Can I?

[Nina7777]

Hi Everyone- Well I was at my lfs this weekend and they had a healthy looking bunch of fantail goldfish. They were adorable. and i quickly became quit attracted to them.

My question is though, would it be possible to keep two of them in a 10 gallon tank with nothing else? I've heard mixed suggestions of 5 gallons per fish to 10 gallons per fish. I have a topfin60 in the tank (which is quit a bit more filtration than is needed) and also it would be very well oxengenated.

If not two, then would it be better to get just one? I just wanted two so they could have a friend.

if this is not possible please let me know. I was planning on getting them this weekend.

OH Yeah! my tank is cycled I did fishless.....

 

[ryan]

Sorry but I would say no. IMO Goldfish, which can reach large sizes of at least 8" when well cared for should have a minimum tank isze of at least 30 gallons from which you can then allow 10 gallons per fish. This would give them reasonable space for swimming.

 

[Nina7777]

I thought i might get a no. I just felt bad though, since while I was there 3 of them were sold to a person along with 3 fishbowls.

 

[ryan]

I thought i might get a no. I just felt bad though, since while I was there 3 of them were sold to a person along with 3 fishbowls.

Oh dear, poor fish.

 

[Nina7777]

Is there any other cold water sspecies that I can keep in a 10 gallon?

 

[Paul_MTS]

I think the tank would manage a small shoal of minnows. They can be pretty impressive.

I'm not exactly sure though, I'm sure ryan will bring us up to speed

 

[kaz petts]

I have heard that minnows are ok in coldwater.
I have to admit though that fantail goldies are lovely fish.
I would say go with your first instinct and get 1 fantail goldie and eventually work up to a larger tank and then get another one.
I learn't my lesson the hard way.
Good luck
Kaz

 

[ryan]

Minnows would be good or maybe a pair of hillstream loaches, both require fast, cool well oxygenated water. There is now a golden minnow available on the market so you may want to try them.

 

[BronzeWolf]

Hi

You could get a shoal (6) of zebra or leopard danios OR / AND a shoal of white cloud minnows or golden ones, both these fish only grow up to about an inch and a half long

Hillstream loach or a weather loach. or a stone sucker

Paradise fish although you would not be able to mix them with other fish (like a goldfish) bcs they are territorial and aggressive. I'm not sure whether you could even mix them with loaches or even minnows / danios (correct me guys here)


BronzeWolf

 

[ryan]

Hi

You could get a shoal (6) of zebra or leopard danios OR / AND a shoal of white cloud minnows or golden ones, both these fish only grow up to about an inch and a half long

Hillstream loach or a weather loach. or a stone sucker

Paradise fish although you would not be able to mix them with other fish (like a goldfish) bcs they are territorial and aggressive. I'm not sure whether you could even mix them with loaches or even minnows / danios (correct me guys here)



BronzeWolf

I wouldn't advise a Weather Loach for a 10g tank, they can grow to a resonable size of at least 6" so such a small enviroment isn't really suitable.

 

[Nina7777]

Hi All- My boyfriend surprised me and bought be a 20 gallon for our anniversary. So I am going to get the two goldfish. Right now they are babies so I will upgrade when the time comes.

 

[bribones]

rule of thumb for coldwater fish is 1 gallon of water per 1" of fish so in theory you could keep 2x 5" fish in a 10 gallon tank ,in my view they may outgrow the tank although unlikely as fish produce a chemical which inhibits the growth of other fish BUT this can cause deformaties ie kinked or bent fish ,tanks are idealy suited to small breeds ,bitterlings are ideal and look great

 

[ryan]

rule of thumb for coldwater fish is 1 gallon of water per 1" of fish so in theory you could keep 2x 5" fish in a 10 gallon tank ,in my view they may outgrow the tank although unlikely as fish produce a chemical which inhibits the growth of other fish BUT this can cause deformaties ie kinked or bent fish ,tanks are idealy suited to small breeds ,bitterlings are ideal and look great

Bitterlings now need a license in the UK, however, I am not sure about USA but I can imagine they would be hard to find. I wouldn't advise Bitterling for a 10gallon either, they reach a resonable size and a breeding pair IMO would require more room as well as Bitterling species which breed in Swan mussels.

The 1" per 1 gallon rule isn't a rule to follow IMO. You couldn't have a 10" in a 10 gallon for example. You must consider the fishes eventual size, waste productions and character. For instance a Bala Shark that reaches 12" would need a minimum tank of at least 100 gallons and probably more because of their activity level, on the other hand an Peacock Eel who is much less active and space demanding can be kept in a much smaller tank. It really comes down to common sense and experience.