So I went a little nuts...now I need advice

PuppyFluffer

PuppyFluffer

AC Members
Jan 9, 2008
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east coast USA
I'm pretty new to fish keeping. I have a 10 gallon tank with some little rasboras, some cute nerite snails, a few cories, a lot of cherry shrimp and lots of live plants. I've had this set up for less than a year.

Well, multiple tank syndrome has set in and to make a long story short, I am now the owner of a 180 gallon tank.

I have no idea how what to put in it but I am thinking goldfish. It is drilled in both bottom left corners for a sump and I will have to learn how to set that up. (A question for the DIY forum I suppose, though I'll take some general advice here if offered.)

Our basement is basically unfinished. It's part workshop, part dog grooming space, part laundry and mostly totally storage clutter mess. I am going to have to do some excavating to make room to put this tank downstairs. We have visions of finishing the space but I would like to set up the tank before that. Actually, I think setting up the tank will be a motivating force to finish the space! I would want to actually be able to spend time down there enjoying them!

I am considering goldfish. I like the fantail and veiltail varieties from what I can see from internet pictures. The comets in Flairingshutter's signature link are most attractive too! How many would be ideal for a 180?

Can you have live plants with goldfish?

What about any other inhabitants? I am quite fond of nerite snails!

I am thinking that goldfish would be able to survive well being moved if necessary during a renovation. If I did it during the summer/fall, they could go outside in a livestock trough temporarily. And if I had a power outage, they would be ok as the basement is cool enough in summer and we have a wood burning stove so they wouldn't get too cold in winter.

What is the average lifespan of a well cared for fancy goldfish?

Are their hobby breeders in the Washington DC area? I assume it's better to get fish from a local hobbyest than the big box pet store.

Setting this tank up is off in the future, I'm just mulling ideas and searching for info. (oh, and I got it from a yard sale for $180. It's brand new, never been used with a homemade stand)
 
Hello again PuffyFluffer! I'm glad to hear you're getting into goldfish now :D

For a 180 you could happily house 8-10 adult comets, or 12-14 fancies. That's at adult sizes, of course. A good estimate for well cared for goldfish is easily 10-15 years, but could be up to 30. It varies widely depending on care, food, tank, etc. With a large sump, keeping more fish is much easier.

Goldfish are extremely good movers - they're so hardy that they don't mind at all. The only concern is that at their adult sizes, commons and comets can be unwieldy and you'll need a few people to move them. Fancies are easier to move and seem to be more net- and hand-friendly. If you get them used to your hands in the tank and especially if you train them to take food from your hands, you'll have an easier time moving any type of goldfish.

Live plants are iffy with goldfish - I've had good luck with jungle vals and java fern. Others recommend elodea too. Pretty much everything else gets eaten. Any plant you use should be able to survive some rough handling and shouldn't need to stay firmly planted in soil. Goldies are notorious diggers and sifters, so they'll probably uproot any plant that isn't nailed down.

I've kept all kinds of snails with my goldfish, and they have never bothered any of them. I don't feed worms and never have, and my goldfish have never nipped at snail tentacles. I can't say that the two things are related, but they could be. No opportunity to think of long wiggly things as food? I don't know, but it's an idea. Anyway, goldfish and snails seem to get along famously. Shrimp would likely get eaten, but I think dwarf crays would be okay with larger goldfish like comets. I wouldn't try them with fancies.

There are breeders all over the country, and also good online sellers as well. I always recommend raingarden.us, I have ordered fish from them before and they are extremely helpful, with beautiful, healthy, quality fish of many types. I have heard great things about fish from goldfishconnection.com, too. You can go to the American Goldfish Association website - americangoldfish.org - and look in their "Goldfish People" section for breeders in your area.

Be sure to take a good look at that homemade stand. After you account for gravel, decoration, etc, that 180 gallon tank could weigh 1800-1900 lbs, and a homemade stand should be extremely sturdy to support that much. Be sure the future tank location is rated for that much weight, too.
 
Try and find a mom and pop fish store and if they dont have ask if they can get you want you want my local lady does this for me thru her shop and I always get perfect looking healthy goldfish. She wont accept anything less so I'm lucky to do business with her. I have done the mail order fish and didnt like it I just prefer local so if there is a problem I can handle it the same day. Unless your going to do a bare aquarium I would avoid the bubble eye goldfish the fluid sac's under the eye are very delicate and will rupture. I have 1 tank that is bare for my 4 bubble eye's. I tend to allow 15 gallons of water per goldfish some say more some say less but I feel 15 works great for me and the fish seem to grow and do fine.
 
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Thanks for the input. What is steering me towards goldfish is that I will have to break down this tank to finish the basement. Finishing it now is not possible. I am not willing to assume any more debt to do it now and won't undertake it until I pay off the kitchen renovation we recently did. I will have to have a fish that will tolerate a move to a temporary situation for a while.

It's either that or not set it up until the basement is finished (which could be years honestly.)
 
I think goldfish would be an excellent choice. They are hardy, entertaining, and beautiful. Your kids will love them too. I can't wait to see waht you do with this! I have some trapdoor snails I could share with you too. They are algae eaters and do well in cooler temps. My only concern with nerites with them is that they are tropical. The bridgesii or trapdoors can tolerate cooler temps better although the nerites may be fine as well. Good luck and can't wait to see the pics!
 
Hi there. There's a store on Capital Hill, Chateaux Animaux, and although I have never taken them up on the offer, they have told me in the past they would special order. Additionally, there's an auction/show coming up soon (just google pvas (Potomac Valley Aquarist society).
 
ebola, thanks for the info! I'll check them out.

The homemade stand is made with pressure treated 4x4 and 2x4. I'll have my husband go over it and we may reinforce it or remake it all together. It will go in the basement which is a concrete slab. It should take that amount of weight.

There are no worries about me ever having bubble eye goldfish! While I appreciate the beauty in the diversity of all the natural world, I think they are truly hideous! Sorry to offend anyone who loves them but they look totally freaky to me. My husband also can't stand looking at those "goldfish that have their brains on the outside of their heads". I am thinking some sort of fantails would be nice.

I don't have the tank at my house yet. It's still in the lady's garage. We'll move it soon.

Thanks for the info on snails and potential temperature mismatch. That makes sense. I just love my little nerites so much! I can't imagine a tank without them. They are so cute and effective! I am guessing there are other cute snails that would work.

In general, what is an ideal temp for goldfish?
 
Upper 60's to low 70's work great for goldies; in most homes they won't need a heater. You might also consider some smaller schoolers to go with the goldfish (not too small, as goldfish will eat fish they can fit in their mouths). White cloud mountain minnows, rosy reds, and most North American minnows thrive in the same conditions as goldies.
 
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