What To Do With A 20 Gallon...

[Shovelman]

Been into tropical fish for a couple years now but haven't really found much to put into my left over 20 gallon tall tank (IMO all tanks are really awkward....), so after not finding anything that struck my hot button on the tropical side for this small tank i thought id try you guys here in the cold water section ;D Really just looking for an easy going fish, not necessary here for color, but more so for character and interesting body shape and that's when i thought of all the different types of fancy goldfish available.

Are there any species of fancy goldfish that would be happy in a 20 gallon tall (its actually quite spacious). Of course i was one of those people who started with a goldfish (of which i kept him for 7 years and maxed out at around 8") and just remembered how fun they actually are.

I know that if any at all, probably 1 goldfish do to their high waste output....so opinions welcome!

Have a heater in case it gets too cold during winter

 

[Shovelman]

Basically im just wondering what type of goldfish (breed/ strain) would be fine in a 20 gallon tank?

anyone?

 

[Shovelman]

a bit miffed now....i don't mean to sound impatient but id like to get the tank going...

 

[lilirish]

sorry Shovelman, I just saw this

One of the smaller fancies might work well - - avoid shubunkins, blackmoors, oranda, ranchu, lionhead - these are all very bulky fancies who can get to be 10"

Look into celestials, bubble-eyes, telescope eyes, ryukins, fantails. Each one of these will top off between 4-6" (not including tail)

Your tank will limit you to one goldfish - but you'd be surprised by how much they interact with you.

A handful of dojo loaches and guppies would also work well with your goldie.

 

[Fishy friend2]

I don't think any kind of fancy goldfish can do well in a 20 gallon tank because they get 10" long for most fancy types and require double filtration the minimum would be 30 gallons for 2 and it would have to be double filtered, maybe some minnows, rosy reds like maybe 7 to 10 of those little guys they do not need extra filtration as far as i know.

 

[Shovelman]

I don't think any kind of fancy goldfish can do well in a 20 gallon tank because they get 10" long for most fancy types and require double filtration the minimum would be 30 gallons for 2 and it would have to be double filtered, maybe some minnows, rosy reds like maybe 7 to 10 of those little guys they do not need extra filtration as far as i know.

but if its a minimum of 30Gallons for 2 whats the problem with one in a 20 gallon with double to triple filtration like i'm planing?

thanks lilirish! I shall look into those ones instead!

ps im hoping to see if i can find a 30g to fit on my stand.. the reason for the 20 is because its what i already have and i doubt my parents will let me upgrade with me bringing in a 65G soon..

 

[lilirish]

Unfortunately you often see people quoting 20 gallons for the first fancy and 10 gallons for each additional - but when a mbr with a 20 gallon comes along it often is then said to be "unacceptable" - I see it often on other forums and it makes me shake my head.

The key is to do proper research (like you are doing) and figure out which type of fancy works in your tank.


If you do go forward....lots of pictures please!!!

 

[Fishy friend2]

A 30 gallon for 2 would be okay because of the size of a 30 gallon tank but 1 in a 20 gallon is not okay because a 20 gallon is no place for a 8 to 10 inch fish and your gold fish will be very depressed if kept alone I kept one of mine alone once for like a month and he became less active, didn't eat as much, was lying on the bottom of the tank, and he just looked so sad, but when I got another one he became like his old self.

 

[pandamonium86]

i would certainly agree that goldfish are social creatures. i have four fancy goldfish (about to move into their new bigger tank) and they certainly love to play and follow one another around. its more fun for them and more fun for you to watch them interact. i would definately agree that you shouldnt keep too many in a 20l tank as that is what i started out with and even as babies they are too big for the tank. i agree that realistically you are not going to get more than one in that tank comfortably once they grow.

 

[Shovelman]

Interesting... i joined an all goldfish forum to ask the same question about a fancy goldfish in a 20 gallon. Lots of conflicting data now... all of them say its more than OK (even a couple of the mods who have large ponds and fancy goldfish tanks= experience) for a single fancy to live happily in a 20 gallon versus all of you guys who are against it....

 

[lilirish]

I too am on that forum and just saw your thread

Very psyched about you helping with the other tank too - - you are going to become a goldie addict

 

[Caprichoso]

I'm going to interject here. All goldfish get too large to be housed in a 20g tank IMO. If anyone has a "small" goldfish, it is because it's growth has been stunted by poor water conditions and lack of proper nutrients. I think the smallest goldfish still grows to be 5 inches which if you think about a 5 inch fish in a 20 gallon tank, it just sounds atrocious.

 

[Shovelman]

I'm going to interject here. All goldfish get too large to be housed in a 20g tank IMO. If anyone has a "small" goldfish, it is because it's growth has been stunted by poor water conditions and lack of proper nutrients. I think the smallest goldfish still grows to be 5 inches which if you think about a 5 inch fish in a 20 gallon tank, it just sounds atrocious.

Hey im all ears! I like to do whats best for the fish! And right now its sounding like i might only have the chance to make a goldy tank at school since im using my 65 gallon for archers and my 20 tall is obviously too small