2.5 gallon aquarium

[lauraasaurusrex]

I am really, really new to fish keeping. My son won a goldfish at a fair, we named him Clyde and put him in a 2.5 gallon aquarium. THEN I did some research. In the 4 months that we have had Clyde I have really become attached. Because of that, and my research, I am going to get him a 20 gallon aquarium this weekend. It is the largest I can afford. I am going to get him a tank mate, another goldfish. I have heard conflicting reports, some say they need 10 gallons per fish and some say 20 per fish. But I can't stand him being alone and I can't afford a 40 gallon tank. So, first, I want to verify that these two fish are the most a 20 gallon tank can support. And second, should I just toss the 2.5 gallon aquarium or would it be a nice home for a betta, or a small school of fish?

Thank you.

 

[KcMopar]

A gold fish will get big!! Most get between 8-10" for small/medium and others get 18"+ Two gold fish would need at least 40-ish gallons if they are the smaller type. Most gold fish at the fair for prizes are feeder gold fish and these guys get big in most cases. I have three that have survived my Oscars and are 8+ inches in about 14 months. I would hold off on any more fish as gold fish produce lots of waste and really pollute a small tank. If he is only a inch or two you could get away with the 10G for a little while. Weekly water changes would need to be done to so he can maintain good health. I would not set-up a 2.5G tank but some people really enjoy them.

 

[lauraasaurusrex]

I'm moving Clyde to a 20 gallon, not a 10. If it is too small for another goldfish, could I put in other, smaller fish?

I think I might ditch the 2.5, but am still thinking about a betta for it. All of these fish sites say different things!

 

[KcMopar]

OK, the 20 is fine for one GF and another smaller compatible fish that the gold fish will not eat.

 

[Fuzz16]

Goldfish are Goldwater. Dojo loaches and danios are good goldfish tankmates. A 20g is small but you could get a group of 5 danios. May wanna look into a pound home though, those comets can get up to a foot easily.

2.5 would be fine for. Betta, not king bettas like petco sells. And mystery snail would be an ok tankmate

 

[lauraasaurusrex]

What's a pound home? He's a common, but I know they can get big and live for a long time.

 

[Thyra]

You won't need a heater for the gold fish, but for a betta in the 2.5 g tank you will need a small heater. As for goldfish growing fast, I am not disagreeing with anyone, but my feeder goldfish that I put in an outside stock tank have not grown that fast. A couple have been in there 3 years and still are only about 4 inches. It may have a lot to do with how they are fed.

 

[lauraasaurusrex]

I don't know if I'll need a heater, I only just bought a thermometer that is hovering around 82-84 degrees, which I know is typically too hot for a goldfish. Clyde doesn't seem to mind it. I assume, since they sell heaters, they sell...something that will help keep the water cooler? His 20 gallon will be in a different location, so I'll have to see what the temp range is in that corner.

 

[Fuzz16]

Meant pond, sorry

And no heater needed if tanks sitting warm. I don't have one in my 46g and it runs 84.