Buddy for Oranda?

[sallywally]

My small Oranda, Penelope, is very active and social in her (for now) 20 gal long tank. She spends her time swimming cheerfully around the tank, eating and grazing, and zooming through her bubble wall. She comes up to the front when I go over and we spend time with me holding my hand against the glass and her swimming back and forth in front of my hand.

Because she is so active and sociable, I wonder if she would love a buddy in her tank; I think a smaller Oranda than she, and since Penelope is black with a fair amount of gold showing through, I am thinking red and black, perhaps with some gold attached.

I've had her for about five weeks.

If I get a buddy, I'd have to put together my 40 breeder for the first time and it could not go in the spot where she is now, but another spot in the same room.

[Azurescriber]

Agree, if you got a buddy you would need a bigger tank. Another oranda would be fine, or other fancies who won't out-compete her and will stay her size. No comets or anything like that.

[ScottishFish]

If you use the bigger tank you could look at weather loaches as a quirky tankmate? 4 or 5 in your 40G breeder would be a nice addition.

[Lady Hobbs]

Oranda's can grow to 10" but I think 7-8" would be more common for them. I would not get another fish until the tank has been upgraded. Oranda's should only be kept with other fancy species.