remains ice-locked. A very sparse feeding is in order when the ice melts and the fish begin to move around again.

Don't fear, either, that the fish will smother under the ice. The colder the water, the more oxygen it can hold. The fish, in their near motionless state, use only a small percentage of what is available. Water gardeners

Care and Feeding of Goldfish 185

sometimes make small air holes in the ice and sprinkle occasional sparse feedings into it. This is not necessary, and there is some harm in it.

The water temperature in an aquarium requires more consideration, but it is easy to maintain at a safe point, too. Goldfish do well in winter in a room comfortable for human beings. Except for unheated corners of the basement, extremely cold bedrooms, and southern windows which get sun all day, almost any place in the house will do for an aquarium, as long as it has about two hours of direct sunlight daily.

Word of warning: A spot above a radiator is out of the question.

The warmer the water, the more oxygen it releases, and there is no surer death for goldfish than warm water.