Can Goldfish Eat Rice?

A goldfish swims gracefully in a freshwater aquarium (Adobe Stock)

I read recently that goldfish are omnivores and that it’s common practice among goldfish owners to supplement their fish’s diet with vegetables. This got me wondering, can goldfish eat rice? They can certainly eat shelled peas and seem to enjoy a very varied diet, so I decided to do some research to see if that diet can extend to cooked rice. Uncooked rice is certainly not an option.

So, can goldfish eat rice? The simple answer is yes, they can technically eat rice, and some goldfish owners have reported that their goldfish seem to love eating small amounts of cooked rice. However, it is not recommended that you feed your goldfish rice, and it’s definitely not standard practice.

If you do want to feed your goldfish rice, you should make sure it is thoroughly cooked – never feed your goldfish raw rice. You shouldn’t feed your goldfish more than a few grains of rice at a time, and you should not rely on rice as a regular dietary supplement. Your goldfish will benefit from a varied diet, but there are far healthier options than rice available to you.

Can Goldfish Digest Rice?

Even though goldfish do seem to enjoy rice, it is not a recommended part of their diet. In fact, experts agree that feeding goldfish carbohydrate-rich human foods that are high in starch content is never a good idea. Goldfish cannot actually digest these foods, and over time, it can lead to illness and even death.

The goldfish digestive system is made up of intestinal tissue that secretes enzymes that break down proteins, fats, and simple carbohydrates. Goldfish do not have stomachs – their intestinal tissue breaks down the food they eat as it passes through their digestive tract. Because goldfish lack a stomach, they have no means of storing food so that it can be broken down over a period of several hours.

Rice is a complex carbohydrate that requires more time to break down than insects, larvae, and plant matter. So, when a goldfish eats rice, it cannot fully digest it immediately, the way it does other foods. The rice will remain in the goldfish’s intestines until it can be slowly and thoroughly broken down. This can cause severe digestive issues for the goldfish, especially if you feed them rice on a regular basis.

Why You Shouldn't Feed Your Goldfish Rice

Orange and white ornamental goldfish (Adobe Stock)

Based on anecdotal evidence, it’s pretty clear that goldfish will happily gobble up rice if it is given to them. However, even though goldfish can and will eat rice, it is never a good idea to feed it to them. Apart from the digestive issues it causes, goldfish derive little to no nutritional value from the rice.

Some goldfish owners recommend feeding goldfish brown rice or wild rice instead of white rice, arguing that it has greater nutritional value. However, just as with white rice, brown rice and wild rice are difficult for goldfish to digest. Both brown rice and wild rice are whole-grain cereals. Unlike white rice, they are not husked and contain bran and germ, which are even harder for fish to digest.

Uncooked rice is completely impossible for goldfish to digest, although they might swallow the grains whole. If you feed your goldfish uncooked rice, their digestive system will shut down completely, leading to bloating and a painful death.

Why Do Some People Feed Their Goldfish Rice?

Given the fact that rice is so unhealthy for goldfish, I had to ask myself why people persist in feeding it to them. It turns out there are a number of reasons, the vast majority of which are well-meaning attempts to improve the health and quality of life of their goldfish.

Fresh food diet

Like all pet owners, goldfish owners just want the best for their finned companions. Just like many cat and dog owners these days are turning to fresh food options for their animals, goldfish owners also want to do their best to provide their fish with fresh, natural foods. Many goldfish owners feel that feeding their fish flake or pellet-style fish foods is not a good option.

A lot of goldfish owners feed their fish solely on fresh bloodworms, insects, and pulped vegetables. However, since most dry fish foods contain filler ingredients like oatmeal, brown rice and white rice, goldfish owners believe that they also have to provide these foods to their fish in their fresh form. As we now know, these foods are not digestible for goldfish.

Dietary variety

Goldfish owners also want to provide their pets with a nice variety of foods in order to mimic their dietary habits in the wild. While many choose to supplement their dry goldfish diet with worms and plants, others go even further with dietary additions like potatoes and rice. These foods are not good for goldfish – they simply cannot digest complex carbohydrates effectively.

Unreliable information

Unfortunately, there are a number of websites out there that actively recommend feeding rice to goldfish. The reasons for this are hard to fathom, especially when it is clear from reliable veterinary sources that rice is not a good option for your goldfish. However, many well-meaning goldfish owners rely on these websites for pointers on goldfish care.

A bit of fun

This is admittedly one of the least common reasons why people feed their goldfish rice, but based on the forums I looked at, it seems that many people like to feed their goldfish rice for fun. Some think it’s hilarious to watch goldfish gobble down human food, while others are looking to make viral videos. Either way, it’s irresponsible and very harmful to the goldfish.

How Can I Supplement My Goldfish Diet?

Goldfish in aquarium (Adobe Stock)

So, given everything I have learned about why not to feed rice to your goldfish, my next question was, how can I give my goldfish a varied and interesting diet without hurting them? It turns out there are a lot of things you can do to keep your goldfish happy and healthy without relying solely on flake or pellet fish foods. Since goldfish have an omnivorous diet in the wild, you have a lot of choice when it comes to supplementing their diet. Some easy options include

• Shelled baby peas, cooked to a mashed consistency

• Fruit like orange slices, skinned grapes and diced watermelon

• Insects like crickets and mosquitoes

• Fish roe like caviar

• Brine shrimp

• Bloodworms

• Daphnia, which is a type of small freshwater crustacean

• Freshwater snails

• Squid

• Mosquito larvae

• Algae and algae wafers

• Aquarium plants like anacharis, duckweed, water wisteria, Indian water fern and hornwort

• Cooked or softened leafy greens like chard, kale and lettuce (can be softened by steeping in warm water)

• Vegetables like broccoli, corn, zucchini and cucumber – these can be cooked or chopped finely and steeped in water. You can also give your goldfish raw, thinly sliced cucumbers or zucchini

If you choose to supplement your goldfish diet with crustaceans and other small aquatic animals, you might be better off going with the frozen variety. There is less chance of transmitting disease to your goldfish if you use frozen shrimp for instance, versus fresh shrimp. Also make sure that you don’t overfeed your goldfish. They do love to eat but too much of a good thing can be very bad for them.

What Do Goldfish Eat in the Wild?

Calico Oranda goldfish (Adobe Stock)

Goldfish in their natural habitat are opportunistic omnivores, meaning that they will eat anything they come across as long as it’s small enough. A typical goldfish diet in the wild will include

• Mosquitoes and mosquito larvae

• Small crustaceans like shrimp

• Smaller fish

• Insects

• Small frogs and tadpoles

• Fish and frog roe

• Algae

• Zooplankton

• Aquatic plants

• Dead animal and plant matter, typically found at the bottom of ponds

Goldfish eat almost constantly and need a varied and heavy diet whether they are in the wild or living in captivity. Due to their high caloric needs, goldfish will eat pretty much anything you give them.

Final Thoughts: Keeping Goldfish Healthy and Happy

While goldfish may eagerly eat rice if offered, it’s clear that this food provides little nutritional benefit and poses real risks to their digestive health. Goldfish thrive on a varied diet rich in vegetables, insects, and aquatic plants that more closely mirror what they would eat in the wild. By avoiding starchy, hard-to-digest foods like rice and instead focusing on fresh, safe, and nutrient-rich options, you’ll not only protect your goldfish from potential illness but also ensure they live longer, healthier, and more vibrant lives.