Time to add more fish

[JaxeN]

I've got a 5.5 gallon tank with 1 goldfish. I used to have 2 goldfish but 1 died last week. I've been cycling for the past 2 months and i think im done, water has been looking really clean lately and no sign of goldfish gasping at top of water. I want to add some more fish now because its getting lonely in my tank. So, i have two questions below:

1. What are some compatible fish to go with my red cap aranda goldfish? i was thinking of adding some type of small fish that doesnt grow too large so that i can add a small school, like a community tank.

2. For a small 5.5 gallon tank, do i really need an air pump? As of now i am not using one.

[Lauren]

You will have to get rid of your gold fish if you want more fish. Gold fish need their room, and they are cold water fish, making them very hard to pair with tropical fish. One or the other friend, I'm sorry.

You won't be able to squeeze more than a hand full into a 5.5 gallon tank. Perhaps a small school of tetras, or other small fish. 5.5 is a little small for a community tank.

Do you have a filtration system, or is it just sitting water? Watch goldie. If she is swimming up to the surface and taking gulps of air periodically, then yeah, you should get an air pump. But if your filter is putting enough oxygen into the tank, or you have enough plants, and your fish is content below the surface, you should be fine without one.

Also, are you testing your water and cycling it regularly? The fact that you just lost a fish makes it appear as though you are in fact not ready for more fish. Sorry.

[PumaWard]

Your goldfish will eventually outgrow your 5.5g. Goldies can get quite big... I think goldene owns (sorry if I spelt that wrong) some goldfish that are 7"+... There are some pictures of them in the coldwater forum.

For now, your goldfish will probably be okay, but I think that they are fast growers, so you'll need a new tank soon.

[JaxeN]

Can goldfish live in salt water tanks? because if my goldfish gets too big, i was thinking of just putting it into my dad's 100 gallon tank in the livingroom.

[Lauren]

Originally posted by JaxeN
Can goldfish live in salt water tanks? because if my goldfish gets too big, i was thinking of just putting it into my dad's 100 gallon tank in the livingroom.

I highly doubt it.