It’s actually a non-weird question, this time…that is, could anyone recommend a big, authoritative book on Goldfish?
I’m doing some Christmas shopping for my mother, who’s just started keeping goldfish again, in an outdoor pond. And she’s really looking for an in-depth book on the subject.
Can…anyone help?
General Questions is for questions with factaul answers. IMHO is for opinions.
Off to IMHO.
DrMatrix - GQ Moderator
Crap…nothing? 
I’m not really sure if by goldfish, you mean something like regular Comets, Koi, or some of the fancier goldfish (Orandas, Moors, Celestial Eyes, etc.). My thinking would be to get a really good book on goldfish, starting with the basics of origins, varieties, etc. and then an in depth look at physiology, common illnesses and treatments, with a heavy emphasis on water quality and problem prevention. One book that fits this bill is Fancy Goldfish: A Complete Guide To Care And Collecting. It’s available through Amazon, but I like how that site lays out the chapters.
Since she is keeping them in a pond, I would go with a book that talks about water quality basics (nitrogen cycle, testing, filtration, etc.), maintenance, keeping a balance (fish, plants, water movement), and seasonal considerations. Your Healthy Garden Pond covers things pretty well IMHO, and can apply to most types of fish.
I think the first book is more important, since it does cover water quality, but the second book does cover some things the first doesn’t. A lot of the information is stuff I wish I had laid out for me, from the very beginning. Cool idea for a present, btw, and I hope she has fun.