Goldfish in too small tank, what to do?

**ravenfern** · 05-11-2008, 06:17 AM

I am posting this under its own thread so more people will hopefully see it and give me some suggestions.
I have two goldfish, the short tailed orange kind. I got them from my sister who didnt want them any more. She had them in a 2.5 gallon tank for a year or so, i now have them in my 20 gallon. Now around here if you buy a goldfish they have only just started asking you how long you have had your tank set up and telling you to feed them more than flake, goldfish are it seems a very expendable pet. Now i do not believe this so i want to do what i can for them to make them happy and healthy.
Here is the problem. As a few people have told me the 20 gallon is too small for them, but i have no access to a pond and i really have no room for a 125 gallon tank so what do i do?
Do i give them to the aquarium shop where they can put them in a pondish tank outside where they will have more room or well, what?
I dont want them to suffer so what can i do?

**angelcakes** · 05-11-2008, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by ravenfern

I am posting this under its own thread so more people will hopefully see it and give me some suggestions.
I have two goldfish, the short tailed orange kind. I got them from my sister who didnt want them any more. She had them in a 2.5 gallon tank for a year or so, i now have them in my 20 gallon. Now around here if you buy a goldfish they have only just started asking you how long you have had your tank set up and telling you to feed them more than flake, goldfish are it seems a very expendable pet. Now i do not believe this so i want to do what i can for them to make them happy and healthy.
Here is the problem. As a few people have told me the 20 gallon is too small for them, but i have no access to a pond and i really have no room for a 125 gallon tank so what do i do?
Do i give them to the aquarium shop where they can put them in a pondish tank outside where they will have more room or well, what?
I dont want them to suffer so what can i do?

20g is to small,and a goldfishes diet is huge they eat all varietys of food,now your problem,over here its illegal to a point but do you have a lake by you that hasnt got predertry(sp?)fish? this is only a suggestion and might not be helpful but its an idea

**Wild Turkey** · 05-11-2008, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by ravenfern

I am posting this under its own thread so more people will hopefully see it and give me some suggestions.
I have two goldfish, the short tailed orange kind. I got them from my sister who didnt want them any more. She had them in a 2.5 gallon tank for a year or so, i now have them in my 20 gallon. Now around here if you buy a goldfish they have only just started asking you how long you have had your tank set up and telling you to feed them more than flake, goldfish are it seems a very expendable pet. Now i do not believe this so i want to do what i can for them to make them happy and healthy.
Here is the problem. As a few people have told me the 20 gallon is too small for them, but i have no access to a pond and i really have no room for a 125 gallon tank so what do i do?
Do i give them to the aquarium shop where they can put them in a pondish tank outside where they will have more room or well, what?
I dont want them to suffer so what can i do?

Sounds like you answered your own question. If ur lfs has a pond, donate them. Also you can go back and visit them whoohoo.

**Sasquatch** · 05-11-2008, 02:32 PM

First of all, good move trying to give them the best home possible. It's nice to see fish keepers that genuinely care about their fish.

As for tank size, you don't need to go as big as 120gals ... not for only two goldfish. For just the two you could probably get away with something in the 40 - 50 gallon range, much more manageable. If you decide on the smaller end of the scale, try to find one that is more squarish, not the long varieties.

Good luck and keep us posted.

**Halelorf** · 05-11-2008, 03:09 PM

a 40gallon breeder tank (very wide) or a 55 gallon would be very good for you. 2 goldfish don't need a super large tank but they do need a good volume of water. Remember those fish have the potential to get over a foot long. Good luck!

**Fishguy2727** · 05-11-2008, 03:43 PM

It sounds like they are the long-bodied type in which case I think the original idea of 120+ is more accurate. If they are round-bodied it is different.

If the LFS has a nice setup they would put them in and you think it is the best option you/they have, I would say that is the best option.

**gm72** · 05-11-2008, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by angelcakes

over here its illegal to a point but do you have a lake by you that hasnt got predertry(sp?)fish? this is only a suggestion and might not be helpful but its an idea

No, no, no. I am going to react a little harshly to this because we need to kill these kinds of suggestions outright. Angel, not directed completely at you because we have had these kinds of ideas before and we have discussed these issues before. Your suggestion is trying to help, I understand that. If you take personal offense to this post then I apologize in advance. This is simply triggering a reminder. We can not even make suggestions such as this as it is completely inappropriate and irresponsible.

In no way shape or form is it appropriate to release any fish or plant into the wild. An ecosystem is a carefully balanced circle of life. The introduction of non-indigenous life is a potential disaster for the system.

I don't want to hear comments like "but it's only 2 fish," because the number doesn't matter. A single fish, depending on the specific ecosystem, can radically change the function of the cycle.

Let's take an analogy--I add a large og to my house but the amount of food stays the same. What do you suppose is going to happen? Not particularly positive results for the dogs. Now all of the animals have less food, they start fighting over it, leading to stress. Health declines because of decreased nutrition and stress. Get the idea?

This is sort of like littering--"Oh, I'll just dump this fish in that lake over there." Now someone else does the same. And over and over again. Destruction.

So, no. You may not dump the fish into a foreign ecosystem. Period.

**Lady Hobbs** · 05-11-2008, 04:58 PM

Your idea of giving them to the fish store is really the only good answer. Perhaps they will give you a store credit to get something else.

**gm72** · 05-11-2008, 05:04 PM

Agreed. Store or to someone who has adequate facilities for them.

**Wild Turkey** · 05-11-2008, 06:06 PM

gm is absolutely right, in fact i think theres a snakehead post active right now even. I know goldfish seem harmless, but you never know how they will do in said eco-system, for all you know there could be something in the lake that is essential to it and the other fish, and the goldfish could make it their new favorite food and completely destroy the lake. You shouldnt flush fish for the same reason, it is possible, however unlikely that even a "dead" fish is still alive and will make it to a body of water via your sewer system/pipe system.