Do I need to get a larger fish tank? I have 3 goldfish that are about 8 years old.?

Question

Two of the goldfish have bodies that are over 5 inches, the 3rd one is about 4 inches.I currently have them in a 29 gallon "long" size tank.I have TWO Aquaclear filters 50 filters on the tank. I do weekly 25-35% water changes and I feed them good food. I rotate changing the various types of media in their filters.
Recently , the last 6 months my fish keep getting bacteria infections. Red spots on their fins and left untreated they look like they may die. I use a fungus clear product on them and that seems to clear it up but within a month or so the red spots are back. I have also fed them a medicated food.
My brother says they need a new tank , that they are too big for this tank and that I am abusing them.I love these fish and I try hard to keep them happy. any advice

Answer 1

Your brother is absolutely right. They're getting sick due to poor water quality, even though you are doing rigorous maintanence. Goldfish produce TONS of ammonia, and when they're as big as yours are, you just can't keep up with how fast they dirty their water. If you can afford it, I'd get a 90+ gallon for them. It will make your life easier, and your fishies will be healthy. If you can't, for their sake, I'd find someone with a pond so they can live out their lives happily and healthy. Thank you for trying to take proper care of your goldfish!

Answer 2

The red spots are likely a bacteria called Red Velvet. Treating it with anything other than treatment for red velvet will only cause it to subside but will reoccur again since the bacteria wasn't completely killed off. Instructions for exactly how to use it and how much will be on the bottle, it's been years since I dealt with red velvet so I can't remember it exactly. Sorry. Try backing off of the water changes as well. Try going 2 weeks without a water change and see how it goes.

Do you have sufficient air going into the tank by airstones? Another cause could be poor oxygenation to the tank, which can also cause red spots but usually this causes streaks rather than spotting. As for the size of tank, it sounds like the size is good. But if you notice the tails of the fish beginning to curve upward, it's time for a bigger tank. The bodies will start to deform if the living area is too small for them, biggest indicator and it will happen rather quickly so it's easy to catch. Hope this helps and good luck!

**Wanted to add, make sure you are using a water conditioner any time you are changing more than 10% water change. The lime and calcium in the water can be very hazardous to fish and water conditioner specified for tanks neutralizes it. I forgot once and actually lost a fish from it. But I can say, I had 2 Koi in my tank that were over 7 inches long each, a plecostmus that was 6 inches long, 2 goldfish that were 4 inches, and 13 baby fish. All lived in harmony until a bacteria got in the tank and killed a few off. We still have 13 and they are very happy together in there, no problems at all. Tanks been going for 3 years and it's a 30 gallon.

Answer 3

ceci9293 has all of it almost always spelled out, however I might moment the truth that goldfishes are a BAD thought, and bettas are a fantastic thought. If you google 'betta' you can see they're infact very lovely fishes, and do not require overly highly-priced preliminary outlays, they are no longer choosy eaters and they are very hardy. They may also tolerate smaller tanks than so much fishes, on the grounds that that they cannot be stored with others in their type. They quite want an absolute minimal of two gallons, however five gallons and even 10 gallons might be fine. You can get a few vibrant gravel and false crops (and even truly in the event you like) and feature a lovely tank hooked up. If you get a ten gallon tank, you would additionally introduce a small quantity of alternative fish, adding a small shoal of tetras (the small darty ones) which might be additionally very vibrant and amusing to observe. You would additionally get a snail, which might be amusing to your eight 12 months historic :) Alternatives to the tetra comprise a small shoal of corydoras catfish, a small shoal of danios (even glofish ones in the event you reside within the US) or a few loaches. Remember under no circumstances to condominium a betta with different lengthy finned fish that it should mistake for a further betta, as there shall be a combat as a way to become with one million lifeless or critically injured fish. Bettas do definately want a heater, however can do with out a filter out if you're well with replacing the water. However, if I have been you I'd purchase a filter out, as with the scale tank that you can have for it, they should not be very highly-priced in any respect, and I feel spending $10-$15 on a filter out might be simpler than replacing the water two times per week, as a substitute you'll be able to do it handiest as soon as per week. Remember to cycle earlier than introducing any fish, this implies establishing a tank, then placing a pinch of fish meals in and leaving it for four weeks. You should buy your possess checking out kits (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH) or instead after four weeks, take a few water to an aquarium retailer or safe puppy retailer (with a well significant fish resolution, and riskless staff (I have a pets at residence close me, and even though those locations don't seem to be typically well, one of the most females there was preserving fish for over twenty years and is infact very knowledgable and highly handy - you simply must recognise who to appear for!)) and they'll inform you in case your water is ok. Hope this is helping a bit of!

Answer 4

cheers for keeping those gold fishes alive for that long. You can get another tank... maybe a 35 gallon one. i think it's $60-70
you can keep all of them in the new tank temporarily untill you can clean out the old tank. Then you can put 1 in one tank and 2 in the other.

Answer 5

Your brother is right you need a new fish tank because there body probally is scraping up against the time irratating there skin turning it red.

Answer 6

yes I would get them a larger tank, also I want to warn you that some people use sponges to clean their tanks. please make sure it is not one of those anti bacterial sponges. it kills the good slime that protects the fish, (their own slim on their body) and your fish could die. Happened to me and I lost my three large gold fish. they were beautiful and was very sad to watch this happen when I was trying to get them better.

Answer 7

theres a 55 gal at walmart for $135.... i dont know about goldfish... sorry but dont go to petco or petsmart because it will cost you ALOT MORE money if you decide to get another tank