How many fish can live in my tank?

so you first question was how many fish can you fit. You seem to like goldies but I have to say I think they're a poor choice for a hex. Those kinda of tanks are hard because most fish like to swim horizontally more than vertically. I would say 1 big angel would look great in it, then a school of like 8-10 tetras. Something medium...not so small to get eaten and not so big that the tank feels cramped to them. Then have fun on the bottom with a pair of rams or something like that. a small group of cories would work too.

I wanted to try with things like the Orandas, Ranchu, Lionhead, Black Moor and maybe a Ryukin. I really do like fancy goldies, I really wanted a koi pond but just don't have the room for one.
 
Leigh, I am moving this in Coldwater section for you so you will get much better responses from the coldwater enthusiasts themselves.:thumbsup:

Just to take a shot here, I'd like to compliment you for planning a 55g or 75g in October and rehoming the comet.:thumbsup: That's two months and should have enough time for your fish to grow a little more bulk before moving them in another tank. Pick the 75g. A 75g has more floor space than a 55g and it doesn't hurt to shell out a few more bucks to obtain the 75g.

If you want to grow a few goldfish temporarily in the octagon tank, stick to two fancy goldfish only until you get your tanks sorted. Please remember fancy goldfish may be smaller than the pond types such as comets but they also build up more bulk. A 75g should fit at least 4-5 fancy goldfish or 3-4 for a 55g. Ryukins are unsurprisingly big and also one of the feistiest fancy variants so this will limit your choices to orandas, ranchus, lionheads, fantails and demekins/black moors.

I would not recommend getting tikus pearlscales, crown pearlscales, tosakins, bubble eyes and celestials if you want to keep the ryukins. These fancy strains are very poor swimmers and tend to be outcompeted easily for food.

As for the food, I already posted it in your other thread however if you have any more questions about it, please do not hesitate to ask them here.
 
Double thanks Lupin! :D

My current Ryukin is my largest fish in my tank, his about two inch body and another two with his tail. He had a tank mate, a Calico goldfish around the same size as him, but it died overnight and I still have no clue why. But I will be calling tomorrow around town to see what sort of the stocks in tanks and fish the fish stores have around here.

I think last time I checked though all they had were Oranda, Lionhead, Fantail and Black moor.

I have a soft spot for those puggy faces :o

I think the only question I have is that I'm a little confused when it comes to the filters. I'm trying to see how much I will need in saving for everything I need for my tank and a few things I'm stuck on. What sort of filter I need? Since goldies are very messy. I'm clueless with lights, and then trying to figure out how much gravel I will need.
 
Hi Leigh,

The filtration has been discussed here so we won't have to repeat everything that has been said.
Filtration questions.

Regarding the substrate, I am opposed to using gravel. I used gravel to the point I became very frustrated in vacuuming it constantly around as it kept trapping more wastes than I anticipated. Fine gravel perhaps may be your best bet or stick to sand. I used sand in a few of my tanks and my goldfish never had issues with sand at all as the poop is lighter than sand thus making it easier for me to clean them up quickly.

Gravel on the other hand, traps a lot of wastes which is wheremy frustration began. I tend to feed my goldfish small meals multiple times a day which also calls for several vacuuming to keep the wastes from accummulating rather quickly and fouling the water.

If you plan to keep gravel or sand, stick to at least one inch thickness if you don't want plants that need to be rooted to the bottom otherwise go for 1.5 inch if you wish to keep plants. Vallisneria, cryptocoryne, echinodorus, Java ferns, anubias and melon swords seem to work well with fancy goldfish but do not expect the finer and softer ones to survive well with these fish particularly pennyworts and Egeria densa.

My main goldfish tanks currently are barebottom although the plants are placed in containers with gravel to keep them in their place. This keeps my tanks looking very neat without the wastes wading across the bottom.

The choice is really yours. I am beginning to appreciate barebottom setups more and have made my life easier for me. You will find a few other goldfish enthusiasts also keep their tanks barebottom with decorative vases and porcelain mugs or pots to place the plants in along with fancy marbles and other decorative objects that strike their fancy. It isn't really natural but it really makes a big difference in maintenance (although again this is basically preference).

As for lighting, do you plan to keep plants at all? If not, you do not have to worry much about the lighting. It is not really all that necessary and I use the daylight tube for my own setups along with a black background as a contrast to the outlook.

Lupes
 
I kinda agree on the gravel, I can't get rid of all these little worm things :irked:

Is there a certain sand? I know that there is the kind for saltwater tanks, would this work?

I don't want any plants in my tank (real ones at least), I'm like my mom and can hardly keep a ivy alive. I was thinking about a bare bottom sort of set up since it would be easier to clean. would it disturb the fishes too much if I went bare bottom first and if it doesn't work, add the sand (removing them from the tank of course and letting it clear up)?
 
Pool silica sand works well but you could go with barebottom setup first if you want to try it. Removing the substrate if you change your mind, is quite a pain. I removed the gravel while the goldies are still in the tank but everything went well without any issues in my experience.

The detritus worms and planaria are a result of overfeeding. Yes, it just occurred to me your other thread mentioned this issue. Only way to eliminate them completely is by cutting back severely on the food and doing more vacuuming to remove them, wastes and food leftovers all together.

The ryukin will not shy away if you strip the tank bare of its substrate as it has grown already established in your octagon tank but newer fish tend to cower in my experience which of course, is quite understandable. My black ranchu went to the lower corner moodily after I removed him from my quarantine tank but the orandas managed to coax him to follow them in the open. He now happily swims in the open with several larger tankmates. He is the tiniest of the group.
 
I think I will try the bare bottom first (will help me save a little on money), and keep vacuuming the gravel in my octagon tank. Its a nice looking tank but I can't wait for my new tank xD it will be so much easier to clean for the simple fact that I won't have to get on a little step stool to clean it.


So I have fit probably 4-5 goldies in a 75 gal tank, yes? So thats my Ryukin, a Oranda, Ranchu(if I can find one), Lionhead, and a Fantail...and I might throw in a Calico because I miss my last one. He was so pretty he had a mostly black and white pattern. I'm trying to avoid doubling up on the same kind of fish...I don't really want babies then I would be a protective hen over them and freak out over everything.
 
Ok so I think I know what I need for my new set up. Correct me or mention something if I forgot something.

2x Marineland Emperor 400
Air pump (have it already)
Air Stone (have it already)
Master Test kit (since mine is running out)
Large net
Thermometer
Some fake plants
75 gal. Tank (which will come with the hood and lights)

Optional things
Gravel/sand
Background
Heater (I wasn't sure if I needed this)

All around from my estimating I'm looking at around $450

Any suggestions/changes?
 
You realize the different "kinds" of goldfish can crossbreed, right? :grinno:

:thud: <~~my exact reaction.

Oh dear....I think I'll pick up a extra little 10gal. tank just in case.

or one of those baby tanks you can put into the big tanks.
 
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