I wou;ld like to set up a new 40 gallon tank. I really like the big buggy eyed goldfish. I have been told that keeping Goldfish is difficult because they are really nasty fish and dirty up a tank. Anyone have a feedback to this ?? I need to know the Items I will need and how many Goldies could I put in a 40 Gallon tank ? Do all the Goldies have to be the same Size and Species ?? Thanks...
2007-02-19 11:54:08 · 8 answers · asked by Terry R 4 in Pets ➔ Fish
For a 40 gallon tank, I would recommend only two goldfish. Even the fancies can grow up to 8-10 inches and this would allow plenty of room for them to grow and have a healthy environment. Trust me, as small goldfish, this may look like such a waste of space, but in the long run, it is truly for the best health of the fish. There is so much to learn about doing this right and not nearly enough space to write it all in here, so please do some research on how to set up the tank, how to cycle the water and test it so you know it is ready for fish, how to do proper water changes and maintenance, proper and adequate filtration and learn a little about diseases so you can identify and treat them when your fish get sick. You should also learn the different types of goldfish so that you understand which should be kept with which. For instance, the slim-bodied goldfish cannot live with the "buggy-eyed" goldfish. For that matter, not even the regular fancies can live with the "buggy-eyed" goldfish. The "buggy-eyed" goldfish are basically in three categories. Bubble eyes, telescope eyes and celestial eyes. These types should be kept together because they are slow moving goldfish who cannot see well and if they are kept with any other type of fish, they will not be able to find the food to eat. I would be careful about listening to most of what the big Petsmaco stores and WallyWorld have to say because they are there just to sell you fish and, with the occasional exception, employ people who have little or no knowledge about the product they are selling. In fact, I wouldn't even suggest buying fish from these stores. Better quality information as well as fish more often comes from the specialized little shop that is run by people who are highly experienced. A lot of knowledge gained beforehand about the aquarium and the fish will go a long way to having happy, healthy goldfish who do not die and live a long time and who make you happy too! Good luck and have fun!
2007-02-19 12:03:02 · answer #1 · answered by Venice Girl 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
There are a few kinds of goldfish that this description could apply to - There are telescope - eyes, celestial eyes, and bubble eyes. And these should be kept in tanks of just one variety. The "weird" eyes causes problems with their field of vision and they may not be able to compete with "better sighted" goldfish for food. Plus, you shouldn't keep sharp objects in their tank - they may not see them and run into them by accident, injuring themselves.
Goldfish are a messy fish - and a big fish, and one that is long-lived. Fancy goldfish can get to be 8-12 inches long and will likely live for 20+ years with good care (the record goldfish was 49 yrs!). "Common" goldfish can get up to 23". For these reasons, they need large tanks or ponds to do well.
A 40 gallon tank would be okay for two to four fancy goldfish. They should be about the same size or one can bully the other. Get a filter at least one size bigger than the size recommended for your tank size. Being a cold water fish, you won't need a heater - they do well at room temperature. An undergravel filter will also help make the tank more presentable. Water changes of at lest 1/4 the volume of the tank should be done weekly. New water should be close to the temperature already in the tank, and if using water straight from the tap, should have a chlorine/chloramine eliminator. Here aer a few websites with additional info:
http://www.goldfishinfo.com/
http://thegab.org/Articles/GoldfishBasics.html
2007-02-19 12:10:29 · answer #2 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had freshwater aquariums lower back in the 1970s however the 1st time I observed a saltwater aquarium I knew that became into what i wanted. The fish, corals and coralline algae are prettier IMO than what you're able to do with freshwater fish. there is not any answer to the value. If value bothers you do some thing else. the maintenance would be decreased with equipment. I truthfully have equipped an computerized precise off device and calcium reactor to shrink the each and every day chores. that's my 2 cents. sturdy success on the speech.
2016-11-23 19:37:26 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can have equal number of fish inches to the gallon tank. 40 gal=40" of fish. The "fancy" gold fish you are talking about are about 8" mature length, so 5 fish max. Goldfish are dirty and the tank should have 30% of the water removed and replaced every 2 Weeks or so and the glass scrubbed if needed. (More or less cleaning/water replacing as you see how things go.) They are very easy to keep alive but they are dirty. You can mix them up, I would stick to the same size though. They do not need heaters. You can get a tank kit and then add rock, plants etc and should be OK. Then food, cleaning stuff etc. Ask at petco or pet smart. They are really helpful. Good luck!!!!
2007-02-19 12:11:52 · answer #4 · answered by clarkwdoe1 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
2-5 is ok depending on size. Make sure you have a filter that can move 10x the gallons per hour, or 400gph. Don't get any of the nasty chemical mentioned above. Dechlor is all you should have unless the fish actually have an illness.
2007-02-19 13:07:33 · answer #5 · answered by bzzflygirl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
goldfish have the reputation of being dirty because people put them in places too small for them and in general the smaller the space the more cleaning you get to do. a general goldfish rule is 1 goldfish for 10 gallons -- so you get 4. the general thought on mixing fancy goldfish is mix them by their deformities. in other words you can mix telescopes, celestials and bubble eyes. the other types will outcompete thiese for food.
2007-02-19 12:09:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Goldfish are very hardy fish. Yes they dirty up a tank but with proper filters and air it in.t that bad. The pet store can tell you how many and which ones you can put together.With a forty gallon I wouldn't go with more that 25to 30 fish depending on size. you will want a charcoal filter that hangs on the side and maybe even a under gravel filter. you will want plants both a live and plastic and some rocks the can hide in. They also like air bars. Your local pet store will hook you up with everything you will need. Also pick up the book on goldfish.
2007-02-19 12:06:12 · answer #7 · answered by sabledane 2 · 0⤊ 5⤋
That is false, Goldfish are actually very clean fish, all you need to do is buy stuff to protect them
1. ) Stress coat forumula...really cheap
2. ) Fungus Guard
3.) Goldfish life
4.) Stuff to protect them from ick
this should keep ur tank clean, my tank is spotless
2007-02-19 12:03:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋