Gallons Per Goldfish

[augustaranger]

I've read that common goldfish need 8 to 10 gallons per fish. Even read a posting that said they need 20 gallons for the first goldfish and 10 gallons per fish thereafter. Do 2 fairly small fish really need 30 gallons? With an air stone and good filtration, what can the formula be? Thanks!

 

[chilledtim]

Thats based on the fact that goldies do get large and make alot of waste, 20 gal for the 1st then 10 for everyone after will provide a good aquarium for goldfish to grow happy and healthy and live in even when there larger.
They produce alot alot ALOT of mess aswell that can pollute a smaller tank quicker.

Goldfish are active and like space to swim aswell so a 3ft 30 gall tank looks just bout right for 2-3 goldies

So yes they do need that much water. with massive filtration you can keep more per Gallon bit the 1 per 10 gallon rule is good.

sounds abit harsh to be honest and 12 months ago i wouldnt have belived what ive just written and put acouple of small goldfish in a 10 gallon but now i no!

 

[OohFeeshy]

I've read that common goldfish need 8 to 10 gallons per fish. Even read a posting that said they need 20 gallons for the first goldfish and 10 gallons per fish thereafter. Do 2 fairly small fish really need 30 gallons? With an air stone and good filtration, what can the formula be? Thanks!

Common goldfish should have a 4'x2'x2' minimum (when adult), larger if you're keeping more than two or so. Fancies are the ones whom the 10/20g normally applies to.

 

[aquila]

I stocked my fancy goldfish tank according to the 20 gal for the first, 10 gal for the extras rule - and I'm about to buy a 125 gal tank to house them all more comfortably. That's 30 gal per fish and they could do with more! They produce vast amounts of waste and grow far far bigger than you think.

I have a crazy amount of filtration (10x water turnover an hour) and still have to do 50% water changes 2-3 times a week.

 

[augustaranger]

More specifically, would a small goldfish and a few minnows do OK in a 20 gal. tank with the air stone and good filtration?

 

[OohFeeshy]

More specifically, would a small goldfish and a few minnows do OK in a 20 gal. tank with the air stone and good filtration?

Possibly one of the smaller fancies like celestial, although I'm not sure whether they prefer company of their own kind.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

More specifically, would a small goldfish and a few minnows do OK in a 20 gal. tank with the air stone and good filtration?

Possibly one of the smaller fancies like celestial, although I'm not sure whether they prefer company of their own kind.

Depends what the type of goldfish the small goldfish is. Slim type goldfish like comets and commons can grow to over 10-12inches long, most fancy goldfish only grow to 6-8inches long though. All goldfish prefer to have company of their own kind, but you shouldn't mix slim type goldfish with fancy goldfish as fancy goldfish are quite vunerable to bullying from slim type goldfish which take advantage of their lack of defense and slow swimming abilities.

 

[ITHURTZ]

I stocked my fancy goldfish tank according to the 20 gal for the first, 10 gal for the extras rule - and I'm about to buy a 125 gal tank to house them all more comfortably. That's 30 gal per fish and they could do with more! They produce vast amounts of waste and grow far far bigger than you think.

I have a crazy amount of filtration (10x water turnover an hour) and still have to do 50% water changes 2-3 times a week.

Isnt that a little over board? I have about little over 20" of goldfish, 5" plec, and about 14" of tin foils and I dont do water changes like that. Anywhere from 2-4times a month Ill do a gravel vac which I end up doing 40-50% water changes. 2-3 times a week ouch, My tanks still good from doing its change 1 week ago

 

[GoldfishAttentionSpan]

Do 2 fairly small fish really need 30 gallons?

I think the problem is that you are thinking about these fish as thier current size. At thier current size they probably don't need such a large tank, but little goldfish get BIG, and when fully-grown, yes, they do need large tanks. It is best to go ahead and get the size tank they will need as adults, or else you risk stunting them and other problems.

 

[iasg]

never ending story as it may seem...


I have two 20g tanks with 2 fancy goldfish (ryukins) each... I'd love to consolidate all 4 into one tank but to which size? 55g? 75 g even? or would a 40g do???

 

[ITHURTZ]

I myself would put them in a 55, go bigger if thats what you choose.

 

[aquila]

I stocked my fancy goldfish tank according to the 20 gal for the first, 10 gal for the extras rule - and I'm about to buy a 125 gal tank to house them all more comfortably. That's 30 gal per fish and they could do with more! They produce vast amounts of waste and grow far far bigger than you think.

I have a crazy amount of filtration (10x water turnover an hour) and still have to do 50% water changes 2-3 times a week.

Isnt that a little over board? I have about little over 20" of goldfish, 5" plec, and about 14" of tin foils and I dont do water changes like that. Anywhere from 2-4times a month Ill do a gravel vac which I end up doing 40-50% water changes. 2-3 times a week ouch, My tanks still good from doing its change 1 week ago

I keep my nitrates below 10 at all times, 2-3 changes a week keeps it at that level. If I were to let it reach 40 or 50 I could reduce it to once a week, perhaps.

 

[ITHURTZ]

Maybe one day I will test my water and see what I am at. Right now I just go by how much is on the gravel. But hey, whatever keeps them happy