Goldfish

[kimsgerbils]

I have 4 comet goldfish all living nicely in a 10 gallon tank. They are all about 2 years old and doing fine. I keep the tank algae free and clean the filters regularly and do monthly water changes. The only thing is, I never stirred the gravel until recently. It was so bad it filled the whole tank with extra food and excrement that you couldn't see fish. I took out all the plants and rock so it is easier to clean and added another filter on the tank. They don't really seem to mind. I have gone through so many filters in the last couple days. Any other kind of fish that might be able to live with a goldfish? I know they produce tons of amonia though, would snails work? What kinds of snails aren't both sexes. I wouldn't want the ones that just miraculously have babies all the time, I would want one that doesn't breed asexually.

[Pippin]

2 year old comets? Wow, they must be a foot long by now! If they aren't then you know they are overcrowded and stunted by toxins.

By removing the gravel and switching around filters you are probably going through a new cycle. Do you know the cycle that aquariums have to go through? You can put gravel back in, just use a gravel siphon to clean the tank. Monthly water changes? Do weekly at least. Buy a test kit, you might be surprised at the ammount of ammonia that is burning your fishes gills. Sorry if I come off a little harsh, but sometimes you have to be blunt. :rolleyes:

[kimsgerbils]

They are only 4-6 inches long. I guess they are only a year and a half. When I got them they were an inch. I check water amonia and it isn't very high. I just filtered all the gravel and replaced filters and cleaned plants. They will be fine until we eventually get them pond.

[kimsgerbils]

Should I put them in my 29 gallon tank? I bought a 29 gallon with all the fish supplies but have been using it for other small critters. When they are gone I will set it up for my goldies.

[Pippin]

What is in the 29 now? You will want to clean it really, really good. And that will only be ok for a short time. They need a pond as soon as you can. Is it going to be an indoor pond? Im thinking it would be hard to do an outdoor one in Alaska, lol. But an indoor one would be wicked cool.

[kimsgerbils]

Gerbils in the 29 gallon. What do you mean "for a short time"? That is the largest I could get. I can't have an indoor pond, no room. They would be stuck in the 29 gallon for a couple years, but think, isn't it better than a ten gallon for a couple more years?

[scoupeslave]

i would say that the 29 gallon is a huge difference from the 10 gallon. i have a comet and a fancy goldfish in a 3.5 gallon and they do just fine!

[erk75]

goldfish can't live in aquariums forever, just the first year or so. they do need a pond as they grow up a lot. otherwise it means stunted growth, rachitism, and after a while a (long or a short while, it doesn't matter) death.
goldfish are definitely pond fish.

[Blue Merle]

Goldfish get to the minimum of 8 inches. They have a double slime coat, unlike other fish which can be potentially harmful to other fish. Erk is right, they shouldnt be put into an aquarium, they are 1. The dirtiest fish you could possibly own, and 2. Large.