Almost in every topic on cycle someone will suggest picking up a couple of feeder goldfish and cycling the tank with them, I have tried to correct people in the past but once the next topic on cycle appears someone still throws in the goldfish deal.
DO NOT USE GOLDFISH TO CYCLE YOUR FISH TANK!
There are generally two big reasons why you should not do it:
First your tank will generally be setup for tropical fish, while Goldfish would need completely different care such as lower temperatures and high pH Goldfish are susceptible to disease in a tropical environment!
Second Goldfish that people buy to cycle the tank are usually feeder Goldfish. Same idea applies why you should not feed your fish Goldfish applies to this in stores they are kept in horrible conditions (500 feeders in a 33 long tank is what my local store does) and are not really cared for which means there are all kinds of diseases and parasites going around. Once you introduce those feeders into your tank whatever disease they have may catch on to your filter and in result kill your fish.
Here are some references that explain this in more detail and some provide other reasons:
Some Reasons Not to Use Goldfish to Cycle Your Tank
Nitrogen Cycle (small section on it)
The Process of Cycling a Fish Tank
If you need more information, use Google, it is easy to find information on this subject.
DO NOT USE GOLDFISH TO CYCLE YOUR FISH TANK!
There are generally two big reasons why you should not do it:
First your tank will generally be setup for tropical fish, while Goldfish would need completely different care such as lower temperatures and high pH Goldfish are susceptible to disease in a tropical environment!
Second Goldfish that people buy to cycle the tank are usually feeder Goldfish. Same idea applies why you should not feed your fish Goldfish applies to this in stores they are kept in horrible conditions (500 feeders in a 33 long tank is what my local store does) and are not really cared for which means there are all kinds of diseases and parasites going around. Once you introduce those feeders into your tank whatever disease they have may catch on to your filter and in result kill your fish.
Here are some references that explain this in more detail and some provide other reasons:
Some Reasons Not to Use Goldfish to Cycle Your Tank
Nitrogen Cycle (small section on it)
The Process of Cycling a Fish Tank
If you need more information, use Google, it is easy to find information on this subject.
anything but goldfish , tetra's , small convict's , if able to catch wild fry from river or stream.. anything but goldfish.... 