How long should goldfish live?

Question

I have had my 2 gold fish for almost 3 years. Hm....Is this normal?

Its a 10gallon tank, w/ a tetra filter.

My fish are still alive

Answer 1

Goldfish can live up to 20 years in the proper conditions, that usually means a pond.
In a large aquarium with good filtration, proper kH (often forgotten but important water parameter for fish health), low nitrates (again a parameter that affects health and longevity in subtle ways), and proper feeding (very important, many foods such as TetraFin are of low quality); you can expect 15 years or more.
For a lot more information links including about kH and feeding, visit:
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Information.html

Answer 2

No, it's not normal. Properly cared for, goldfish can live 10 to 20 years. I think the record is something like 43 years.

Your fish died because your tank is way, way too small. Fancy goldfish (which are the smallest variety) need at least 20 gallons each. So, for 2 goldies, you need a 40 gallon tank.

For large varieties of goldfish like comets, a pond, really, is required, or a huge tank (ie 300gallons).

Goldfish are huge waste producers. They poop constantly and it will easily foul up a small tank. With such large amounts of ammonia, the fish will be stressed and sick, with lowered immune systems, thus allowing other diseases and sicknesses to kill them off, when a healthy fish could have easily survived.

There is a myth that a fish won't outgrow a tank. Well, the reason it won't outgrow a tank that is too small is that it DIES before it has the chance to outgrow it. Fish kept in tanks too small will get stunted. No good.

Are you looking into getting some new fish? If you're keeping you 10gallon tank, I suggest you go with a few platies - you can get them in red, so they look like goldfish, but they don't get more than 2" and breed super easily.

Another suggestion would be to keep a nice male betta (they come in red, too :))
http://www.bloggingpet.com/images/r_betta_fish.jpg
and a school of small fish, like 8 neon tetras http://members.lycos.nl/petervanbrunschot/images/neon%20tetra.paracheirodon%20innesi.jpg or 8 harlequin rasboras http://tropicalresources.net/phpBB2/templates/BMan1Blue/images/profile_pics/fish_profiles_heteromorpha1.jpg

If you're sticking to goldies, then go with a bigger tank. You won't be disapointed.

Answer 3

this is normal, and yes, they will live a lot longer if you put them in a bigger tank, the requirement for goldfish is 30Gallons per goldfish as they are very messy, they have an immense body mass and produce more waste than many fish, the waste they produce if full of ammonia, this is a killer for them. If you keep them in a small tank what will happen is that they will get stunted meaning their body will not grow quick enough to accommodate their organs wish will keep on growing no matter what kind of space the are in, just remember, the size of the tank doesn't mean they will grow less, it means that you are not providing proper conditions for the animal, and they will keep growing even if you put them in a can of fruits, so think about it, you seam to love your fish, find a bigger tank and switch them to it ad you still have an empty tank to play with, if you like it enough you might end up like most people in the hobby, we all have MTS or Multi Tank Syndrome.

Answer 4

If properly cared for, particularly in a clean and sufficiently spacious tank, it is not uncommon for goldfish to live many decades. Keeping up the tank and filtration system, using clean, pH-balanced water, checking often for signs of illness, treating oddities quickly to strengthen odds of recovery, and giving your fish space to grow by moving them to a larger tank will all increase their chances of living the long, happy and healthy life they deserve.

Answer 5

I have five goldfish: Napoleon, Pedro, Kip, Bob, and Angel.

Goldfish are supposed to live for 10 - 15 years IF they're cared for properly. They can also grow up to be 14 inches long! So, don't freak; you might have them for about 7 more years!

Answer 6

wow! you're a great caretaker! Its normal to have fish for quite awhile. My fish have been with me for a year now and they're still growing!

As long as you clean their tank out on a regular basis, feed them right, they'll live for years!

Answer 7

I had two little gold fish that lived for 6 years.

Answer 8

If taken care of properly with a minimum of ten gallons each, a good filter and regular water changes they can live up to 20 years.

Answer 9

At one time, I had two small, inexpensive goldfish named Fido and Rover. They lived in a simple glass bowl on the end of the kitchen counter-top. Each week, I'd meticulously clean out their bowl. This became my weekly chore, just like dusting all the furniture in the house. One time, I accidental dropped one down the garbage disposal but he was immediately rescued with only a little damage to a fin. Thank goodness! As time passed, the fish grew a little in size, swam around and around and around and around, ate and pooped, ate and pooped some more, and provided us with a relatively small amount of pleasure. Well, to our surprise, one lived 9 years and was replaced with Spot (named for his one black spot), and the other lived 11 years. To this day, I miss Fido, Rover, and Spot. :(

Answer 10

Yes. As long as they have a good clean environment, they can live a very long time.