adding something else then fish

honger18

Registered Member
Sep 1, 2004
4
0
0
Belgium
Hi,
I'm new at the whole fishkeeping. I got 2 small fantails (2-3cm without the taill) in a 20 liter tank. I think from what I've read that that is allready small so I don't want to add any fish to it. (I change 25% of the water twice a week)
However I was thinking that adding some sort of critter to the setup would be nice. maybe a small shrimp-like thing or something. But I have no idea what can coexist with the two goldfish. Obviously something that shares the same needs but maybe something that actually helps the environment by eating leftover food from the fish for example.
anyone any ideas ?
 
Whatever you add to the tank muct be able to not fit in the goldfish's mouth. They are very good at eating everything. If you want to try shrimp (not crayfish or lobsters or crabs) then try the cheapest you can find. And offer them places to hide out.

Large snails like apple snails might be another good choice as well.
 
Thanks ! that apple snail sure looks nice, are they easy to take care off ?
You don't seem to recommend the shrimp ( i only mentioned it because I saw someone mentioning ghost shrimp, whatever they are) Do you know any other bottom dwellers ?
 
Well shrimp are fine to try, but there is a good chance the goldfish will eat them unless they have lots of cover to hide in. And then you won't get to see them very often anyway.

The apple snails are easy to take care of. They will eat left over food or pieces of veggies. The trick will be feeding them without the goldfish eating all the food.

Generally goldfish are pretty much tank loners as they get huge, produce lots of waste and eat anything that will fit in their mouth. A really big snail is about the only thing I can think of that will work in those conditions.
 
20 litres actually equals about 5 gallons. That is much too small for goldfish and that is why no other fish can go in that tank. When the fish start to grow I would highly suggest getting a much bigger tank to house them, or else trading them to the fish store for new fish. Most fish stores will take older large fish in on trade.
 
I would not put ghost shrimp in with goldfish unless you want them eaten ..... I take my little brother to big als every few weeks to buy ghost shrimp to feed his goldfish.
Even the big shrimp are gone in a few days. My brother thinks its great fun though!
 
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