Fancy Godfish

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kmgriff72

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Jun 5, 2006
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Hi, I am new and have never done FW. I have a 75 gallon tank that I want to start with on Fw. My question is, how easy are the Fany Goldfish (at least that is what the LFS calls them). The fish are about 2-3 inches and have what looks like a brain sitting on top of their heads or the other ones have huge eyes. I think they are cute looking and would be pretty in my tank. I have heard that goldfish are messy and was wondering in a 75 gallon how often would I need to do water changes and any other things special that need to be done for them.... Any advice would be appreciated.

75 gallon tank with a Fluval 404 filter (cannister filter) No powerheads--do I need some? :help:
 
try goldfishparadise.com. That's where I learned just about everything I needed to know when I had fancy goldfish. You'll want only 7 fish maximum in that tank (1 per 10 gallons) but add them slowly so your tank cycles properly. Fancy goldfish aren't great for cycling a tank, since they're inbred and not genetically strong (on average).

First read up on cycling a tank and the nitrogen cycle in aquariums. Then, get the basics of goldfish keeping down. I switched from goldfish to tropicals because the goldfish were far more work (larger water changes and unpredictable health). You may want to start with easier fish like livebearers or other community fish (I've found rainbows to be pretty hardy).

You won't want powerheads with goldfish because they don't like current. If you do get them, aim them at the surface for oxygenation. You'll probably want additional filtration, too, just in case yours fails. Goldfish will very quickly kill themselves in an unfiltered tank. Good luck!

Andy
 
I would actually figure out what the normal filtration for the average 75 gallon tank was and double that due to the messiness of the goldies. I have 2 in a 30 or 35 gallon (tank was used and given to me) and I have the filtration for a 60 gallon tank. When it comes to weekly water changes, instead of going for the 25% - 30%, aim more for 50% with regular gravel upkeep. Mine are thriving with this regimen. I should also caution you that if you are going to go with the fancy goldie tank, be sure to feed them sinking food/pellets as the fancies are highly susceptable to swim bladder issues and the sinking food helps keep the risk lower.
 
The ones with the "things on their heads" are orandas. The ones with the funny eyes are probably bubble eyes. It's not a good idea to mix the two of them.

There are three different types of goldfish: Pond Comets/Shubunkins, Fancies and Very Fancies. Comets and Shubunkins can get to 2' in size and are not suitable for aquaria. Fancies are moores, fantails, orandas and Ryukins. Very Fancies are lionheads, bubble-eyes and anything else that has stuff on their heads and no dorsal fin.

None of these should be mixed as each one does not like fish that move slower than they do. In otherwords, a comet will kill a Fancy, because the Fancy is very slow moving. A Fancy will harrass and possibly kill a Very Fancy for the same reason.

Because Very Fancies do not have dorsal fins, and it slows them down a lot. They also have difficulty with their sight because of all the stuff on their heads and often have problems eating.

All of the Fancy varieties are derived from "deformed" comets. Because of their body shape, a lot of them develop swim bladder problems. You can guard against that by making sure you don't feed them on the surface, be careful when changing the water than they don't get any turbulence, and provide adequate filteration without blowing them around the tank.

On a 75g I would recommend either 2 cannister filters or 1 and a powerhead. This is to make sure that the water circulates properly. Your Fluval is fine, however you may wish to consider adding another one as goldfish are very messy.

You can put 4 goldfish in the 75g. I know that doesn't sound like much, but these fish are VERY messy and need a minimum of 15 gallons per fish, and many people recommend 20-30 gallons per fish. They will aslo grow 8-10", depending on the type you get, and will grow quickly in the right environment.

HTH
Roan
 
drgold said:
try goldfishparadise.com. That's where I learned just about everything I needed to know when I had fancy goldfish. You'll want only 7 fish maximum in that tank (1 per 10 gallons) but add them slowly so your tank cycles properly. Fancy goldfish aren't great for cycling a tank, since they're inbred and not genetically strong (on average).
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This is about the only thing you posted that I disagree with ;)

IMO and IME 10g per fish is not near enough and most sites I've been to say 20-30g per fish.

Goldfish aren't any more work than tropicals if they are in a larger tank. Regular 50% water changes work fine. In a 10g per fish tank, yah, I could see it being a lot of work.

Just my 2 cents :D

Roan
 
You're probably right about them needing 15-30g eventually, but 10g per fish is a good start. I had 6 medium goldfish in a 60g tank and kept nitrates below 20 with weekly 60% water changes. If I kept the fish until they grew into monsters (8-10 inches) I would only have been able to keep 2-3 fish in there without chaos.

They are a bit more work when they have problems (ie swimbladder, constipation, etc.), but yeah, they're not terrible in a big tank. I do find it easier to feed and care for tropicals, however. That might just be my experience, though.
 
I agree with that, I'm thinking 1 for every 10 is a bit much myself.... I know, I have 1 for the very least every 15 of my tank but I'm also thinking this is pushing it as I watch it myself. With this thought, I will be starting up the 55 gallon (yes, I am getting my tank back, yaaay me) again and in there, the telescopes would go. Which brings me to another point. Roan, you left out the telescope goldfish, which are different than the bubble-eyes. The telescopes eyes bulge out of there head where as the bubble eyes have "bubble-like" sacs around their eyes.
 
Dangerdoll said:
I agree with that, I'm thinking 1 for every 10 is a bit much myself.... I know, I have 1 for the very least every 15 of my tank but I'm also thinking this is pushing it as I watch it myself. With this thought, I will be starting up the 55 gallon (yes, I am getting my tank back, yaaay me) again and in there, the telescopes would go. Which brings me to another point. Roan, you left out the telescope goldfish, which are different than the bubble-eyes. The telescopes eyes bulge out of there head where as the bubble eyes have "bubble-like" sacs around their eyes.
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Blargh, yes, forgot the telescopes. Are they Fancy or Verys? Dorsal fin? I can't remember, but I think they are Fancies.

As with you, DD, I had two for a 30g and even when they are 3" 50% a week is pushing it. I mean ONE little burp and all hell can break loose. Example: an apple snail died in the tank. It was there for about a day before I realized it wasn't just doing what apple snails do. I removed it, and it didn't even smell yet. It *was* definitely dead, though.

Anyhow, the ammonia shot through the ROOF as did the nitrites. I was doing 60% water changes every 12 hours for four days to get it under control and both goldies still ended up with ammonia burns. They recovered 100% from that with lots of fresh water.

In the "right sized" tank this wouldn't have escalated so quickly. There's no fudge factor when pushing the limit.

Now that one of them has passed on from chronic swim bladder, I doubt I will replace it. One goldie for 30g is great.

BTW, DD, he is MUCH more lively with the harder water. I don't think he even sleeps anymore. Great appetite and absolutely no swim bladder problems. I eneded up trying 3 tsp cichlid salts per the 30 and it works great. I also added extra calcium. I'll get the numbers and post them on AquaFacts.

Roan
 
drgold said:
. . .I do find it easier to feed and care for tropicals, however. That might just be my experience, though.
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I couldn't agree more with you.

My son (he's almost 5) is the one who wanted the goldfish. It's his and he loves Zero a lot. He was very sad when Hundred passed on from chronic swim bladder. I've told him that we are not replacing Hundred. When I explained to him that for two goldies he really needs a bigger tank and that his floor has the limit of weight that we feel his room can hold (he also has a 65g on the other wall -- it's the retaining wall) and that Zero would be healthier in that tank by himself, he agreed.

Roan
 
Ok, next question. I have heard a lot of bad things about FW snails and making stuff (water) go crazy from them so I really don't know if I want to fool around with them. If I put 3 Fancy Goldfish in the tank could I add an algae eater? The goldfish that I was talking about with the funny looking eyes is the telescope goldfish and they are in the tank with the goldfish that look like they have a brain sitting on top of their head. I don't remember a dorsal fin on either one of them. So if they both don't have a dorsal fin on them then that means they can go together...right? I just love to look at them and they are my favorite out of all the FW fish my LFS sells. I always looked at them when I was doing SW. If I keep my Fluval on them and maybe add a HOB filter and 1 powerhead (and point it toward the surface) would that work? I am planning on decorating it with an old car (my husband wants this) that looks like it is in the bottom of a pond, some fake plants and colorful gravel. Is this sufficiant enough for them or do they need caves etc...to hide in?
 
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