goldfish

You're most likely going to get a lot of responses to this question...all telling you that you need like 10g per fish. I have three medium goldfish (one moor, two fantails) in a 10g right now...but I know that in maybe six months I need to move up a size. It is fine for a temporary basis, but do keep in mind that you're going to need an upgrade as they grow. Mine have grown considerably from when I purchased them. They were about 2" and now they are 3" with tail. It's been about a good two months that I've had them.

(I hear a lot of people jump down a persons throat for trying to put one goldfish in a 10g)

I use an excellent filter, because as you probably know goldfish are messy eaters and poop A LOT. haha If you clean it often, change the water out often, get a good filtering system going, and prepare for a move within six months or so then go for it. Otherwise get a 20g or buy a different type of fish.

right, just as stella says, you're going to need more close to 20 gallons per fish to be optimally comfortable for the fish. I guess you could go with 2 in a 30 gallon but a 40 would be best. Also as Stella says, Goldfish are messy fish and need a lot of maintenance to the tank in order to keep the parameters in check.

stellablu said:

You're most likely going to get a lot of responses to this question...all telling you that you need like 10g per fish.

Click to expand...

Goldfish need much more than 10 gallons per fish. Has anyone seen a fully grown goldfish in a 10 gallon tank? I have - and while it was somewhat disturbing to see, it was a holding tank for just an hour or so. That being the case, I could never see a goldfish in anything under 20-30 gallons minimum.

I'm assuming that you mean temporary and not long term...I'm not sure about the fan tail, but the black moor can get up to 10 inches, now considering a 10 gallon is only 10 inches wide, doesn't leave much room for comfort!

Exactly- and they then have no room to turn around. I know people try to be helpful when recommending the old "10 gallons each" rule, but it is really pointless. All someone has to do is think about how large a goldfish gets, and that should immediately set off red flags in ones head that perhaps this isn't the ideal setup after all. Nonetheless, anything is better at this point (short term).

exactly, being a newbie to goldfish (well, I had them when I was a kid without the experience) I have quickly learned just how quickly these guys grow when given the optimum environment. I wouldn't even suggest something as small as a 10 gallon temporarily. These guys grow so fast, the 10 gallon would need to be replaced in a few weeks at best. I say if you have a 10 gallon, choose different fish.

Amen!

And then you have those of us who say 30 gallons minimum per goldfish...like me.

I'm all for 1 GF per 30 gallons although I did keep a hillstream loach (sold to me as a Hong Kong Plec) in with him.

I blame the fairgrounds for the goldfish in a bowl myth.