Fancy Goldfish housing question

kveeti

kveeti

Easily amused
Jun 12, 2002
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Winnipeg, MB
Ok, I have done some research but I'd like opinions from AC members.

I've never had goldfish. I am in the process of saving money for a bigger tank to combine my 28 & 10 gallons (still a long way off, though I do enough money saved to buy a new canister filter). The original idea was to retire these 2 tanks but I know I won't be able to do that.

I would like to put 2 fancy goldfish in my 28 gallon (36x12x15). But I'm wondering if I have enough room for 2. Or even 1. The fancy goldfish I looked at (they look like calico cats) grow to 8 inches. My understanding is no fish should be more than 1/2 the length of the shortest dimension in the tank. Would he be ok in my tank? Do goldfish get lonely? Can I fit 2?

My "retired" filter will be an AC200, I'm thinking this would be inadequate for a goldfish? Would and AC200 + an ACmini (retired from the 10) combined be all right?

Thanks.
 
Hi kveeti, fancy goldfish should have a minimum 10 gallons per fish when they are small. When they become large, 3 inches and up they need triple to quadruple that amount. Does a calico cat look a common goldfish or a fancy? Commons or comets require a little less water but not much. Fancy goldfish are very needy and require a lot of TLC. I wish you luck.
 
Thanks, avoxo.

He was in a tank labelled "fancy goldfish", I just liked his colouring. Looking at pics online he looks like a calico oranda or calico ryukin. Anyhow, I guess I only will have room for 1 fish then, but I'm still wondering about his 8" size vs. the 12 inch width on my tank. And if he'll be lonely by himself.

I wanted something different. I do not want to set up a new larger tank and then have a carbon copy smaller tank.
 
Is the fish 8 inches now? If you are looking at a LFS stock most of the times those will be runts. Don't get me wrong some of the fish will grow but to 8 inches, I doubt it. The more filtration that you have the better, fancy goldfish produce a lot of waste.
 
avoxo said:
Fancy goldfish should have a minimum 10 gallons per fish when they are small. When they become large, 3 inches and up they need triple to quadruple that amount. Commons or comets require a little less water but not much.
Click to expand...

Why would commons/comets need less water or space? They are the ones that reach 12-16 inches and need ample swimming room, as they like to "jolt" around. Many recommend 50-100 gallons to start off with just 1-2 commons.

Fancies can (and do) reach 8 inches. I haven't had a fancy that stayed under 7 inches, so if that helps you or gives you any idea...

I also recommend against getting your goldfish at chain stores or stores you do not trust. They will often have runts for goldfish. Ordering from a good (reputable) breeder online, or finding a good LFS might be best.
 
Why would commons/comets need less water or space? They are the ones that reach 12-16 inches and need ample swimming room, as they like to "jolt" around. Many recommend 50-100 gallons to start off with just 1-2 commons.
Click to expand...

Sorry for the late response but a fancy that is 3 inches has more body mass than a common or commet of the same size. Where have you seen a commons/comets bought at a pet store get to 12-16 inches????
 
When I put them in my pond at a prior house.

I never use small tanks for goldfish, they are too easily stunted and too heavy a waste producer. I start with a minimum 30 gallons per fish, for quality "fancy" types, more to significantly more.
 
In my opinion, 2 fancy goldfish in a 28 gallon is just fine and that some members of this forum are a bit extreme when it comes to how many gallons of water a fancy goldfish needs, maybe in response to the old goldfish bowl. Two would be happier than 1 in that tank, that is for sure. Goldfish like company. Keep it well filtered and you will be fine.

And I agree about buying quality goldfish from a good lfs.
 
avoxo- Those of us who have kept/keep goldfish long enough to see them get 12+ inches will tell you that you have a better chance of accomplishing this by not buying your fish at stores like Wal-Mart or Petsmart. I buy all my goldfish from respectable stores (and recently online stores) that specialize in goldfish and koi. None of my goldfish are bought from small cramped tanks that are labeled as "feeders" if that is what you wondered. It is like going to a Waffle House and expecting a WONDERFUL steak... you just don't do it! :o

Peekaboo- At the risk of sounding uptight, your comment about how we Goldfish enthusiasts react to the fish space issue and saying it might be a preconditioned notion based from the "old fishbowl scare" is borderline offensive. Do the research, look at various results, do your own tests/experiments, and get back to us.

We do not come up with these recommended gallon-requirements off of the top of our heads, at least I do not. Also, contrary to what you suggested, goldfish do not get lonely and depressed if they are alone in an aquarium. I have kept one by their self; in fact I have one in a 20 gallon as we speak because I am in the process of fixing up a spare 40 gallon, which will hold 2 fancies. And by the way, I am sure you were not trying to upset those who seriously keep these fish, but I'm telling you how it came out and how I perceived what you said. No harsh feelings on this end... ;)
 
Thank you all for your views and replies. It's still going to be a while, but I just made a nice tea card sale so now I also have enough for about 1/4 of my new stand... little by little. I think I'll go with one fancy goldfish in my old tank. Instead of chucking handfuls of my salvinia natans every water change, I can give it to the goldfish to nibble on. I'll buy the fish from my favourite LFS, I have NEVER had a fish from him get sick or die (except from old age).
 
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