What size tank?

Beeker

Aquariaholic
Oct 8, 2004
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I have 9 Comets, some big some small. They are in a 75 gallon tank but I know I need to go larger. What size tank should I get? I heard 20 gallons for the first fish and 10 for every fish after that. Is this true, will 100 gallons be enough?
 
You might want to try this in the coldwater section, I asked how many/kind I could keep and what size tank and got some good replies. But I'm sure you'll get some here too!! and since I'm replying, I don't think that would be big enough, the comets are one of the larger growing goldfish aren't they?
 
Yes. Somebody told me 3 gallons per inch and 3 or 4 of my fish are about a foot long. They are about middle-aged, at what age do they stop growing?
I've heard so many ways to judge what size tank to get I don't know what to go by.
Please help.
 
Beeker said:
Yes. Somebody told me 3 gallons per inch and 3 or 4 of my fish are about a foot long. They are about middle-aged, at what age do they stop growing?
I've heard so many ways to judge what size tank to get I don't know what to go by.
Please help.


Don't use any of those gallon per inch rules, they simply don't work. What's most important when deciding tank size, is measurements relative to the adult size of the fish you want, if you plan on keeping them through adulthood.

For example, someone could recommend a 90g tank for 2 commets, but if it's a narrow tank, that's not the best conditions for a goldfish.

So since comets can grow over 12", I would say that for 9 comets you want a pond. But if it has to be a tank, make sure that it is at least 2-3' wide, 7-8' long, and 2-3' tall. The aquarium will be well anywhere from 200g's and up.


HTH,
Serg
 
I agree, a pond would be the best bet. To answer your other question, there is no age that they stop growing. Fish grow their entire lives, unless they have been stunted. If you decide to keep them in a tank, it is going to have to be huge. Many people will probably disagree with me when I say this, but I think adult comets should have at least 80 - 100 gallons per fish. They get over a foot long, produce a huge amount of waste, and like to swim.
 
Maybe you could put up an ad and try to find someone with a pond?? Fish that big are probably not cheap to buy and maybe someone would like to have them!! Or if you see a pond somewhere, drop a note in their mailbox!!
 
That sounds like a great idea but I'm afraid that they will get killed by a wild animal. They come to me when I walk over to the tank and they follow me when I walk by. I wouldn't want them to see something walk over to the water and them swim to their certain death. And, I know that they can survive cold water but what about winter, when the water freezes? What do they do for food? I know I sound like a paranoid mother but these are my very first fish. I am very attached to them and if I had the space and money I would keep them with me, at home, in 2000 gallon indoor pond. I'm such a sucker. I know. They have me wrapped around their little fins.
 
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My Boyfriend has a Pond at his paren'ts house that is 4 feet deep, not sure how wide. Anyways they keep comets in there and they all survive through winter just fine. The problem is half of them every year get eaten by a Heron that comes everyspring but they do breed every year so they aren't really losing fish either. There are ways to detour wild animals like a fake heron and some types of scents that make raccons and possums less appealed to that area.

You could also IF you have space set up an indoor pond in your house. We had one that a teacher set up in my highschool. It was very nice with lily pads and such, makes GREAT decoration.

Good luck! :o
 
yeah, the indoor pond might be a thought :dive: . I think they call them stock tanks (?) and you can get big ones for pretty cheap because they're like big rubbermaid containers (I think...)
 
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