Will a small tank stunt the growth of a Black Moor Goldfish?

Question

I bought a Black Moor Goldfish this past March from Petsmart and placed it in a 2 gallon Spongebob Tank I also purchased there. I love Spongebob! :P I realize this tank is small, but I figured for the time being, it would suffice. My fish (Phisher :)) has since grown bigger and I am going to upgrade his tank soon. I am worried that even with a larger tank, he might not grow, because he has been in the small one since March. I know many fish grow to their environment. I asked an associate at Petsmart, who told me it was alright since I hadn't had the fish very long ... But I wanted to see if anyone had more input! Also, Does anyone know how to tell gender on this species? Thankyou so much!! :D

Answer 1

Yes, a small tank will stunt his growth if he's in it for any real length of time. You haven't had him in the tank long enough for it to be a problem, so as long as you move him very soon he will still grow into a normal sized and fully healthy fish. Black Moors, like most fancy goldfish, reach about 10" total length (that includes the tail) so a 20 gallon tank will be a wonderful home for a single goldfish plus a bottom feeder or two. Sexing goldfish is very difficult at best and you won't have any luck at all until he's around 2 years old.

MM

Answer 2

Good grief! Of course that will! Black moores get eight inches long! No fish should be in that tiny tank. Take that poor fish back, and get a small molly. And stop relying on minimum wage employees for your fish expertise, why would they work there if they had all this knowledge? Don't be silly about not growing when he gets a larger tank, of course he will grow! It takes a few years for goldies to grow, and sooner he gets into a bigger tank the better. Stop making excuses and please help this poor fish. A min 20 gallon, whcih cost about the same as 10 gallon, is best if you truly care about this fishy. They get super cute. But balloon mollies are another fish you can get if you want teeny tiny (a 2 gallon for them would still be cruel)

PS, gold fish DO NOT grow to the size of tank. They do that because they die young if they are stinted, it is not true growing to the size of the tank, and has to be painful. good luck!

Answer 3

Goldfish are one of the few types of fish who will continue to grow for as long as they can, depending on the space that they are provided with. Any goldfish should be in a tank of at least 10 gallons, and this is just to start out with. You should upgrade to a 29 gallon tank at some point. Two gallons is definitely too small.

Answer 4

Yes, it is too small. Those fish can grow to be over 8" each. The 2-5 gallon tank would be too small for one of them to even turn around. Your best option is to take the goldfish back to the fish store and trade them in for something else. That, or get a bigger tank. You will need at least a 30 gallon for ONE of the two fish.

Answer 5

Goldfish need a minimum of 30 gallons for first fish and then 10 gallons for each additional goldfish. That tank is way to small for your fish, and his life will be shortend because of it. Goldfish can live 20 years if in a proper size tank. That tank you bought would be perfect for a betta though.

Answer 6

A small tank will stunt any fish's growth. I'd suggest at least a 10 gallon tank for any type of goldfish.

It is almost impossible to tell the gender of any goldfish until they are ready to breed (which is also quite hard).

~ZTM

Answer 7

black moor goldfish like all fancy goldfish will reach over 12 inches, so consider a 55 gallon.

Yes they will get stunted in only 2 gallons, but if your going to upgrade, it will grow.

The best thing to do is get a 55 gallon, prehaps a friend for him and a canister flter.

To sex goldfish, around the breeding season, males will grow little bumps on their gill plates and the petoral fins, and these are called tubericles. Females are fatter and lack these bumps.

Answer 8

if you put fish in a larger tank I guarantee you it will grow more...maybe not much but fish grow to the size of the enviroment they are put in, plus I sure the fish will be happier too.

Answer 9

No! The fish have their own growth limits.

Answer 10

yea.