Goldfish vs. Cichlids

dhanks

AC Members
Jul 29, 2009
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I've heard for years that Goldfish require more maintenance than cichlids. And I've also heard that you can't have anything with Goldfish.

Today I was at the local pet store. The guy told me that with good filtration, Goldvish do not require that much more maintenance. And, that I can have snails, frogs, and a bottom feeder to boot.

What is the real deal? I know everyone has an opinion. But I'm trying to learn as much as I can before making the decision to re-stock my tank with male peacock cichlids or ryukin goldfish.

Thanks for any help!!
 
The tank is 90gal. I have an over the back filter that currently runs. I also have a cannister filter that I can use if needed. I have two air bars, which I'm told may not be neede?

I use a Python thing to change the water and clean the gravel. But with my cichlids I didn't have to do it as often as I may with goldfish.

What does "different" setups mean?

Also, given that goldfish grow large, how many would you recommend starting with?
 
I'll take Cichlids by 10 -- better running game and run-defense. :silly:
 
Five would be a good number IMO, and you should aim for 2-3 times the tank volume for filtration. IE, a filter rated for 180-270 gallons.

Kristina
 
Is the filter rating the same if I use both the HOB and Cannister together? I don't remember what they were rated when I bought them. Perhaps I should purchase new if I choose the goldfish?
 
What brand/model are they? And yes, you can use more than one filter, I have 4 on my 80 gal, lol.

Kristina
 
:welcome: to AC, Dhanks!

Goldfish aren't difficult at all. For fancy types, you could aim for 10-15g per fish but it depends on the variants you hope to keep as some fancy strains grow larger than the other. It's not unheard of to hear ryukins reaching 8-10 inches so I would aim for at least 4-5 for a 90g. Ryukins are almost similar to fantails. The only difference observed is ryukins have a more pronounced hump, taller tails (there are four types identified) and taller body. Ryukins usually are more expensive than the fantails (which are a mixed selection of several variants) but some stores often sell their "fantails" as "ryukins", something you need to be aware of.

I keep four ryukins myself and they tend to be pushovers during feeding time bowling over my orandas and lionhead as they went for the gel foods and pellets. I prefer Hikari Lionhead of all the pellet brands I have reviewed. Hikari Oranda Gold also works but as it is floating, I prefer not to risk floating foods to ryukins especially as ryukins already have greatly compressed internal organs, thanks to selective breeding. Avoid foods that basically contain too much starch-based ingredients as the starch has also been known to be responsible for the floaty issues considering they produce gas when they are digested by the bacteria lining the digestive organs of the fish. Other foods you could consider are plants, mosquito larva, tubifex worms, bloodworms, krills, etc.

As for filtration, my submersible pump connecting to the filter has 6-7 times the turnover rate to the water volume. All I place in there are sponges and filter flosses to help remove the particles that cloud the water. My tank is barebottom to help make my maintenance much easier. I used gravel previously but decided to call it quits after finding it increasingly becoming a pain for me to vacuum around. Your other alternative is sand. Sand is much easier to clean as the wastes stay visible above the sand thus making it easier to clean them up.

It would be a good idea if you treat your new goldfish with praziquantel by Prazipro or Droncit as flukes are a very common occurrence with goldfish. Only microscopes can help you determine whether your fish has flukes by doing gill and skin scrapes. Fortunately, praziquantel is a very mild treatment even though it is powerful enough to destroy most parasites so it's not really a harm or loss to treat the goldfish with praziquantel, whether you suspect flukes or not. Any incoming new arrivals should be quarantined first before introducing to the 90g with the exception of the first batch of goldfish going to the main tank. Treat the newer ones with praziquantel to protect your current stocks.

Hope this helps!
 
:iagree:

goldfish dont necessarily need more filtration (ok, well more efficient filtration), or more maintenance, they just need more space. fish keepers often fail to keep goldfish for their entire 20 year lifespans because they do not give the fish enough space, and the fish outgrow their environments and as a result more maintenance and filtration is required. this extra work is not often picked up by the fishkeeper, and the tank starts to deteriorate in health.

not knowing the models of your filters, it is hard to say if they are adequate for filtration for either type of fish.

your tank could comfortably hold 6 or so peacocks
 
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