How many fancy goldfish can I keep in a 29gallon?

[pleco510]

Hi there
I'm going to switch my tank around from tropical to coldwater fish and I have a few questions.

First off how many black moors or orandas can I keep in a 29gallon? I heard that I could keep 1-2 is that correct?

Secondly, I heard that keeping the heater in the tank set for 74 degrees Farenheight is actually good for fancy goldfish. Is this true?

Lastly, I would appreciate any info about caring for coldwater fish. I've searched the net and know some, but I would also like to hear other point of views. Thank you.

 

[wetwetwet]

Hi and welcome pleco510,

sorry coldwater is not my area, but I'm sure someone will be along soon to help.

I'm not sure of the size of the fish you want to keep but that stocking level sounds a bit on the low side to me

I believe keeping the heater to be a good idea just to maintain a constant temperature unless you live somewhere where the temperature is not going to drop much below say 60-65F for a duration. If you allready have the heater then why not use it?

 

[pleco510]

Thanks for the help mate.

 

[pondfreak4365]

Hi Pleco, I keep goldfish in a pond outdoors (where it is occasionally freezing). They will thrive if you keep them warmer. The rule for goldies is the same as tropicals. 1 inch per gallon, keeping in mind that they will grow a lot eating all year. Orandas can get 5-6 inches long. Not as sure about the black moors though. Good luck with keeping your new fishies

 

[William]

Some of them get huge, you need to keep the stocking densities lower for goldies. Personally I would go for tropicals instead as you will be able to keep more fish, also goldfish are very messy and they'll attack all your plants

However since you want goldfish... I think you can have 2 to 4 it really depends on which ones you get with some growing bigger than others... I'll try and find out the sizes for you if you want

I think stickleback also keeps some goldies so he may be able to help a little also...

Good luck.

 

[pleco510]

Thanks for all the help guys.
Really appreciate it.

 

[Gibbo]

My missus has a 6" twintail Gold Moor and a 5" Black Moor in with a 10" Goldfish and another 8" Goldfish with 3 x 4"+ Shebumkins. They are in a huge (4ftx2ftx2ft), heated (23C) tank with external filtration and they still make heck of a lot of waste! The key is plenty of partial water changes - 30% a week - for optimum health. Try and keep water on the hard side if poss. and keep water agitation to a minimum (spray bar). Use bubble cutain at back of tank for airation. Warmer water is better for swim bladder, because of body shape fancies tend to have slightly deformed swim bladders and can struggle with balance! B)

 

[pleco510]

I've got one more question for you guys.
Does it matter what size the gravel has to be when keeping goldfish?
I've kept 1inch gravel for years in my tropical tank and just vacumed alot.

The reason why I'm asking is because I read somewhere that some guy's goldfish got a rock stuck in its mouth and died.

If that's the case then I guess I'd have to change my substrate.
Wouldn't that affect the beneficial nitrifying bacteria though? Man...

 

[wetwetwet]

1 inch gravel? - that would be more like a pebble lol

There is the odd story of fish getting gravel stuck in their mouths but I don't think it happens that often to be an issue - maybe it does depend on the fish?

the majority of the bacteria should be in the filter but if your concerned about it then don't change all your substrate at once - do it in stages

 

[pleco510]

Thanks for the info wetwetwet!

 

[shtinkypuppie]

Nearly all of the fancy goldfish get up to about 8-10 inches, i wouldnt put more than two... 8 inches of Oranda is a LOT of fish, theyre tall and fat. They like lots of stuff to play with, and need lots of biological filtration. They wil be happiest with lots of caves and stuff to explore; theyre a very curious and playful fish.