POLL: If you had goldfish in less than 10 gallons of water?

Question

What kind of tank did you have them in and how long did they live?

I'm not asking for what they NEED. I'm asking for personal experiences with <10-gallon tanks. Thanks.

Answer 1

My first four goldfish (received at a department store grand opening as a promotion) lived in a 1/2 gallon acrylic tank my mother bought in the store that day as a place for me to keep them (I should note I was 5 at the time and neither one of us knew anything about fish). No filter or anything other than some gravel at the bottom.

I remember I had to change their water (100% change) twice a week. I also remember doing the water changes by putting new water in a coffee can and adding a dechlorinator. I was told not to use water that was cold, that it was bad for the fish, but to use warm water . Not knowing this meant room temperature, I ran both hot and cold and made sure it was warm to the touch (probably 85o+).

I don't remember how long some of the fish lived (all were eventual jumpers that met an untimely end on the dining room carpet). But the last one made it nine months from the time I got him despite the quality of my "care".

My next pair, when I was considerably older (and better informed) were in a 20 gallon tank with a filter - these made it 9 and 10 years.

Answer 2

When I won my 3 goldfish from a fair I was really dehydrated and barely made it back to my house so that night I kept them in a 1 gallon bowl until the next day, I was actually very surprised they were still alive. They are now in much bigger tanks and in a couple weeks I will of had them for 3 years.

Unless you do daily water changes you will not be able to have healthy thriving (not just surviving) goldfish in something smaller then a 10 gallon tank, they not only grow large but they are very messy. Properly cared for goldfish can live for more then 20 years and people who think that having a goldfish live for a year or 2 in a tiny tank is an accomplishment should really do some research.

Answer 3

Betas are bigger than goldfish? Maybe when the goldfish are baby's, but they grow, comets (which are often sold as feeders) get to be 24 inches. All other goldfish species get very large too give the right amount of space (20 gallons is a minimum). Betta's stay small and are able to live out there whole life in just 5 gallons comfortably. I think you need to do a little more research on these fish.

Answer 4

I had a fancy in a ten gallon. I dont think it lasted very long. I know ive had multiple black moors too. I quit the fishkeeping hobby for a while cause I was like six and couldnt deal with fish dying all teh time. November I bought a ten gallon, got some gups, they died, and now I have swordtails who are now moving into a 40 gallon once it is cycled.

Id like to keep goldfish again, but nothing less than a 29 gallon tank

Answer 5

I' ve had my common goldfish for 3 months in a 2 liter bowl.
I got it as a gift and knew nothing about fishkeeping. Then I trusted the pet store employees and moved it with an oranda calico in an 20 liter tank (filter and airpump). They live there for 2 months now. Seem very happy and active but spending quite a time at the surface gasping for air. Then I discovered yahoo answers.... Tomorrow they will move, again, in an 60 liter tank. Hopefully they live there very very happy for a very very long time :)

Answer 6

Goldfish should live 25 years.They should NEVER be kept in any aquarium smaller than 30 gallons(114 liters). And a 30 gallon would only be suitable for 2 or 3 years.

Answer 7

My Comet's organs got too big for his body and he died in a 10 gallon tank. That's what happens!


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Answer 8

I had goldfish in a 5 gallon aquarium. I don't remember how long exactly they lived. My sister had one in a three gallon for about a year, I think.

Answer 9

I had two little common goldfish (sold as feeders) in a six gallon filtered tank. They lived over a year until I introduced a third fish (a bottom feeder to help keep it clean because goldfish produce a lot of waste) that turned out to be diseased.

This was my tank: http://www.petco.com/Shop/petco_Product_R_3068_PC_productlist_Nav_217_rpp_51_N_24+115_sku_591149_familyID_2398.aspx?Ns=P_Price%7c0

Answer 10

I have two goldfish(small) in a 3.5 gallon tank. It is almost one year now, they are happy, very active and disease free.