Tips for buying a new fish tank -- goldfish are getting big?

Question

I have a couple goldfish, both are two years old. They've been in an old ten gallon tank since I brought them home. (I've never owned goldfish before, so I had noooo idea how fast they grow.) They were tiny, tiny things when I got them, but now they're getting...eh...big. One is about five and a half inches long, the other closer to six and a half. They're both male. I'm crazy about keeping the water healthy for them, so they're both doing pretty well, I guess, despite the tiny living space -- they've never been sick. But I know that it won't be that way forever. They definitely need more room. Problem is, there are a LOT of tanks out there. All sorts of shapes and sizes. What should I be looking for in terms of wide vs. tall, number of gallons, etc.? I want the tank to be big enough so I don't have to upgrade for a good number of years. Maybe enough to introduce a third fish, too. I've got a Sol and a Sirius, maybe there should be a Luna, haha.

Hmm...they look more like comets than anything, I guess. Their fins aren't too insanely long, but not the stubby fins of a common, for sure. Odd as I got them from a common goldfish tank. And each from different stores. Haha.

Okay...thanks... A pond would be nice, but there are too many magpies and ducks around here. I'm afraid they'd get eaten. Looking at the websites of the stores around here, it looks like the largest tank I'll be able to find is a 50 gallon.

Answer 1

good idea for upgrading (
do you know what type of goldfish they are? we can help you a lot better if you can let us know, try going to this site and picking out which your fish are most like...
http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/ftypes.html

different types of goldfish need different tank sizes, and some make better tank mates for some types, so letting us know hat they are will really help!

*edit*
alright... comets get really big, like 12"-18" isn't uncommon at all. you should look inot nothing under and 80gallon, and something that is as wide and long as possible, height is not nearly as important. really comets are pond fish, so even an 80gallon is kinda tight, but you seem dedicated to keeping he tank clean and such so I think you can manage.

Answer 2

Those people who use the inch rule have no common sense -- if you are talking about one fish, that means they will be the exact length of the tank typically, and obviously they can't survive that way. Good job in taking care of these goldfish, they are growing despite the size. For two fish, depending on what type of goldfish, I would get at least a 28 gallon for fancy goldfish and prefarably more, and probably at least a 40 or 55 gallon for regular goldfish. Koi get much larger and generally need ponds. good luck!
** and for those who think that fish will only grow to the size of the tank, that is not true and makes no sense -- they only stop growing because they can't anymore, just as if I locked a baby inside of a box, they also would die early and stop growing.

Answer 3

58 gallons. Goldfish need at LEAST 29 gallons because they are VERY messy fish and will pollute the tank, fast if living in an any smaller tank. The smallest a single goldfish could live in is about a 25-26 gallon but even that is a little risky.

Answer 4

In my opinion long and low is almost always better than tall. All the more surface area to work with means all the more gas exchange. For your two I would suggest a 30 gallon (assuming they are fancy goldfish that is). If you want room for another later, jump up to a 55. If they are fancy goldfish, that will hold they for the rest of their lives. If they are common goldfish or comets, you might be thinking about a 200 gallon or a wading pool... those guys can easily exceed a foot and usually 16" in a pond.

MM

Answer 5

First off do not go by the 1 inch rule it isn't accurate especially with gold fish.

A 20 gallon will be fine a 30 better with room for perhaps another one in the future.

I don't know what Kind of fish you have so it is difficult to determine how large they have the ability to grow.

You do not want to go with a tall tank. Really these tanks are not good for keeping any type of fish but seahorses. Goldfish especially need lots of dissolved oxygen. A tank with more surface area allows the tank to transfer more dissolved oxygen to the tank itself. A regular 20 or 30 gallon long would be perfect for your fish.

It is good you were thinking about the welfare of your fish.

Answer 6

being a goldie owner and breeder i would say get a 55 gallon tank. this will support 3 large goldies. you can find good deals at walmart,petsmart,or pet super market. these places will have everything you need for the tank except the gravel of course. remember goldies are coldwater fish so dont worry about buying a heater either. if you need other help you can always email me id love to help you!..jewels EDIT.. never keep koi in a tank they belong in a pond. what kind of goldies do u have?

Answer 7

They only grow bigger when you feed them more and then give them more space. If you wanted them big, then you did good. If not, then you made a mistake. Also when you feed them too much, they can die. Yes, they will eat until they die.

Answer 8

you should get a gallon of tank for every inch of fish. so if your one fish is about 5 inches long, you should get a 5 gallon tank. but if you have two fish that are both 5 inches long, you should get a 10 gallon tank (5 gallons for each of them).