Opinion needed for fish load

S

Sponge Bob

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Dec 8, 2004
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Hi all !

I would like your opinion on my gold fish load in my tank. First, here are the parameters needed :

Tank size : 25 gal ( 31 x 12 x 15 height )
Filters : 200 Aqua-Clear + 301 Power Head + Large Canister + air injector
Heater : Visi-Therm 200W
Gravel bed and plants

Chemical Analysis : Fully Cycled, pH 7.6, 73°F

Fish in tank :

1 inch Goldie
1½ inch Red Cap
1½ inch Goldie
2½ inch Colita Pearl Scale
3 inch Orange and Black
3 inch Black Moor

All fish measurements include tail fin.

My question : Is my fish tank overstocked ? If so, how badly ?

Thanks in advance !

Sponge Bob :)
 
Wow, very full tank there. IMO, I would remove ALL but one of them, some may say you can keep two or three in a 25 but one is my personal preference. The fish are quite small now, but they will grow quite large, then if you add in life span, some will live longer than 15 years with little troubles if cared for properly.

The inch per gallon rule is basically myth. I mean, would you stick a 10 inch oscar in a ten gallon tank? They could live in it, for some time, but they won't be healthy. As their body attempts to grown their internal organs are damaged due to water quality and other issues and their growth stunted. Not healthy.

Goldies create a pretty heavy bio load. At that stocking level you are going to have big problems keeping your water quality where it's needed for healthy fish before too long no matter how much you over filter the tank.

Hope it all works out for you and your finned friends!
 
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Thanks for your reply Heat. I know that it's a pretty big bioload. I definately agree with you about the 1 inch per gallon when it comes to goldies. It's rediculous.

There is another rule tho that goes like this :

(Height of tank X Length of tank) / 30 = Inches of fish

With this formula and the tank that I have, it comes down to 15.5 inches of fish. The current load is under that figure by about 3 inches. No worries, I'm certainly not about to add another 3 inch fish in there ! DUH !

From your response, I gather that you go with the 20 gal per goldie rule. I know it's a common rule. So is the 10 gal / fish one. One thing that I disagree with you, and I will not back off on this one, is that one goldie in ANY tank is not good. Goldies are social fish and require company. So at least 2.

It evident that I will have to upgrade to a larger tank. For now, it's finacially impossible and I am too attached to those fish to let them go. I guess I will speed up on the savings and get those guys a proper home ASAP.

Thx for the advice and happy fishy times !

Sponge Bob :)
 
I'd go with just three fish of that type maximum, with a fairly large wet/dry filter and plenty of water turnover. I have an overloaded 50g at the moment due to having to shift fish from another tank (supposedly temporarily while looking for a new 4ft deep)... You will end up with losses eventually... Too many is always trouble in the long run... :(
 
The inches of surface, like the inch per gallon rule, applies only to small, slender bodied, fish of max about two inches. Do you realy thing that a 6-8" goldfish is the same biolaod as 3-4 tetras? That rule is equally absurd.

30 gallons per fish is likely not enough for most full-grown fancies, but it is a place to start.
 
I hear you and I know that the change will have to be made soon. But so far, I've managed to keep my water in perfect conditions. I take great care of my tank and tend to it on a regular basis... if not too much !
 
russjet said:
how good is your filter to deal with all that goldfishpoop :eek:
Click to expand...

The filter gets some of it, some fish eat some of it and the rest is vaccuumed. Nothing is perfect in this world and no filter will get all the poop a bunch a goldies can generate !

SB
 
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