Goldfish Questions

[Jbass88]

Hi everyone,

So this if my first tank since I was like 5 (I'm 24 now) and I have some questions on building a small tank. Currently I have a 10g tank with 1 fancy goldfish (which I have read is too small a tank but its only an inch and a half big right now) and 3 painted glass tetras. The tank has a 10g bubbler split into 2 locations of the tank as well as a 10/20g filter. I wanted one more goldfish (which im guessing is a no no) a plecko, a kori (sp?), and a few guppies, maybe another tetra or 2.

anyway my question is will another fancy goldfish be ok in the 10g for an extended period of time ie a year plus let alone the one I have?

Currently the fish seems happy and heathy spending about 80% of his time mid level to bottom of the tank. The fish seems to like to chase bubbles at the top but I think that's just him playing or adjusting (he was in a bowl for about a week) because he doesn't do it often.

Any advice would be great.
Thanks! *thumbsups

 

[exhumed07]

I would not advise adding another gold fish into that tank. if you want to do something liek that i would suggest buying a 30 gallon or larger. also guppies breed realy fast and will over stock a 10 gallon tank unless all u buy are females. tetras do better in schools of at least 10. the pleco would be ok depending on species such as a small clown or bushynose. a couple cory cats would be fine though.

 

[Jbass88]

Cool, we do want more want more tetras when we get more cash, a clown plecko was exactly what we were looking at and glad u suggested a cupple


As for my one goldfish, think it will be ok in the 10gal for a while with some other fish (like the ones listed above) or am I just setting myself up for failure?

 

[Jbass88]

Also any Guppieish fish you could suggest that don't breed that fast (I more than believe you that they breed fast my bosses guppies just had baby's and he's had his tank less than a month)

Or how do I tell they are female?

 

[FreshyFresh]

As for my one goldfish, think it will be ok in the 10gal for a while with some other fish (like the ones listed above) or am I just setting myself up for failure?

As much as I love them too, I'd re-home the goldfish. Minimum recommended tank size for a fancy goldfish is 30g (I'd think a 29g would do too). Then an additional 10gal per additional fancy goldfish.

If it was a Comet goldfish, a single Comet can outgrow a 55gal.

Your other option is the dollar per gallon sale at Petco!!! I went that route with my 55g.. ~$375 later I'm ready for some fish. LOL!

 

[Jbass88]

Ya ive been doing a lot of research on the fish (something I should have done before I bought him) and 10 is small im hoping he lasts long enough to be put into a proper tank. Im also really glad we went with the fancy goldfish instead of a comet because I knew they got big but didn't realize they needed so much room. (apparently a common mistake)

Well if im lucky the little guy will be happy until I can get him a bigger home. If anyone has any other advice or input on my 10g tank it would defiantly be appreciated, I would like the fish I have to have as long a life as possible. So far ive been lucky with only one goldfish death (but having 2 in a bowl was kinda dumb).

Thanks for all the input everyone! *BOUNCINGS

 

[Jbass88]

Heres a good question at least I think... If a fantailed like I have only needs 1g per inch and they only reach 6inchs give or take how is 10 not enough... Ph reasons from their high waste? or is it because of their overall size when they fully mature?

 

[FreshyFresh]

1gal per inch does not apply to goldfish. IMO, it's a basic rule of thumb for relatively clean, lower waste producing tropicals like tetras and danios.

Your other major problem is goldfish are cold water fish. They will be much more prone to disease and spreading disease in your tank if you keep it heated for tropicals.

 

[Jbass88]

Right on! Appreciate the clarification. Well def going to look into a 20/30 just for him then and keep the 10g for our smaller fish! Thanks everyone for your help!!

 

[FreshyFresh]

Right on! Appreciate the clarification. Well def going to look into a 20/30 just for him then and keep the 10g for our smaller fish! Thanks everyone for your help!!

Grab yourself a petco 29/30 for $30 and an appropriate aquaclear filter and you'll be set! Just think of the money you'll save by not needing a heater!! (kidding).

 

[Jbass88]

lol w00t w00t!

 

[Jbass88]

one last question if you all dont mind... My goldfish spends some time at the top though doesnt seem to be having any issues breathing (very active fish) so im not sure if hes just playing with the bubbles at the top or trying to get more air... i have the filter and a 10g bubbler split into to ends of the tank... he seems to spend most of time swimming around at various levels of the tank... when hes at rest he is mid level to bottom of the tank... just dont want him to suffocate and im not sure how much time at the top is too much time.

 

[FreshyFresh]

As far as I know, they enjoy all layers of the water column, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. Goldies can make it some really horrible water conditions too.

 

[Jbass88]

Very cool! its a beautiful fish cant wait to get it a proper home just need the cash but shouldn't be to long.

 

[exhumed07]

definatly listen to freshy. he knows what he is talking about. I'm more of an african cichlid person. my only experience with goldfish is for catfish bait lol. but i totally agree with everything freshy said.

oh and the 1 inch of fish per gallon rule as he stated is more for small tropical fish. with goldfish it's more like 20 gallons for 1 and an additional 10 for every other one u may get. so say 4 goldfish u need 50 gallons. for some reason gold fish produce a large bioload compaired to most other fish.

 

[OrangeCones]

My goldfish spends some time at the top though doesnt seem to be having any issues breathing (very active fish) so im not sure if hes just playing with the bubbles at the top or trying to get more air

As mentioned by others, goldfish are a coldwater fish. Cold water holds more oxygen than warm water, and he's likely trying to get a gulp of more oxygen.

 

[Jbass88]

also good to know thank you... Just a small update have a bigger school of glass tetras (6 total), a cory, and made the stupid mistake of putting neons in there (goldfish ate them). Oh well next purchase is a 30g for my goldfish maybe a 40 so i can add another later not sure yet lol!

Also ive been keeping a close eye on my chemical levels and so far everything is normal with a slight ammonia level (about .02) which im hoping i can maintain while my goldfish waits for his bigger home. (i have an ammonia reducer that i plan on using during my next water change which im doing once a week)

 

[Thyra]

I certainly wouldn't put any more fish in that 10g tank until you get your gold fish out of there. Any ammonia is too much. I didn't go back and all your info (been on vacataion) but welcome to the forum!

 

[Jbass88]

Thank you... we are definitely not putting anymore fish in that tank until we get the goldfish a new/bigger tank. (hoping to get a 40 so i can have 2) Watching ammonia levels like a hawk is tiresome and hopfully wont have to do it much longer so i can put some smaller fish in and not worry about the goldfish eating them.

Also welcome back from vaca!