Okay to add more fish?

DC1 · 07-18-2008, 09:38 PM

Alright, I've got a 20 gallon tank at the moment (may be upgrading to 50 here soon) and it currently has three goldfish. Keep in mind I'm not an expert whatsoever so one began as a 33 cent walmart goldfish, another that was also a 33 cent goldfish but looks different body-wise than the first, and a fantail. They've been going strong for a couple years and have grown well. Now that we're upgrading the tank we're considering adding one or two fish.

My question is this, I'm a little confused about what is a good idea vs. a bad idea. Is it a bad move to get little ones - should I get goldfish that are closer to the size of these guys? I never knew if the ones I have might become violent to new, smaller ones.

Basically I just don't want to risk messing something up, my fish have been chilling happily for quite a while. What's the best way to add a couple fish?

trashion · 07-18-2008, 09:49 PM

My advice: Don't. You're waaay over the limit for a 20 gallon with 3 goldies. The two 33 cent fish are comet goldfish, which should reach over a foot. The fantail, IMO, needs a 29 to ITSELF. Comets really should be in a pond, or at least a LARGE tank. Keep up heavy water changes, but if I were you I'd look into a large tank or pond in the near future. Sorry!

DC1 · 07-18-2008, 09:59 PM

Okay, so you're saying even if I upgrade to the 50 gallon tank, my three is still too many.

trashion · 07-18-2008, 10:02 PM

In my opinion, yeah. For comets. If you traded the two comets for 2 fancies, they'd be fine in a 50 gallon.

COM · 07-19-2008, 08:23 AM

You can get away with your current fish and a few others for a few years in a 55 gallon with heavy filtration. You can probably get a new 55 gallon inexpensively at Wal-Mart or used on Craigslist. Get a big canister filter or two or a couple of Emperor 400s.

Julie makes a good suggestion about trading to fancies. If you pick some wide-bodied fancies (except certain Ryukins) you can keep 6 or so in a 55 gallon tank with no problem. The trouble is that the feeder variety (the cheapies at Wal-Mart) don't usually go for much even when they're big, so there isn't much trade value. You are in luck that is the summer time and people are buying more fish for their ponds, so that may aid you in getting some more cash for your current fish if you decide to trade.

Overall, the fish that you have now are already too big for a 20 gallon tank, but you're on the right path by considering upgrading the tank. Goldfish are a very enjoyable pet that can live for decades if properly cared for; it is worth the investment in a bigger tank.

07-18-2008, 09:38 PM	#1
DC1 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 7	Okay to add more fish? Alright, I've got a 20 gallon tank at the moment (may be upgrading to 50 here soon) and it currently has three goldfish. Keep in mind I'm not an expert whatsoever so one began as a 33 cent walmart goldfish, another that was also a 33 cent goldfish but looks different body-wise than the first, and a fantail. They've been going strong for a couple years and have grown well. Now that we're upgrading the tank we're considering adding one or two fish. My question is this, I'm a little confused about what is a good idea vs. a bad idea. Is it a bad move to get little ones - should I get goldfish that are closer to the size of these guys? I never knew if the ones I have might become violent to new, smaller ones. Basically I just don't want to risk messing something up, my fish have been chilling happily for quite a while. What's the best way to add a couple fish?

07-18-2008, 09:49 PM	#2
trashion girl anachronism Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,328	My advice: Don't. You're waaay over the limit for a 20 gallon with 3 goldies. The two 33 cent fish are comet goldfish, which should reach over a foot. The fantail, IMO, needs a 29 to ITSELF. Comets really should be in a pond, or at least a LARGE tank. Keep up heavy water changes, but if I were you I'd look into a large tank or pond in the near future. Sorry! __________________ current setup: 5.5 gallon low-light planted tank -nothing....thinking a mini-community. for reference: my name is Julie

07-18-2008, 10:02 PM	#4
trashion girl anachronism Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,328	In my opinion, yeah. For comets. If you traded the two comets for 2 fancies, they'd be fine in a 50 gallon. __________________ current setup: 5.5 gallon low-light planted tank -nothing....thinking a mini-community. for reference: my name is Julie

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Members currently in the Chat:4
	Users In Chat Room: Blue_Cray, wm_crash, COM, hsd Come On In!

07-18-2008, 09:59 PM	#3
DC1 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 7	Okay, so you're saying even if I upgrade to the 50 gallon tank, my three is still too many.

07-19-2008, 08:23 AM	#5
COM Rebel Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 697	You can get away with your current fish and a few others for a few years in a 55 gallon with heavy filtration. You can probably get a new 55 gallon inexpensively at Wal-Mart or used on Craigslist. Get a big canister filter or two or a couple of Emperor 400s. Julie makes a good suggestion about trading to fancies. If you pick some wide-bodied fancies (except certain Ryukins) you can keep 6 or so in a 55 gallon tank with no problem. The trouble is that the feeder variety (the cheapies at Wal-Mart) don't usually go for much even when they're big, so there isn't much trade value. You are in luck that is the summer time and people are buying more fish for their ponds, so that may aid you in getting some more cash for your current fish if you decide to trade. Overall, the fish that you have now are already too big for a 20 gallon tank, but you're on the right path by considering upgrading the tank. Goldfish are a very enjoyable pet that can live for decades if properly cared for; it is worth the investment in a bigger tank.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)