OK- we acquired "Sparkle" at a school carnival a year and a half ago and she has gotten quite large! I know I need a bigger tank but am not sure what size. Also, I am concerned about the floor tanks as I have 2 rambunctous labs! My husband keeps saying to donate her(?) to a pond but I love her~ even if she is a fish! Any recommendations? Also, she doesn't seem lonely but I keep reading they are very social- should I invest in a buddy? The last buddy she had- also acquired at the school carmival but killed off by DH (long story)- didn't seem to like her and just kinda floated above her so she couldn't swim around. She was actually more active after Dash died. Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Thanks!
2007-02-24 04:16:45 · 4 answers · asked by Becky K 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
You most likely have a common or a comet goldfish. Commons have a short tails while comets have a much longer flowing tail, although it could be a shubunkin, which will have black spots in addition to orange and/or red and/or gold and white, also referred to as "calico." These fish can easily grow 12" to 14" long in aquarium settings and, in order to grow in a happy and healthy manner, need to be given about 40 gallons of water minimum per fish. You are right in that they are very social fish and love to have companions. The incompatibility you mentioned when you added the second fish may have come from a lack of space, overcrowding, that led to unhealthy water conditions and just simply the fish fighting for its space. We, as humans, would not like being locked in a closet with another person and expected to get along. A larger space would most likely assure compatibility. Thus, this means, that for one fish, you need to have a 40 gallon tank minimum, and for two, an 80 gallon tank minimum. Aside from the space these larger tanks take up, the maintenance and care is really no different, however, if this is not something your husband wants to do, just as with any pet, interview the people you intend to give your pet away to to make sure that they can provide a happy, healthy environment.
2007-02-24 06:22:34 · answer #1 · answered by Venice Girl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most likely you have a common goldfish or comet. Those can easily hit 18" or more in a pond or in the wild but usually about 12 -14" in a tank. You would need something on the order of a 90 gallon tank for one to be comfortable in the long run. If you need to donate it to a pond environment, please check with a few local pet shops as a local ornamental pond owner may be very happy to get a large goldfish as an addition to a pond and you would know it would be well cared for. Adding it to a pond without the owners knowledge isn't a very good idea.
MM
2007-02-24 12:24:06 · answer #2 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Common GF can reach 10 to 12 inches. They do like the company of other GF. Next time quarintine the new one for a month before releasing into the big tank. Keep your fish.if you love her. Get a bigger tank if you can.
2007-02-28 10:08:50 · answer #3 · answered by Sunday P 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most type of goldfish can actually reach up to 20" long if they live long enough, and no the enviroment doesnt limit the size of the fish just like your shoes dont limit the size of your feet the general rule of thumb is one inch of fish per gallon of water in the tank
2007-02-24 12:22:20 · answer #4 · answered by Mark S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋