goldfish decorations?

[alabaster]

Do goldfish need plants (either live or fake) to feel comfortable, as some species do? Would it be detrimental to them in any way to skip plants and simply use different sized rocks as decorations in their tank?

My other question is whether Seachem's Onyx Sand (really more like fine gravel) will be a good substrate, although my goldfish tank will not be planted. The reason I ask is that I really like the aesthetics of this substrate, although I've heard sand and goldfish do not work well together. Anyone had any experience with this type of thing?

 

[Snailguy101]

I wan't to know the same thing I have a bubble eyed and a fancy tail and I wanan know what decoration I can put

 

[Teelie]

Goldfish tend to eat most plants or tear them up so I'd go with fake plants. I imagine they like the shade and comfort of floating plants and large planted plants with leaves for hiding in or under. I've also heard sand is bad for goldfish as they might swallow it by accident causing an obstruction.

I used to keep some goldfish and sometimes they'd get their mouths stuck with bits of gravel. They don't eat so much as suck up their food in a vacuum. Definitely provide some kind of hiding decorations though if you can.

 

[alabaster]

Do you think that large rocks will provide sufficient shelter or hiding places? Are fake plants necessary? What decorations can be used for bubble-eye goldfish? Is it okay to go without plants (fake or real) if I decide to get bubble-eyes?

 

[Snailguy101]

What about a bubble eye can they even have decorations?

 

[black angel]

For bubble eyes, less is best. Even for these guys hitting the side of a filter can cause the bubbles to burst. Many people who have them keep them in a completely bare tank with hob filters and foam around the intake tubes. But if you want decor then i suppose as long as its round then it should be ok but remember that these fish cant see very well.
as for plants, they do like to eat them and really should have elodea as a food source anyway. broad leaved plants seem to stand a better chance and if you have bubble eyes then i assume you have the water heated for them as they are delicate fish. If so then i would say java fern, as none of mine ever touched it.
I wouldnt go for plastic plants unless they are soft, and silk would be a better choice.
The substrate sounds fine, small enough not to choke on and large enough so as not to damage the gills. I havent seen this substrate before so cant advise any further on that one.

 

[Snailguy101]

Thanks angel that really helped