Of Goldfish And 10 Gal Tanks

[Khanna]

 My sister recently got into fishkeeping. While I'm happy for her, she got a ten gallon tank and is insisting upon putting three goldfish into it. Now, with my own goldfish in a ten gallon experience (with only two!) I tell her about the bioload and stress of having one, let alone three goldfish into a ten gallon tank. But she's vehement in putting three goldies into that itty bitty tank- what can I say to convince her not to? She insists she'll do 10% water changes every day and watch the parameters like a hawk, but I when I tell her that's not enough, she doesn't believe me. Any tips?

 

[TallTree01]

Yes. Tell her the goldfish will not live 20 years like they should. Then when they die in 2-3 years, make this face: and say:
"I told you so.".

 

[Khanna]

They would last two to three years?! I wouldn't give them a week!
..wow. She just told me that since her betta lived in a bowl for three years, goldfish should be fine. How this happened is a mystery to me as cleanings were sporadic and my mother would clean the outside with clorox.
But I actually am kinda curious. If she did clean the tank redundantly, everyday, would they really live that long?

 

[Chad]

Have her take a look at this thread. http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/417577-how-many-commet-goldfish-could-live-in-this-tank/

 

[Khanna]

Oh wow, thanks! She actually wanted koi first, if you'll believe that.  But anyway I'll show her this.

 

[Chad]

It's probably one of the hardest things for us in the hobby to change because the goldfish in a bowl is so deep in our cultures that people think they are doing great by putting them in 10 gallons. I used to feel that way until I actually had success and they grew too large.

 

[Khanna]

I know, I felt awful when I read that my two goldfish set up in a ten gallon tank would go horribly wrong (as it has, the tank is currently empty and cycling). I feel kinda bad now for not speaking up in petsmart when some kid bought a fancy goldfish with a half gallon bowl. At least we all learn from our mistakes, right?

 

[NeonBlueLeon]

Goldfish are hardy, but that doesn't mean they are comfortable.  Like they said, it's hard to change people's minds about proper care of goldfish.  My aunt has 10 goldfish in a 10 gallon tank.  Of course they appear okay, and of course whatever I say will not convince them to get a bigger tank.  I've already donated a good filter and decorations to her to aid the fish in whatever way I can.  Before that, there was only a weak bubbler in the tank!

 

[This Old Spouse]

 

[TallTree01]

No way that's a goldfish!

 

[cynic]

My sister is the same 2 fish in a.......... Well for the sanity of others lets just say small. My daughters fish are in a 30 gallon planted tank and the difference in the fish is obvious.

 

[This Old Spouse]

It's like keeping a dog in a kennel all its life.

 

[Khanna]

Yes! We made our weekly trip to petsmart today and I showed her the koi and those huge goldfish. She settled on five glofish (thank goodness I got it down to five, she wanted the entire tankful) and they look fine. Phew

 

[This Old Spouse]

GOOD JOB!!

 

[Chad]

Yes! We made our weekly trip to petsmart today and I showed her the koi and those huge goldfish. She settled on five glofish (thank goodness I got it down to five, she wanted the entire tankful) and they look fine. Phew

Kudos to you!