Fancy Godfish

[Roan Art]

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

Telescopes do have a dorsal, as do the ones with "brains on their heads" (I love your choice of words, btw. Heh). Make sure it's brains on the heads and not brains all over the head:
Oranda

Lionhead

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?

I would add *either* the HOB or the powerhead or use a very small powerhead. Nothing strong. You just want to move the water around.

I think the decor sounds cool. I love my natural-looking planted tanks, but I think with goldfish tanks you can go wild and nuts

Roan

 

[kmgriff72]

My bad, it is the one on the top...LOL. If I go with the HOB filter (since you said I probably need 2 because of the mess) then do I need to get a bubble maker or air stones for oxygen. My Fluval is rated for my tank, that with weekly water changes and a powerhead or air stone and I still need another filter (if I don't go with a powerhead)? I didn't realize how messy they were. It makes you wonder how the fish store can keep so many of them in one tank and still have crystal clear water??????

 

[dorkfish]

Airstones aren't needed, those are for decor and/or the really overstocked tanks(2 12" arowannas in a 55g, for example). Snails are fine in FW, as long as your not overfeeding/overstocking.

 

[Roan Art]

My bad, it is the one on the top...LOL. If I go with the HOB filter (since you said I probably need 2 because of the mess) then do I need to get a bubble maker or air stones for oxygen.

Not just two because of the mess. On most tanks over 30g it's wise to have either two filters or a filter and a powerhead. You need to keep the water moving and ensure that the temperature is well distributed all over the tank. Dead areas aren't good to have.

My Fluval is rated for my tank, that with weekly water changes and a powerhead or air stone and I still need another filter (if I don't go with a powerhead)?

The Fluval and a powerhead is fine. I would add an airstone as well. You need to make sure the surface is well agitated. I'm not sure where you live, but IMO it's especially important to have a good gas exchange if you live in warmer parts -- in case the temperature in the tank gets a little high.

I didn't realize how messy they were. It makes you wonder how the fish store can keep so many of them in one tank and still have crystal clear water??????

LFS have system-wide filterage. Their water is exchanged all over, all the time, so the fish are always getting fresh water. That's how they are able to pack their tanks so tightly with stock.

An LFS nearby has a 90g tank on display. It has four or five Fancys in it, no gravel, two filters and those fish are HUGE and gorgeous. The tank is totally pristine ALL the time. They are all at least 8" in size and they won't sell them

Roan

 

[kmgriff72]

Thanks for the advice. I think I will go with the Fluval 404, a powerhead, and an air stone. I will do weekly water changes also. I will probably get 3-4 fancy goldfish but if I get this many can I still get and algae eater fish or do I need to drop one goldfish to get one. I have a 75 gallon tank.

 

[dorkfish]

Almost all algae eaters commonly available are tropical fish(need temp 72F+).
BUT, goldfish are great algae eaters/scavengers IME(this was a LONG time ago when I had a 29g with 6 golds). I personally would only get 3 golds for that tank, but 4 will be OK, but pushing it.

 

[Roan Art]

I wouldn't go with an algae eater fish at all, even if there were one that would work in room temp tank. They won't eat fish feces

IMO a pleco and a goldfish will compete for food. Any food you put in there the goldfish will grab first. If the pleco does not get enough food, he will attach himself to the fish and suck its slime coat. Its what they will do to survive when they are hungry. This will kill the goldfish, of course.

Snails would, IMO, but the best option if you feel you just had to have one. A large mystery would work pretty good. Just keep an eye on it. If it dies, your tank will be polluted in no time.

IMO 4 goldies would be fine in a 75g. That's almost 20g per fish. With good filteration, weekly water changes and the tank bottom kept clean, close enough.

Roan

 

[kmgriff72]

Ok, I know I need to read up more on them before buying them but what temp are you suppose to keep it for them? If they will eat and scavenge for things then I will not worry about an algae eater or snails....

 

[dorkfish]

room temp; golds are coldwater fish.

 

[kmgriff72]

So does that mean that you don't use a heater to keep it at room temp (like in Winter)? I also heard that they are not coldwater fish, I guess that is not true.