I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment...

[aquaticgypsy]

I just found out that my three new commet goldfish are barely hatchlings and will grow up to a foot long and live for about 20 years !!! I only have a ten gallon aquarium and am wondering, How long do I have till I have to get a 50 gallon(or more) ?!? Also, when they are fully grown will they try to eat the glass fish and rosey barbs? What should I be feeding them now so that they stay healthy? Please Help! I think I'm desperate. :-/.

                                                   ~aquaticgypsy
p.s. - I'll make u a deal. If you help
me, I owe u a beer *celebratesmiley*
                                         

 

[Nativefish Boy]

Actually the most goldfish can live up to 40 years! i had mine in a ten gallon for a long time and it was about 9-10 inches when i took him to the pet shop.  He was in with 3 others and they all lasted about 5-6 years before some died of freak deaths. They also won't do anything to any of the other fishes. the only problem is that goldfish produce alot of ammoina which is not good for other fish but the goldfish can stand higher levels of it. I would suggest removing them into a larger tank by them selves in a few years, maybe 2-3. Hope this helps some. *thumbsupsmiley*

 

[koolkatzfish]

Goldfish are coolwater fish , the barbs and glassfish need warmer water.  It is not good to mix them.  Also some glass fish are actually brackish fish (the ones that are normally painted or injected with colored dye).  You may want to take the goldfish back and stick with the other fish.  Eventually the goldfish will need a very large tank/pond.  
This is the important reason why you should always research a fish before you buy it.  Plus when stocking a tank keep the adult size fish in mind, not the size when you buy them.  A general rule of thumb is 1" of fish per gallon, but with goldfish you have to allow 2-3 inches because they produce so much waste.  
It is very confusing, especially in the beginning.  It would help if fish stores would check on your tank size before selling a fish that will get too large.  Or at least inform people of the possible size they will get to.

 

[aquaticgypsy]

Actually, I found out that the comet goldfish do best in the same water temp that my other fish do - 78 degrees. The pet shop people have lost my trust   *thumbsdown2* because they told me the goldfish would stay thier 1 and 1/2 inch size! I'm glad for the info. Maybe I will build a pond. Also, if anyone knows, how do you tell the difference between a male and a female? I don't think I will need anymore huge fish than I already will have!

                                              ~aquaticgypsy
                                           

 

[colesea]

How do you mean do best? Goldfish may be okay at 78oF, but this is not ideal for them. Because they grow big, it is best they grow slow, thus having a slower metabolism as provided by cooler waters (66oF to 70oF).  Goldfish at higher temps will need to eat more to fuel their big bodies, thus also produce more waste (urin/excreament) and increase the ammonnia level of their tank that much faster. Also, being coldwater fish, goldfish need more oxygen for respiration than tropical fish do. Cold water hold more oxygen than warm water. Goldfish keep in warm, poorly oxygenated water, tend to gasp at the surface more and swim "anxiously" around the tank, which means their metabolosim is on hyperdrive.

I would take your goldfish out of 78oF water as soon as you can.
~~Colesea