Transfering indoor Goldfish outdoors?

Question

I have a tropical tank, but this question concerns my other tank - a coldwater one with three small Goldfish in. I would guess it was around 5-6 gallons. The fish are not big by any stretch of the imagination but they have all grown since I got them (one fish is 2 years old, the others are nearly a year old) and therefore have out grown the tank.

Now, here is the question. Out in my back yard I have one of those wooden pond things (not an in ground one) that holds I would say a good 20 gallons, if not more. If I got a liner for the pond, filled the bottom with gravel and purchased some plants, could I transfer my indoor fish outdoors?

Would that work? could my fish cope with the changes in weather/water temperature and lack of filtration? would I need to add any conditioners to the water?

I want to move them into a bigger space ASAP but I am really not sure of how to go about it and whether it is a safe idea or not, considering that they have been in a tank inside?

Answer 1

If they haven't grown that much, it is likely that they are permanently stunted. This means they will live a drastically shortened life and not grow much either. If it is a Common Goldfish, 20 gallons isn't big enough, Goldfish get up to 2 feet long and need monster tanks. Also, you will still have to condition the water. We have raccoons near us and they go pond fishing too. They recently pulled a 20 pound Koi out of the water, so a mesh cover might be a good idea.

Nosoop4u

Answer 2

The wooden pond would be great with a lining however if it is not in the ground, they will not survive the winter, since the entire pond will freeze solid. If you are planning on getting a larger pond (in the ground) or a larger tank to bring them in in the winter, they should not go outside.

The weather will not harm your fish until the temps drop below 50 which is when they start their hybernation. Yes you have to add water conditioner as well.

Once your wooden pond has cycled, you can just float your fish as if they just came from the store either in baggies or a tupperwear bowl. Allow the bag to float for 1/2 hour then add about 1/4-1/2 cup of the new pond water to the bag and let it float for 15-20 min. Add another 1/2 cup of water and let it float. Do this a minimum of 4 times. This will allow your fish to adjust to the water and the PH. The adjustment won't hurt them neither will the fact there is no filter however a pump with some type of waterfall would be great for the dissolved O2.

I would consider however finding a larger pond for the winter, also you will be suprised how quickly they are going to grow.

Answer 3

Hi JJ, In theory, yes they would cope ok with the change from indoors to out but further to what Bonsylar said about the dangers of predation there are several experienced ponders on my forum who have had losses & that is using some of the most up to date deterrents known. Personally I would never risk the lives of my fish in a pond even if I had one. Coupled with the fact that where they are going is only 20 gallons I think your Goldfish will be much happier if you are prepared to get them a larger tank & keep them indoors & a lot safer. A 40 gallon long is a reasonable size for 3 small Goldfish giving them several years worth of growth before you need to think about upgrading again.

This size & type of tank is ideal for non-fancy Goldfish such as Commons or Comets which I assume yours are because although it holds a lot of water it is relatively shallow but has a long length of swimming area. Also a good size of tank if you only have a small area available-approx 4 foot by 15".

Answer 4

They might survive... goldfish are fairly hard to kill.

BUT if you live in the south, the water might be too warm for them outside. With goldfish, you have to worry about them being too warm a lot more then being too cold.

If you care about them, then I would not do it... but if you wont be upset if they croak... go for it. And in either case, capture them and some water from the current tank in a ZIP-LOC bag and float the bad in the pond outside so the water slowly becomes the temperature of the pond, then let them out... otherwise the temp. difference will kill them.

Answer 5

For the temperature changes
Handle it just like you would getting new fish. Bag them up in Ziplock bags and float them in the pond.

They should be just fine.

The biggest threat are predators. Cats, birds, and other wildlife (cities are teaming with wildlife now, make no mistake) 'possums, racoons, dogs all will happily catch and eat your fish. Consider a cover at night.

Answer 6

i did it and you should be fine, except my could barely move in the 10 gal i had for them (there were 5, all about 5-3 inches and approxamatly 4 y/o i got them all about the same time) and we were on the verge of putting them in th river where my grandpa got a new pond and we plopped them in there and they are doing fine about a year later!!!

:P