Devon

Hello folks, I am brand new to Fish Lore and freshwater fish in general... a couple of weeks ago I purchased a betta fish and a two-gallon drum-style bowl with some gravel and a live plant. Shortly thereafter I discovered this web site and after everything I was reading, I felt really guilty for keeping my new friend in such a small bowl with no heater... so I upgraded to a 6.6 gallon tank with 3 more plants, a heater to keep it 78-80 degrees F, and a water filter. He is SO much happier, and I'm so glad I could give him such a nice little home.
I noticed that my neighbour was keeping a pair of goldfish in a really, really tiny vase... probably not even 1 gallon. I thought... at the very least, the 2 gallon bowl I had been keeping my betta in would be better for them than what they have now, so I offered it to her. She confessed to me that she actually didn't even want the goldfish, she just didn't know what to do with them. Well... I can't stand the thought of these beautiful creatures living in that tiny, miserable vase with no one that really wants or cares for them. So I offered to take them off her hands.
I really have no idea how to care for goldfish or anything about their needs, plus I don't even know what variety these gold fish are (they are gorgeous calico colour with big, graceful flowing back fins); I know they can probably eat my betta's flake food and blood worm treats, but I will have to keep them in a separate tank as I suspect my betta would kill them. I have been reading that goldfish need 10 gallons each... but these are really small goldfish, not even 2" long... and I can't possibly get a 20 gallon aquarium, my landlord would have a fit. Can I get away with another 6.6 gallon tank for them?
Can anyone make suggestions on what they will need, should I get a heater or anything in specific for them?
These goldfish are very skittish and have not been very well-cared for. Their water is dirty and I imagine they are very stressed and depressed right now. I am going to move them into the 2 gallon bowl for the moment, but I want to give them the home they deserve as soon as possible. Any advice anyone can offer would be very much appreciated. Thank you!

Lucy

Hi Devon Welcome to Fish Lore

First, congrats on getting your betta into a 6g heated filtered tank, it makes a big difference in them, doesn't? What's his/her name?

How kind of you to take the goldies in and try to do better by them.
The goldfish don't need a heater. Room temp is fine for them, however, they are huge waste producers and do need a filter and as you found out, a much bigger aquarium than you have.

Although a 6.6g is an improvement for them, it's still not big enough.
Walmart has a 10g kit for around $35.00, still not ideal, but a few gallons more than the 6.6. They are both the same length but the 10g is taller.
This can only be a temporary solution because they grow fast.
When I had them, I fed them Tetra Gold Fish flakes.

Your tank will be going through the cycling process, it's explained here: http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

Do you have a test kit? You'll need to test for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. The API is highly recommended here.

Since your tank is new, you need to do daily water changes to keep the toxic ammonia levels down, until the cycle is complete.

When your water tests show 0 ammonia and nitrites with some nitrates showing, you can cut back to weekly maintenance and water changes

I know this can all be confusing, so please ask any questions you might have. The members here are wonderful and have a wide range of knowledge.

Good luck.

Devon

Hi Lucy, thank you for all the information!

Yes, my little betta was so lifeless and miserable when I got him (those cups they keep them in at the store should be outlawed, in my opinion), but since I moved him to his new luxury home, he never stops moving. You could see an immediate change in him once he realized how much space he had... he is so active and has such an inquisitive, social nature. He loves to rest under the leaves of his new plants and he parades up and down the tank constantly. I have gained such a respect for these little creatures, they are far more intelligent than people give them credit for, and he is so curious about me and the goings-on in the room. I've named him David Bowie, but he goes by Ziggy Stardust as well, when he's feeling especially fabulous.

It sounds like I am going to need to invest in some test kits for my new aquariums. I know it's terrible I don't already have one. :/

These goldfish are so small, and I think they are about three years old. I have been looking through types of goldfish on Google; these appear to be what they call "fantail" goldfish. I'm reading they can get about 5" long. Will they get bigger if I put them in a bigger tank?

Alessa

yeah... i dont keep them but i've heard they need a 20 gal all for themselves when they are big
btw it was very kind of you

Devon

Looks like I need to move some place where I can keep bigger aquariums!

lyndatu

Hello, Devon! Welcome to Fishlore.com!

Thank you very much for caring for those goldfishes. It was very kind of you to save them. Yes, you should get a bigger tank for them at around 10-gallons. They do not need some plants because they will uproot and eat them. A filter is also quite a must because they are massive waste producers. Here's a good article about the Nitrogen Cycle:

http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

Good luck!

Lucy

The API master test is used by a lot of people here on Fish Lore. Stay away from the test strips, they're not accurate.

The thing with goldfish is not so much their size, but the waste they produce.

Evelyn1919

i have a 75gal aquarium and i never even asked my landlord if it would be ok. i hope they are otherwise she'll kill me when she finds out LOL. she allows dogs cuz i also have a little dog but i never asked about my fish. oh well she doesn't live there and never comes to my apt so i guess that'll be ok for now.

here is apicture of my doggie.

oh and btw it was very nice of you to save those poor goldfish and the betta.

WELCOME TO FISHLORE!!!

Attached Images

leia.jpg (244.7 KB, 1 views)

Devon

Okay so... I am in the process of talking to someone on Craigslist about getting a 40 gallon tank for these two new goldfish, it's bigger than I originally anticipated but the price is really good and it's a beautiful tank and stand with a filter and built-in light...

But these fish are sick and deteriorating fast... someone help! It seems that Yoko has Nematode worms (there is a long, dark tan string hanging out two inches behind her that I am SURE was not there before... this morning I noticed it and thought it was just a plume of her tail, but it can't possibly be. The articles here and others on Google indicate this is most likely what it is?) When I put Yoko in the new bowl she seemed to be doing okay, but Scarface has been especially skittish and he was breathing fast right from the beginning... I don't know what looks normal for these guys since they are brand new, but it just doesn't feel right. Their mouths open and shut a million miles a minute. Now tonight Yoko is doing the same thing, panting, and she is so freaked out that if something moves she will swim fast all over the bowl, running into the sides and the plastic rock that's in there with them. They are both picking at their food though Scarface has a slightly better appetite than Yoko does. They both stay at the bottom of the bowl for the most part.

HELP! How do I get rid of Yoko's worms, and why is their breathing so fast!? I am so worried about these little guys... I didn't save them to watch them die! I'm also worried about doing a water change, will I stress them out too much and make them worse?

Lucy

I can't answer the parasite question, you might want to ask about it in a separate thread in the disease section, it will probably get more attention there.
Are the goldies still in the 2g? I imagine they are feeling the effects of ammonia. I would do a 50% water change.

Alessa

yes, 50%+ water changes daily with conditioned (dechlorhinated water) is all I can recommend for now.
it looks like your fishes are suffering the effects of the cycling process like lucy said. The 40 gal is your best bet for these fishes, the sooner the better.

Annabelle

ummm, are you sure the line coming out behind her isnt poo? It seems like a silly question but goldfish do tend to take a little while to poo sometimes and it hangs out behind them till they are finished.

As Lucy and Alessa said, they are probably feeling the effects of the ammonia and that would account for thier fast breathing and odd behaviour so you will need to do daily 50% water changes.
They are probably also pretty stressed from all the changes to thier living conditions and they will settle down once thier environment does. Do you have them in a busy part of the house? If so then putting them in a quiet corner might help.

Goldfish need goldfish flakes because thier nutrient requirements are different to that of tropical fish especially Bettas who are mainly carnivore. The 40 gal will be brilliant for them and if you keep them in the bowl till its at least partially cycled then they will be a little less stressed. You will be doing lots of water changes and it will be a bit of work but you did good to take them in and kudos for improving you betta's conditions as well. I love it when people do a bit of research!

COBettaCouple

Welcome to Fishlore.

Do you have Prime to condition your water with? Using Prime on all the water and doing daily water changes of 50% can help those little gold fish out some until they can get in a bigger tank. If you can find or order Fish Protector or even Stress Coat, that could help lower their stress levels some, especially the Fish Protector.

They may need some aeration in the water, which you could do with a small air stone on a side of the bowl.