Do goldfish grow larger in a larger tank? NEED ADVICE?

Question

My daughter is doing a Science Fair project and we have many questions. The question is:" Do goldfish grow larger in a larger tank? " I have 2 fish bowls with everything in both bowls the same measurements, as well as two 2'' common "Comet" goldfish.
1 Goldfish is in the 1 gal fishbowl and the other in a 1/2 gal fishbowl . I need to know what temperate they should be kept at?
How much water do I change weekly?
How to chart the data I used?
How much square area is needed for our goldfish?
How often and how much do I feed our goldfish? In each fishbowl there is only 1 goldfish.(Both fish are about 2inches each)
Are the bowls large enough? (1 bowl is 1 gal. and the other bowl is.50 gal 1/2 gal.) I was reading up on it and I read that I shouldn't use a goldfish bowl. But why are they called goldfish bowls if you should not use them?

Anyone who cares to help with this, I want to say THANK YOU right now.
Thanks

Answer 1

Goldfish do horribly in bowls. they are very dirty and require a large space. And yes... They do bet bigger in a bigger tank to a point. They max out at around 8" long. They may live a few months at best in a bowl. But in a small pond (ideal) or large aquarium (30+ gallons) they can live over 30 years! Feed them small feedings (food should be eaten within 2 minutes) 1-2 times a day. For common varieties, keep them cool (around 70 ideally). Keep the fancy breeds like orandas warm (75-80 degrees).

They call those bowls goldfish bowls for a few reasons.
1) Goldfish were some of the first fish ever kept (long ago in China)and bowls were all they had.
2)goldfish are extreamely tough and die slower in a bowl that other fish. But make no mistake. Life in a goldfish bowl kills EVERY goldfish condemed to living...well dying in one.
3) It is a quick, easy sale

Answer 2

Actually, any fish will grow larger in a larger enviornment...they adapt. But, for your particular type of fish, you may need a bit more room than a 1 gallon tank...perhaps a 5 gallon? Water temperature should range between 68 - 72 degrees farenheit, but they can survive in colder or warmer. Put a little gravel or sand at the bottom of the tanks. Feeding them should be no problem, once or twice a day, regular goldfish flakes. You should change 10% of the water weekly but please be sure to keep the pH balance and temperature correct. The only way I can figure for you to measure the fish is tape a ruler to the top or bottom of the outside of each tank and estimate when the fish turns broadside to you. You could use a graph with inches long going up the side and the dates going across the bottom. As for your goldfish bowl question...I have no idea. But, why would you want to use a goldfish bowl if you want to measure the length of the goldfish anyhow? Oh well, hope this helps.

Answer 3

I have had a goldfish now for over 10 years and I had him in a 20 gallon then a 29 gallon then a 55 gallon tank. Over time he grew to what i was told his mature size of one foot. In goldfish bowls i changed the water partially once a week and a full change on the end of the second week.
The better the water quality the healthier your goldfish, it will flourish and grow at what is considered a normal growth rate verses an unhealthy environment wich can slow growth and health. Good luck! ps i have now moved my large 10 year old goldfish to an outdoor pond.

Feeding once or twice a day, only enough so that the fish can eat it all in about 3 to 5 minutes.

Answer 4

Those goldfish should have 10 gallons each. They should have filters and you should cycle the water. You need a liquid test kit for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. She could make water cycling the whole project instead! What good is a project if the fish die before you get what you need? Goldfish are slow growers and probably won't do much growing by the time she needs this project done. If she wants a fast grower you should try guppy fry or triops. Fish normally don't grow to the tank size. In small tanks the water gets toxins built up and the fish become stunted. What happens then is the outside of the fish grows slowly and the insides grow at a normal rate. Eventually the fish die painfully deaths because the organs don't have any room and get all distorted.

Answer 5

Yes I know it will make a difference depending on the size of the tank. However I do not know how much the size difference that the tanks need to be or how quickly you will see a change. I have a friend who is a vet and she refers people with these type of questions to the state veterinarian school (our closest is LSU). Try to find your closest vet school and explain the project, I'm sure they would be glad to help you out! I would also suggest contacting your local pet store, and not just some random pet store, I would try to find one that actually has people on staff that know about animals, and weren't just hired to be there and sell stuff! Maybe check an exotic pet store.
As for charting your data, I would start a spreadsheet in Excel and keep up with it. It can generate charts and graphs for you based on the data you find. Keep up with your info daily, such as, amount of water changed and how often, water temperature, the measurement of fish daily, amount of food given daily and if you break it up into several times during the day and not all at once. Track any factor that may change the outcome, any light sources.
( I say this because I know people who have goldfish outside and they seem to grow rapidly and large, I don't know if sunlight is a factor or not, and I do know that they don't change their water in the ponds constantly)
I would definately have many fish and change many different factors with each one. Then in the end you will have plenty of data to compare.
Good luck, I hope this helps!

Answer 6

Yikes. Lots of questions. You may want to pick up a simple $10 fish book at your local pet store. Almost any fish will grow to its environment, but if the fish is a smaller breed it won't matter how big an area you have, it'll still stay small. Most goldfish can live in colder waters (no heater) but the feeding and other questions lead me to believe that this might be your first time with fish. Just pick up a book. It'll help you out.

Answer 7

Ok. So when it comes to the size of the bowl. I would use bigger for one of them...use a 10 gallon tank or something. They are really pretty inexpensive. They are cold water, so room temperature would be just fine.
As for the 'bowls', the reason they say not to use them is because gold fish emit a high amount of ammonia. Just keep switching a bit of fresh water. And make sure the water is de-chlorinated.

Answer 8

We put some goldfish in a manmade lake, and within 2 years the goldfish were about 15 inches long. :)

Answer 9

Goldfish will grow alot bigger if in a bigger tank. I don't know much about them other then that. Try searching the net for more info on goldfish and how to raise them. Might be very helpful in her project. I would do it together. Good Luck

Answer 10

Yes

Goldfish tolerate cooler waters than tropical fish, so mid-70's (F). They can do fine in 1/2 gallon bowls if you do frequent and careful water changes.

Fish like goldfish do tend to adapt to the size of their environment. This project will be a success, take careful notes!