Goldfish in a 5 gallon tank?

Question

I just bought a 5 gallon tank yesterday and I don't have any fish yet, but I really wanted a goldfish. So I went to the pet store today and they said there's no way I could have a goldfish in 5 gallons, not even if it was a small fish. Is there anyone that has had goldfish in 5 gallons before or that would know if it would be healthy for the fish? I really want to have a healthy fish and I don't want it to die after a month. Any advice??

Ok thank you all! I decided not to get a goldfish because I didn't want it to become unhealthy. I got four smaller fish and a dwarf frog. Thanks again.

Answer 1

To keep a goldfish happy and healthy and not barely living then they need a minimum of 10 gallons each when babies and 20+ when adults. Even the small fancy type can grow more then 8 inches long and can live more then 20 years, because people think they don't need room and frequent water changes they usually stunt then and poison them to death when still very young. If you would like to learn the proper way to care for a goldfish then check this site out, http://kokosgoldfish.com/

Answer 2

Your goldfish may survive in a 5 gallon tank for a while, but sooner than later you will need to get a bigger tank. Goldfish grow pretty fast, I made the same mistake, and am soon moving my goldfish for the third time to a 20 gallon tank. Youd do best to get a single betta or a 5 small tropical community fish and a heater. A tank that size cant accomodate any more than that. Some breeds of tetras, platies, or guppies are colorful, and stay fairly small. Please dont put a goldfish in there, it would be like having to live in your bedroom closet.

Answer 3

It is not impossible. I personally have one goldfish in a 5 gallon tank. I also have aeration and a filter and I clean the water every few weeks, whenever it's not crystal clear. I have plastic plants so he has a place to hide and large smooth colored gravel on the bottom. It is reccommended that you have 10 -15 gallons for goldfish. This is because goldfish are the highest-waste-producing fish. So they are really dirty. :) The only worry is keeping the tank clean so no fungus grows, and keeping it well aerated so the fish can breathe easily. It seems you really want your fish to be healthy, so I believe you would be diligent in keeping the tank very clean. If you can commit this time of cleaning and maintaining the tank, there is no treason not to get one, but do not get more than one fish. Also, aeration and filtration is essential. If this is your first fish, you may want to start out with smaller, cleaner fish like guppies or tetras (I think they may be tropical?) To practice learning about your tank and fish and how they live and grow. I did say I have one goldfish in a 5 gallon tank, but if I had the money and the room and the time, I would most definitely get a bigger tank and stronger filter. That said, I stand by my statement that a goldfish can live a long life in a carefully maintained clean 5 gallon tank.

I've included my absolute favorite source on every aspect of goldfish care, as well as a forum to ask questions. You should read up on goldfish ownership before you buy your fish so you can be well prepared. It will be worth the effort later on.

Answer 4

Well, goldfish are easy to take care of so there really isn't much to do then give him food, filters, and some plants. 5 gallons is big enough for two goldfish! Those people at that store are crazy! Lol. Well Good luck. Bye.

Answer 5

If you want a gold fish get a bigger tank, fancy goldfish (fat bodied) can live for a good while in a 10-15 gal tank set up. Commons comets koi or the "long bodied" goldfish are generally pond fish & need 100's of gallons for them to be healthy. If you want to get a fish for your five gal get a betta, or a few zebra danio's. They will do better with a heater, but they will make it without one as long as you keep your house temp around 68-72 degrees & keep the tank away from outside walls, windows, drafts & outside doors.

Answer 6

Goldfish produce so much ammonia that the water would become toxic too quick in a 5 gallon tank. If you honestly want a fish to survive in that tank you need to look up information on fishless cycling. Cycling is a way to grow beneficial bacteria that will take care of the ammonia and other water toxins.

Edit: Dr. Dope, nice name btw, a healthy goldfish can grow 5 inches in a year

Answer 7

This goldfish wouldn't even last a month in a tank that size. Goldfish produce too much waste for a five gallon tank, especially is there is not filtration. As a general rule, every inch of MATURE goldfish length must AT MOST 2 gallons, so you can only have 2.5" of adult goldfish in this tank, and that is at absolute most, and there aren't goldfish that grow that small. Tropical fish are 1" per gallon, so you could have 4 or 5 of them in a tank that size provided it is properly cleaned and filtered

Answer 8

The thing with gold fish is that they are very dirty fish. they put out allot of ammonia. Gold fish need to have a large tank so that they can live healthy!!Plus the fact that gold fish grow very quickley and soon would out grow your 5 gallon if they lived long enough. Why not try a Betta or a couple of Fancy guppies!! If the tank has a light it will keep the water warm enough

By the way saying a fish will only grow as big as the tank will allow is like saying if you put your child in a box it will not grow any bigger...

Answer 9

Even though most POSTERS would crucify me for saying this...
Depends on how long you want to change your community.

Yes, you can keep GoldFish in this aquarium, 5 - 10 if you wish. But, they will die between 6 months and a year. If your OK with this. then go ahead.

If you want to keep your PETS for a long time, upgrade to at least a 45 gallon for GoldFish.

Answer 10

5 gallons is too small for any goldfish but a beta will love it!