My cousin has a 2.5 gallon tank with two adult size goldfish in it. She used to have a betta, that's how she got the tank, but the betta died so she got two adult goldfish. I think they are lionheads. I told her the tank is too small but she just won't listen until she has proof. Can anyone back me up here?? That would be very much appreciated!! She is actually next to me right now.
2007-08-15 14:34:14 · 6 answers · asked by Ian A 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
I have exactly 1 year and 8 months experience with freshwater fish and I have to tell your cousin that she is about to get proof she wants in a harsh way.
A goldfish can between 6" to 1' long in size thus requiring a 30-gallon tank. Each additional goldfish requires an extra 10-gallons in tank size. Since she has two, she will need a 40-gallon tank.
A goldfish can produce so much waste than any other fish that it will cause her ammonia levels for her mere 2.5-gallon tank and you will seriously risk killing your fish - not to mention those daily tank cleanings.
Get a bigger tank, cousin.
2007-08-15 15:21:07 · answer #1 · answered by NCConfederate13 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A 2.5 gallon tank is way too small for even 1 goldfish to be happy in for any length of time ! Goldfish get large (even if they are in a small tank) and they are very messy fish (they produce A LOT of waste). Not only will the fish not have enough room to move in , the build up of waste is toxic and will kill the fish. Please upgrade to at least a 10 gallon if you don't have much space or money. Make sure to do a water change of at least 30% weekly and don't overfeed them, and they will be with you for a long time. Good luck !
2007-08-15 21:44:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
2 goldfish in a 2.5 gallon tank is like fitting two people in a 1 person toilet stall with no ventilation. That's too little. Goldfish need way more room than that, no matter what kind of goldfish they are. They need at least 60 gallons or a pond! Those fish will be dead pretty soon unless you move them. Plus with the amount of waste they produce, it's like guaranteed death for them.
2007-08-15 21:46:53 · answer #3 · answered by kribsandcons 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hi Ian you are 100% right a 2.5 gallon fish tank IS NOT big enough for 2 adult size Goldfish please tell her to get at least a 10 gallon tank , they do not coast much.
2007-08-15 21:43:46 · answer #4 · answered by Hmmm... 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
certain kinds of fish need more water than others.
Koi need 1000 gallons for the first fish, then 100 gallons for each additional.
Gold fish are the hardiest fish that I know of. but the small size of the aquarium this one being 2.5 gallons means that the water quality will quickly spoil. un-eaten food and feces and other fish waste turns into ammonia. An ammonia is a fish #1 killer.
As long as your cousin is doing regular water changes, they will be OK. by regular I mean regular, she will have to change the water once a week, 30% of it with treated water. Never use water straight from the tap.
For the speices of fish that I keep I use the rule of thumb of 10 gallons of water for every one inch of fish.
Good luck in orienting her.
If she where to get a bigger tank then water changes dont have to happen so frequent. I do my water changes once a month.
2007-08-15 21:55:19 · answer #5 · answered by mixmaster2 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
oh yes I can back you up
Here is a basic caresheet for goldfish
http://www.firsttankguide.net/goldfish.php
Give her that to read
Hope that helps
good luck
EB
for live help follow the link in my profile
2007-08-16 01:27:05 · answer #6 · answered by Kribensis lover 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋