Advice needed on fancy goldfish size <3

[Shoebox_16]

Hey people.

Some of you have been really helpful so far : )

But of course I have a million other questions...

I have a Black Moor, Calico Fantail & a Black Stripe?

Currently they're 2 - 2 1/2" long, nose to tail.

I was wondering what sizes they're likely to be when fully grown?

Really need to know, as I can't get a really big tank...in fact, if you could tell me the absolute minimum size tank needed for just those 3, and also a tank size with room for some other fish, like tetras or guppies [assuming they would get along OK].

Thanks xxx

 

[Sploke]

I'm not sure what a black stripe goldfish is, but the moor and the fantail should both get softball sized or larger. Depending on the breed of the third, I'd be looking at 55-75 gallons with heavy filtration.

 

[johnhoover]

I'd be interested to see an image of the "black stripe". You could have a naturally colored common or something not even in the carp family.

I'm in agreement with Sploke, from keeping goldfish and growing out koi indoors, you're going to want the largest tank you can afford. If that means using a 120L for a few months before you can afford/find a 200L then that's ok too. I'm a big believer in filtration, and having as much media in the filter as possible. Often with fancies you have to figure out how to ease the water back into the tank, if you never see them under the filter outlet, a piece of filter in the output flow might help. Multiple smaller HOB (hand on back/tank) filters would be fine too if that's what you can afford. I've got an Aquaclear70 on my 110L and either Rena XP3 or Fluval 405 on my 210L tanks. Depending on the temp of the room, you may need to think about a heater.

I'm assuming you're measuring from lip to the end of the last scale. This is the typical way for fancies as you can have short tails or long tails nearly doubling the total length. That would make them good sized juveniles. They could double or better in the next year depending on water quality and food. If you're buying processed food, check the label for grain not being the primary protein source, some goldfish have boyancy problems with too much grain.

I had a paragraph about where to look for tanks, then realized you're in England. Check the local classifieds, local fish store bulliten boards and anywhere else someone might have placed a used tank for sale.

Getting back to your question, for the goldfish, I would say 120L would be ok for a year or so. You're going to need to look for something larger. My 210L tanks with stand has a footprint of 130cm tall and wide and 40cm from the wall. Don't know if that's what you consider a large tank or not.

As for other fish, I've known people keeping other fish with goldies, but I wouldn't recommend it. Normally you don't keep fancies with commons and you don't fantails with celestias. Keeping like swimmers with like swimmers. It would be my opinion that any fish that keeps a territory, will be a bad match and will pick on and worry a fancy to death.

Hopefully I helped a bit. I'll admit that I'm not a goldfish expert, but I've kept them long enough to figure out quite a lot. I'm courious to know what you've got now, you might not really need that much more equipment for keeping happy goldfish.

John.

 

[Shoebox_16]

I have a multitude of problems about massive [and, yes, that's massive to me] tanks...

Firstly, I live in a dorm-like place where I only have a bedroom to myself - though it's big enough for a double with a little room to spare, currently I have a friend crashing at mine.

Secondly, the Landlord has said no pets. Now, I was responsible enough to make sure there is both a reliable friend and family member to care for them in the case I'm not allowed them, but i would love to keep them indefinitely, and the bigger the tank the more likely he is to notice/get annoyed.

Thirdly, not so much a problem, I had never intended to host big fish. I feel completely screwed over by my LFS, who never gave me any advice on adult fish size, and plus they said a 13L tank was big enough for my 3 fancy goldfish. Someone on here said start over completely and keep a few small tropical fish...but I couldn't sell/give away my fishies...I get attached very easily.

I'm currently looking on eBay, and also going back to my LFS purely to look for a bigger tank [not trusting it on any other issue], but although I can afford the upkeep of a very large tank, it's the initial price I will struggle with.

Also, though this may seem very naive, it is a little hard to comprehend 3 fish needing that much space. It's a far cry from the 8L goldfish bowl my friend uses [for his 1 common goldfish].

x

 

[Sploke]

I can't imagine a common goldfish being particularly healthy or happy in a 2 gallon bowl...as they get up to 10-12" with proper care and accommodations. If it is not growing, its stunted and unhealthy, so I wouldn't use that as a baseline for comparison.

 

[Shoebox_16]

Oh I know. He doesn't use a filter/pump...he doesn't even use dechlorinator...

Thanks for the advice, I'm off tank-hunting.

x

 

[Inka4040]

I really have to agree with Sploke on this one, and Johnhoover's suggestion of the 200l tank is really the smallest size that would comfortably house your goldfish as adults. The black stripe to me, sounds like a juvenile who hasn't lost all of its dark baby color yet. Goldfish growth is exceedingly fast when their basic requirements are met, and if properly cared for, and the softball size is actually a good AVERAGE size to plan for. Exceptionally well cared for fancies, and those with the proper genetic potential can easily overcome even that benchmark. As per keeping goldfish with other species, though many will argue to the death that goldfish are extremely adaptable in their temperature requirements, that issue is neither here nor there. The main reason that goldfish should not be kept with other fish is that they are extremely curious, and tend to explore things with their mouths. This precludes any small or pointy fish from their company, and any fish of a good size must be watched very closely to ensure that they are not stressing the goldfish or outcompeting them for food. I understand your anger towards the LFS for giving you false information, but ultimately it rests on your shoulders to go there well informed and not make any rash decisions while in the shop. That said, you're obviously on the right track if you've found you way to AC. If you are unable to provide bigger housing for the fish, unfortunately the best thing you can do is try to return them and find fish more suitable for your small tank.

 

[Sploke]

Couldn't agree more ^

 

[dixienut]

if you dan't want a large tank then you have to take back 2 and keep 1 in a 30long would be minimum, with overkill on filtration, you might get away with a 55 and the first 2 fish with heavy filtering..

they are dirty little buggers, i had 2 orandas in a 30l less than half grown, and one died after a water change i had floating plants and when i refilled the tank, i sprayed the water on the plants accidentaly and that released tons of dissolved poo intothe water and /ammonia spike and he died al within 10 minutes,.. including the 10minutes i had done a 90% water change also but he couldn't recover but the other did,..

 

[goldfishfanatic]

i dont see why 30gallon long would be ok for just 1, i have 2 fancies in my 30long,and they are growing well, they are overfiltered and have weekly 60-70% water changes, but are happy and healthy.