So I found this goldfish in a bag on the ground at the fair like 5 years ago, and he has grown consistently since, and has probably doubled in size. I am wondering what size tank is appropriate for such a big fish? He is in a 20 gallon but he is between 5-6 inches long. He is very active and hardy and never has had any problems. Also I was wondering what I can do for the aquatic plants because I have a hard time keeping them alive. Also curious if theres a way to tell if it’s a boy or girl?
Posted by 5araa
14 Comments
Gonna be completely honest with you, that goldfish needs a pond, he’s eventually going to get so huge, a 90 gallon tank won’t sustain him. Hell, even a 125 gallon won’t.
He needs a pond, there’s no tank big enough for him.
They need a pond… And it should have been moved a long time ago.
Wow, he’s a survivor! My best advice is to repost in the goldfish sub for tank size requirements. The problem you’re having with plants will probably be solved once he moves out. Liquid fertilizers will be your best bet for java fern. You could switch to a planted tank. Remove everything including substrate. Add an inch of aqua soil and top with sand or fine gravel. That will open up a whole new world of stems, crypts, swords and val. You can add floating plants and more epiphytes if you don’t want to fool with your substrate.
oh man… poor guy is living in a closet
Your fish is likely stunted at this point as he should have been moved long ago. There’s a chance that upgrading him and he won’t grow but he might still. The biggest reason to upgrade is water quality, if your not testing your parameters theres a good chance they get pretty gross for him by the time he gets a water change. The reason they need such big tanks is they get big and pollute their water fast. Ideally they need 50 gal min, they are kinda social meaning friends is a good idea, meaning a 100gal tank for 2 is needed. This isnt your fault op, and fairs really need to stop giving moster sized pond fish out. Good luck
It’s a common goldfish, so yea… The bigger the better. At some point, you’re going to run into a problem where a big tank might cost you way more than a small pond. I think something like 125 gal would be good longterm, even better something like a 200+gal pond.
Are you removing the rockwool from the plants? If you don’t, they’ll fail to thrive.
If anyone in your area has a nice pond with fish, they might take him. Nobody with a nice pond has any trouble stocking it, lol. If you want to hang on to him a bit longer, you could consider setting up a “stock tank” type pond. I have a 110gal and it’s very relaxing to sit by. You can hang strawberry baskets or aquatic plant holders off the sides and grow decorative sweet potato vine, etc, while keeping some of the roots safe from the fish. Plus if you ever have to do water changes, the bottom drain on a stock tank makes it super easy.
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend a stock tank indoors though lol. Though you could probably set a glass coffee table top over it and have an okay living room centerpiece. 🙂
😬 whoa….you need a pond…not plants
He makes that 20 gallon look tiny, you could go for a 55 gallon but he may outgrow it fairly quickly at this rate, see what deals are available in stores or what people are getting rid of on marketplace, try to get a wider breeder style tank if possible too.
It may also just be a better option to pick up a 75-100+ gallon Rubbermaid stock tub and make yourself a nice living room pond
If you have a closer clear picture of its front end you can usually tell if it’s a male by the breeding stars/tubercles on their gill plate and front fins
Might need to rehome if you arent down to install a pond 😅 goldfish like that get massive as others have said.
He looks healthy OP, maybe a bit stunted, but healthy enough. He does need more room than this, ideally 12x his body length for room to just move, you’d want longer for him to actually swim in. A 4ft tank is the minimum he should be in right now, like today, not in a week or a month. You really need to go out and get a 75 gallon for the next year, and then upgrade to a 125 for his final indoor tank. He will grow to 10″+ and should be in a pond if you’re in a climate that can handle one. In fact, he should already be 10″ and isn’t because he’s been kept in less than good conditions.
If you have the ability to get a stock tank for your backyard and live somewhere where the weather permits to keep it outdoors that would probably be best. They have Rubbermaid ones that are 300 gallon+ that work really well at tractor supply.
Thank you for saving them, I had a common goldfish that outgrew a 125 gallon when I was younger. I donated him to a huge pond with koi and goldfish already in there. Then you can get something more suited to a 20g, maybe a school of tetras or a betta!