1. Buy the biggest tank possible.
A 20 gallon is minimum for one, but most people can't live with one fish in such a large tank, so buy bigger!

2. Buy hardy plants.
Hornwort, anacharis, duckweed, and algae are your best friends.

3. Invest in goldfish food.
You will want good quality goldfish flakes, brine shrimp, and bloodworms, along with a wide assortment of veggies such as:
Romain lettuce*
Carrots**
Zucchini*
Cucumber*
Dandelion greens*
*Boiled
**Cut up into small bits and boiled

4. Keep the tank spacious.
Not very aesthetically pleasing, but you will notice the difference in your fish's health if you place but one or two rocks with tons of anchored plants will provide plenty enough grazing and swimming areas.

5. Invest in an uber filter!
Find a filter that is rated for your size tank and buy the next biggest size! goldfish make lots of waste, and an uber powerfilter is best suited to their needs.

6. Use good lighting.
Lighting causes chemical changes in goldfish skin cell pigmentation, and will produce vibrant hues when using a sun-glo type of bulb.

7. Resist the urge to kill!
DON'T OVERFEED!!! With so many plants in the tank, the goldfish will be able to find enough nutrients in the form of algae and debris. SAY NO TO EXTRA FEEDINGS!!!

8. Keep the water parameters steady.
This refers to keeping the pH at about 7.2, nitrites, nitrates, and ammonia at 0, temperature around 60-70, and not doing many water changes. Many will object to the last statement, but doing a weekly water change rids the water of not only the waste *good* but the algae and plant debris goldfish need to survive. Every two weeks is fine.

9. Give them company!
Goldfish are quite social, 2 being the minimal amount. Try not to mix them with fish other than:
Bitterlings
Weather Loaches
Koi
Channel Catfish
**Note- MAny other fish will snack on goldfish slime, and will eventually pick your goldfish to death avoid the following at ALL COSTS:
Livebearers
Cichlids**

10. Domesticate them!
There's nothing more fun than teaching your goldfish to follow your hand for a piece of zucchini, or training them to accept a pat on the head. Don't forget to actually WATCH your goldfish!