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[rsands]

My sister got a goldfish as a kid...and it lived for 19years in a tiny tank...wrong i know but it lived for that length of time happy as anything swimming around

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

My sister got a goldfish as a kid...and it lived for 19years in a tiny tank...wrong i know but it lived for that length of time happy as anything swimming around

It could have lived for much longer though, goldfish have been known to live for up to 45 years old;

http/news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/4341254.stm

Who knows how much longer it could have lived for if it had been kept in a tank of a suitable size? Probably much longer at the very least.

 

[Timberview]

Well I'm Leaving Mine In That Tank So....

 

[poopsydrew]

Well I'm Leaving Mine In That Tank So....

So.......what?? Why are you here....

 

[OrganizedChaos69]

(You will eventually need to upgrade the tank soon, they need at least a 4ft long 75gallon minimum tank, preferably larger, as common goldfish can grow to over 12inches long, the goldfish will outgrow the tank soon.).

If you have ammonia showing in your test results that could be a bad thing depending on how accurate your water quality testing kits are. When was the last time you did a water change, cleaned the substrate in the tank and cleaned the filter?

They don't need a bigger tank. If you do the math, they will grow to 12 inches over a few years, that is 1 inch per a gallon, and a total of 36 inches at most in a 30 gallon. It is not as dangerous as some people suggest to go a few small inches over the reccomended length. As long as this person cleans their tank often, doesn't over feed, and keeps a close eye on the trank, there will be no problem with them staying in a 30 for their entire lives. A 75 is frankly a rediculous proposal. (In no way am I insulting you), but it's uneccessary and an expensive buy). Goldfish don't need excessively large coldwater tanks.

Hard core ruyle abiding aqaurists can crucify me for saying this, but I'll say it again, it's alright to go a few inches over the 1 inch per a gallon tank limit. (Also in reality, not all the goldfish will grow to 12 inches making a likely size outcome to be 32 inches of fish in a 30 gallon tank), This is perfectly acceptable to me as long as you clean the tank often and watch the fish and ammonia/nitrate/nitrite levels.

 

[poopsydrew]

(You will eventually need to upgrade the tank soon, they need at least a 4ft long 75gallon minimum tank, preferably larger, as common goldfish can grow to over 12inches long, the goldfish will outgrow the tank soon.).

If you have ammonia showing in your test results that could be a bad thing depending on how accurate your water quality testing kits are. When was the last time you did a water change, cleaned the substrate in the tank and cleaned the filter?

They don't need a bigger tank. If you do the math, they will grow to 12 inches over a few years, that is 1 inch per a gallon, and a total of 36 inches at most in a 30 gallon. It is not as dangerous as some people suggest to go a few small inches over the reccomended length. As long as this person cleans their tank often, doesn't over feed, and keeps a close eye on the trank, there will be no problem with them staying in a 30 for their entire lives. A 75 is frankly a rediculous proposal. (In no way am I insulting you), but it's uneccessary and an expensive buy). Goldfish don't need excessively large coldwater tanks.

Hard core ruyle abiding aqaurists can crucify me for saying this, but I'll say it again, it's alright to go a few inches over the 1 inch per a gallon tank limit. (Also in reality, not all the goldfish will grow to 12 inches making a likely size outcome to be 32 inches of fish in a 30 gallon tank), This is perfectly acceptable to me as long as you clean the tank often and watch the fish and ammonia/nitrate/nitrite levels.

you cant be serious? So by your logic an oscar would be ok in a 15 gallon because your following the 1 inch rule? You need to realize that is a basic guidline. You cant put a 12 inch fish in a 12 gallon tank, it doesnt work like that. And I would say common goldfish DEFINATLEY need large coldwater tanks or ponds (not really sure why you think they dont??!) No one is here to crucify you, just inform you.

 

[OrganizedChaos69]

No I am very serious my friend. Using common sense however one will notice that a goldfish is proabbaly 1 inch tall and 12 inches long, an oscar is about 12 inches long and 8 inches tall. There is a huge difference. One eats way more and eats different kind of food. In this case with goldfish, I would be perfectly content with a 30 gallon for the rest of their lives. To clarify however, an oscar of the same length, would need at the very least 50 gallons, because he is essentially 8 goldfish high and 8 goldfish long. Thank you for posting to allow me to clarify. It's all relative to fish length AND height when deciding how large your tank needs to be.

Also I welcome all opinions, but I am a pet care specialist as a profession right now. I tell my customers these things all the time and they report great results. However I always have room to be corrected, or forced to clarify. I stand by my statement from before with everything I have, however I see I definately needed to clarify. Thank you.

 

[Chrispixx]

Well I'm Leaving Mine In That Tank So....

So.......what?? Why are you here....

Some people you just cant help.



Timber.... time for a new sig pic.. blake didnt win.

 

[TammyLiz]

I would just like to call for a little bit of friendliness here, please? Normally I like to stay out of things like this but seriously, I think this person has taken more than her share of negative comments in this thread.

If the water is kept clean the goldfish will probably be fine in that sized tank for quite a long while. Eventually they will die from the lack of space but hopefully she'll have a chance to upgrade again before then, or rehome them to a pond.

I don't think it is worth chasing someone away from the forum and its looking like that is what you guys are trying to do.

The ammonia could be from having just moved them to a new tank. When you say "just", exactly how recent do you mean? And how often and how large do you do water changes? Have you checked nitrAtes?

 

[Ilya]

Depending on how large your backyard is, you can create a sustainable pond for about $150 to $200. My neighbor has one with a few coys. Funny thing is, there is a pelican that flies around, so he put shock wire over it .

 

[kribensis12]

We still have not awsnserd her question. They maybe skittish becasue they were just moved to a new tank. And did u cycle the tank before putting the goldfish in? If u didnt expect alot more ammonia in the tank.

 

[Danno]

Now that we are on topic (thanks kribensis12 ) Goldfish can sometimes just be skittish by nature. That or maybe it just wants to feel all that water now between its fins.

 

[Timberview]

Thank You OrganizedChaos69 I totally Agree!
"Timber.... time for a new sig pic.. blake didnt win." Hey Hey Dont rub it in lol
Thank You also TammyLiz! I appreciate Your kindness.
Ilya, We tried making a pond but it cost to much, then a branch punctured it and that was the end of that....
I moved them the 17th of may, No I dont have a nitrates kit. I do large water changes every month.
They seem fine now though....

Im 14 years old and we cant afford a bigger tank so im just happy that they are in the 30 instead of the 10.=)

 

[vinylman]

You need to do water changes more regularly than once a month; Preferably weekly. Goldfish are very, very messy. The more mess, the more ammonia will build up. ''They seem fine now'' - doesn't mean they are. You really need a test kit.

 

[K.J.]

The inch per gallon rule IMO only applies to fish under 5 inches. Secondly, do weekly 25% changes instead, not monthly. More preferably, as presumably your ammonia is through the roof. I completely understand not being able to upgrade though, hope everything works out.