The native land of Goldfish plant is the tropics of Central America, Costa Rica and the Caribbean. In wild nature this is an epiphytic plant, so under indoor conditions it feels good grown in hanging baskets. Goldfish plant is a wonderful present for those who are fond of window gardening, for its whimsical orange flowers may be a gorgeous ornament of the room. Goldfish plant got its name justly, as its intricate flowers give an impression of flying goldfish.

Types of Goldfish Plant

Nematanthus is a widespread houseplant that is also called “Goldfish plant”. Its flowers seem to be half-closed and have a form of a small pouch with bulged edge. Thus they remind goldfish without spinal fin. The flowers are generally orange and red, but hybrids may vary in coloration. The leaves are small, thick and succulent. Nematanthus tends to branch, that’s why specialists recommend growing it in a hanging basket.

Another type of Goldfish plant is known as Columnea. Columnea includes 200 various species, and the most popular are Columnea glabra, Columnea orientandina and Columnea flexiflora. The flowers are large, bright and tubular, too. The most prevalent colors are red, orange and yellow.

What Should You Know About Goldfish Plant Maintenance?

Goldfish plant is not difficult to care for, yet you should take into consideration the plant’s peculiarities of life in wild nature. As Goldfish plant is originally a tropical epiphytic plant, you should make the conditions of its maintenance similar to the natural ones.

The plant requires good air circulation and bright light, but it shouldn’t be kept in direct sunrays. Temperature should be equal to 55F and higher, as Goldfish plant is frost tender. However, some species need cooler temperatures for originally they grow at high altitude.

Much attention should be paid to the humidity. You should water the plant regularly, so that the soil is always a bit moist. However in winter it is necessary to let it dry out a little. The leaves should be sprinkled twice or at least once a day to prevent the plant from mealy bugs.

The plant prefers to be cramped, and it is blossoming better when potbound. You may fertilize soil when the plant is blooming, but in winter it is not necessary. Goldfish plant refers to seasonal bloomers, so if you want your plant to blossom in any season you should better purchase a hybrid. The plant should be pruned after flowering.

So, this fascinating plant is comparatively easy to cultivate. And even if you have not succeeded and your Goldfish plant seems to be ill or injured, you may just cut a stem and implant it. After a while, you will enjoy looking at this luxurious plant flowering again.

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If you like goldfish and wish to have some, fantail goldfish are considered to be the best type for the beginners. It is comparatively large, sturdy and not very capricious. Fantail goldfish get their name due to their beautiful anal fin – it is long and furcated. The colors of the fish may vary from bronze to red, calico is also possible. Beautiful matt, metallic or nacreous scale imparts great charm to the fish.

Some Tips on Maintaining Fantail Goldfish

You may choose a spacious goldfish aquarium, supplied with filter. But the most splendid about fantail goldfish is that this type is ideal for maintaining in ponds. Just imagine shoals of this beautiful creatures rushing in your garden pond! The matter is that fantail goldfish refer to cold water fishes, and they feel comfortable when the temperature of the water is really low.

You can decorate your aquarium or pond with various aquatic plants that are suitable to this particular type of goldfish. You are likely to be offered Crinum, Anubias, Elodea (Egeria) and java moss in garden centres. These plants are commonly used as ornament for goldfish aquarium.

Fantail goldfishes usually eat the same food as other types, that is pellets, blood worms, cereal, and bread. You should also make sure that the fish gets some vegetables like sliced carrots, peas, lettuce and other. It is also important to alter the amount of food depending on the temperature of the water.

If You Have Decided to Rear the Fry

Fantail goldfish should be kept preferably in groups, not alone. Therefore, you have all chances to make the fish spawn, in addition fantail goldfish is known to be the easiest to breed. You need just to follow some tips.

First of all, the fish should be properly fed. You should make its ratio multifarious, the food should be given regularly and the amount of it should be enough. Then, you should gradually lower the temperature of the water in the aquarium or pond in order to simulate the period of repose. In approximately a month, you should raise the temperature in the same way, and that will bring the mature well-fed fish to spawning condition.

Another important point is preparing the pond for the spawn and the fry. It is significant, for the large fish may eat the eggs and newly hatched fish if there is no place where they may be hidden. That is why, the bottom of the pond or aquarium should be covered with grained substrate, and java moss should be planted. These measures should be taken to help the spawn survive. As for the fry, you should ascertain that your pond has both open areas, where large fishes swim, as well as heavily planted ones, which would impede the large individuals from comfortable swimming, but will be the best place for the fry to hide in.

Fantail goldfish is an amazingly beautiful fish that may decor your room or your garden. Besides that, as you may see, it is not so complicated to breed it and to maintain the large and the young fish. So, if you wish to have a goldfish and yet you are not sure in success of keeping it, fantail goldfish is the best type to start with.

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