Fancy Goldfish housing question

I can only report my own experiences, which is in tanks and ponds over 30 gallons, one goldfish per ten gallons is just fine, especially if you overfilter, at least given the low nitrates and mortality rate of zero I currently have. The more space the better, of course.

Everything I have read suggests goldfish do like being with their kind, and mine school and interact with each other and show no aggression. I can't read fish minds but I find a solo goldfish a sad site. Maybe I anthromaporsize, but I always assume social fish are happier with company.
 
it seems like we have the same problem every week. somebody rightly asks about keeping goldfish, he/she then gets a different answer from everyone that replies.

some easy facts -
commons and comets even the feeder types will grow to 12inches plus if given the room and good water. They are pond fish more the tank, because of their size and because they are so active.

fancies can be pond fish also, but they perfer a more stable temperature to help with digestion, this does not mean they are tropical. 60-70F is fine.
A good way to see your tank is not going to be big enough is place two melons in the tank, thats about as big as they can get.

if you think your've kept goldfish successfully did they live over 10 years? i've now had my commons for around 5 years the biggest is nearly 10inches and they don't look like they are stopping yet.

this is a picture of Bruce the worlds biggest fancy, it's only 2 years old when the picture was taken, this proves that they grow large and quickly.

fancy goldfish need at lot of room, i would say the smallest tank for 2 would be a 55gallon and this is not really enough. At least 30gallon each for fancys 50g for commons then 200gallons each for koi, this then gives them the room to grow and keep the water stable.
 
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I just want to weigh in with the others regarding the Fancies need for room. These are incredibly long lived fish who rarely receive the luxury of experiencing that long life.

I keep three Ranchu in a 90g tank and feel that more would be crowding. Even at this level they require very frequent attention to water changes in order to keep them in optimum conditions.
Optimum conditions is what we want for our animals- right?
 
I should probably just keep my mouth shut, but IMHO and IME, 3 goldfish in a 30 is life in a cesspool, even with my routine large scale water changes, and will result in 3 stunted goldfish. Your tanks, your fish, do what you think is best, but I consider that poor aquarium practice.
 
I agree with RTR, and would also like to add that just because it works for one person for a given time doesn't mean you should go recommending it to others. I can't see following the 10 gallons per goldfish rule either - it just seems way crowded. It isn't always about the filtration; it also comes down to physical space you know.
 
I rest my case. lol. ;) You guys obviously love your goldfish and take great care of them. :p

But telling people they need huge amounts of space, like you have, for each fancy goldfish is untrue. If a responsible fishkeeper like the original poster has a good filter and a good water change schedule, two fancy goldfish will live a long and happy life in a 30 gallon tank. I know of no information which says they can't. Would they be happier in a 100 gallon--probably! And healthier with the same water change regimine. But not everyone has the space or budget for 30 gallons per goldfish.

Anyway, I'll leave you all alone now. :bowing:
 
Cory, RTR, Peekaboo you are right in everything that you say but there are those of us who only have small tanks 10-55 gallon I have a 55. Most of us in here most likely fall into that category. Some of us do not have the luxury of having a pond or a 150 gallon tank (I would love a pound, or even a 150 gallon tank). Would I like to give my fish 30 gallons of water each yes but that only means that I can have 1 fish maybe two. I have learned to enjoy doing water changes and dealing with bumps in road in my keeping of goldfish. Anything in life is you get what you pay for it. If all kveeti wants is novice requirements to keeping goldfish, you should let him/her walk before they run. We all do not start off with fish from goldfish connection or koi that cost $500. ;)
 
avoxo - there are plenty of fish that will do very well in 30 gallon tanks, or even 5 and 10 gallon tanks. The fish choice is personal, agreed, but sometimes reality and the requirements of the fish to be kept should be seriously considered, or the individual is not a hobbyist. Saying that a beginner can start by keeping a fish badly and improperly is not a hobby, it is abuse. Yes dogs can live for extended period chained in the yard with no shelter. That does not that right or acceptable for a beginner, or for anyone.

Reality checks are required. These boards exist to help teach folks, saying that it is okay to do it wrong because of lack of knowledge is not why we are here.
 
Indeed. I see lots of rationalization in this thread. The specie of fish you keep is your choice and the example given by RTR was great. We are not here to 'ho-hum' by all the facts and pretend it will work out. While I sympathize with people who cannot afford a larger tank, it still doesn't mean that it is OK to stunt a fish because "that’s the best you can do". Does that make sense to anyone?
 
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