Substrate Advice Please

[sandra_may]

Hi,

We have finally decided on a 240l tank in which we will keep 3 fancy goldfish for our children and will hopefully order it over the weekend. We are looking at one black moor, one orange or red cap oranda and then one other that we've not decided on yet. Can anyone advise on what would be the best substrate for these fish please? I've heard that they are likely to eat gravel if its small, is this true?

Thanks in advance.

San.

 

[aly_starh]

I think sand (playsand) would be the best option, either from Toys r us or Argos,

Argos's comes in 15kg, i used 10kg for 65l, You would need around three bags.

Bear in mind, Goldfish roughly need 60l each, with extra powerful filtration, so four would be the absoloute maximum number of goldfish, if you wanted you could also get around 12 white cloud minnows as the shoaling fish, they would look fab too!

I love black moors, but aint got a tank big enough free!

~Betta_246

 

[sandra_may]

So the 240l should be plenty big enough for 3 then.

The tank we are getting has a Bio Standard Filter with pump set 1000.

 

[aly_starh]

Big enough for 4. 4 is the maximum.

Edit!: Sorry, i took that out as it was not even enough for my tropical fish, external would be needed.

~betta_246

 

[mark4785]

I have kept coldwater fish for a substantial period and I haven't witnessed any of them consume the substrate; they tend to place it in their mouth to separate any algae or bits of food that may be stuck to the gravel and then consume this. As for fancy goldfish, I'd say the same applies and wouldn't worry too much about the substrate. I would be more concerned about the ornaments and tank mates; fish like black moors will swim slower so don't place tank mates in there that will outcompete them for the food. Try to place ornaments in there that are smooth (no pointy edges) and that are easy to maneuver. Due to the body shapes of these kind of fish they may be more susceptible to hurting their eyes or other bulging areas of their body on pointy objects.

 

[Truck]

if you wanted you could also get around 12 white cloud minnows as the shoaling fish, they would look fab too!

they would be eaten when the fancies are fully grown

 

[aly_starh]

if you wanted you could also get around 12 white cloud minnows as the shoaling fish, they would look fab too!

they would be eaten when the fancies are fully grown

Just googled, i stand corrected!

Lol...

Rosy Red Minnows and Weather Loaches are fine.

~betta_246