do 2 fancy goldfish max out a 29g bioload?

[megastealer]

As the title states, I am planning on adding 2 fantails to a 29 gallon. Are there any other coldwater tankmates that could go in there with them, or do they max out the tank's capacity? I do like the interesting way tanks look with multiple species... but if it isn't safe for my goldfish than I don't want to take any risks.

The tank will also be fairly heavily planted. At least two large amazon swords, a few java ferns, 2 water wisteria (which may die), and I may add more plants as well.

I also have a piece of driftwood coming in, and a fake half log that has lots of room to swim into.

There is also an area towards the front where there is lots of open room for the fish to swim, and there is lots of room above the decorations as well.

I'll get some pictures one of these days, but I'm trying to find a t5 lighting solution first.

[MonkeyPox]

With 2 fantails, you could probably get away with a few other small fish, assuming you had adequate filtration.

[Red]

It may be pushing it because 2 might be over the line in some people book. Look to do 2-3 w/c a week with an extra tank. I believe goldfish eat plants, so you would need to get moss to keep up with the goldfish.

[robnepper]

If you have a lot of plants and big filtration, then technically no, you are not maxed out. However, if you did just keep the two fancies alone in there, would be better for them. IMO, don't crowd them or over feed them and you should be fine.

[megastealer]

What would be some possible tank mates? I would need fish that stay small and could stay in room temperature water with the goldfish.

[Red]

a dojo loach is a good tankmate, but like I said before, you will open the tank to more fungas do the the over stocking.

[megastealer]

Hmm.

Well this is just still me throwing ideas around. But it looks like I am going to have an AquaClear 50 filter. I could add a powerhead as well for more circulation if that would help. Also, I don't think the goldfish will bother the Java Fern, Anubias, and Amazon Swords as they are either too big or goldfish don't like their taste from what I have read.

It looks like loaches also get pretty big. Is there a list of coldwater fish somewhere around where I could look at the possibilities, or are there few enough for you guys to just suggest them?

[AABatteries]

With the AC50 on a 29g with two fantails, you should be fine. Just leave out the carbon and pick up another sponge pad instead. The loaches don't get that big from what I know, 3 or 4 inches, if I remember correctly from having them.

[MCHRKiller]

Actually Id bump that up to 2 AC50s on there...Goldfish are bulky fish and they create alot of waste so your going to have to have some pretty great filtration. Goldfish wont eat the java fern, moss, or anubias...and maybe not swords.

I think you could get away with 5-6 white could minnows *OR* a pair of Dojos. But you are looking at a very minimum of 50-60% WCs a week preferably broke up into 30% changes every 3-4days once the fish are grown.

[Fishguy2727]

Stocking depends A LOT on your water change schedule, something that is overlooked 90% of the time. You are right on the borderline. Keep in mind that they can hit fist size NOT counting the fins. With enough water changes some danios (white clouds, zebras, etc.) could work. Dojos can get pretty big and goldfish cleanup pretty well anyways, so I would go with the danios over the dojo.

With the right food goldfish will leave plants alone for the most part.

I think a strong air pump would be better than a powerhead. Goldfish like a lot of aeration, and a strong bubble wall can create significant flow. I suggest the Azoo 9500 air pump, super strong and more affordable than other air pumps. I use Marineland Bubble Wands.

In my tanks I use Estes' Marine Sand. The plants do VERY well in it, and the goldfish love it.

[megastealer]

If danios work, that would be good, because I already have 4 of them cycling my 29 gallon outside while my poor goldfish and even poorer pleco wait in their mostly cycled 10 gallon. I'm still working on getting rid of the pleco.. but I guess I have time since he isn't too big yet for the 29 gallon.

If push comes to shove I'll just have to give it away for free to a LFS or something..

[whyowhy116]

I have a single yo-yo boieta in with my fancys. I love the varigated coloration and it provides lots of action! I have 1 black butterfly and 2 ryukins in a 20 gallon. Its definately overloaded, but they are still small. I have a 30 gal filter on the tank. Had a 20 gal. filter, but it wasn't efficient enough for the mess they create and the boieta helps with the mess as well...

They are beautiful! Enjoy!

[megastealer]

I have a single yo-yo boieta

A what? I've never heard of that fish before.

[whyowhy116]

Also known as a yo yo loach (and I had a typo!). Here is a link with some great shots.

http://www.loaches.com/species-index/botia-almorhae

[megastealer]

Ah cool - where can I find one of these? Do any of the big pet stores carry them, or would I have to get lucky at a LFS?

[megastealer]

Actually, I think I really like clown loaches. Could a clown loach work with my fantails?

I am also still pondering whether I should put danios in with the goldfish. I am worried they might scare them since they're so hyper.

[MonkeyPox]

29g is way too small for a clown loach. They grow over a foot and like to be in schools.

[megastealer]

Are the yoyo loaches smaller then? Its a shame clown loaches get so big, since they're so pretty :P

[Comrade]

Yo-yo loaches might not be real happy in that tank with the goldfish. everything I've read says that they should have a school of at the very least 3 and they can grow up to 6 inches long so that might put you over your limit (although I'm not real good at estimating that.) The loaches also prefer warmer temperatures than goldfish I believe. You might be able to find a pleco (not a common pleco) that stays small and isn't too particular on the temperature.

That being said, yo-yo's don't seem that hard to find in pet stores, of the 3 around me the big chain does not carry it, but my local pet store and the smaller chain occasionally carry it if you would like to get some eventually.

There are several loaches that stay smaller and prefer cooler water from what I've read, but most of them seem to prefer specialized conditions like the hillstream loaches. They are native to rivers and prefer a pretty heavy tank flow. Take a look and you may find something you like that would be happy in your tank

[robflanker]

check the loach thread/article written by Dave66. I believe yo-yos should be kept in groups as well, so a single might not be a good selection