High201

Is a 30 Gallon Tank too small for 2 Calico goldfish? Thanks in advance.

armadillo

Hi High201. I don't have any direct experience with Calico Goldfish, but they get up to about 4 inches max, right? The general rule of thumb is one inch of fish per gallon, in which case your setup sounds plenty enough for 2 of these. I would wait for Goldfish experts to comment on this one, in case there are particular issues with these types of fish, but size-wise, you're more than OK. It's nice to hear that sort of questions. Makes a change from the usual: 'Can I have 5 great white sharks in my 5G tank. Is that a problem?" and the likes.

Good luck with your fish!

vin

Calicos can get up to 8"...If this is what you have a 30g should be fine.

armadillo

8"! But all the sources I checked said about 4". Man, talk about reliable.

High201

Ok, i bought a bigger 56 Gallon Tank. I was really excited bringing it home but then I thought to myself did I buy the wrong tank. The tank is not a wide one but a deep one. Height 25'', Length 30'', and width 18''. Would a longer tank be more appropiate here. Which do you prefer? Thanks for your past replies and thanks in advance for this one. High201

armadillo

I myself prefer long tanks, as I want to give the fish the longest exercise length I can afford and swimming upwards/downwards doesn't feel so natural for fish to me. I could be completely wrong, just gut feeling. I know I regretted buying my high tank. Sorry, probably not what you want to hear, but my opinion is personal preference only. I don't think it's based on anything strongly scientific or anything.

griffin

i agree with armadillo. i like shorter, longer tanks myself. it's easier to get uniform water circulation, easier to reach the bottom of if you need to, provides more usable space (all imo).

the only fish i can think of that would really like the additional height are angel fish because of their fins.

armadillo

Indeed I hadn't thought of the added advantage that a shallower water depth is in terms of ease of maintenance.

Why do angels like vertical tanks?

vin

I agree as well. Shorter, longer tanks provide larger surface area which is better for the fish.

griffin

to provide more space for their fins. i've seen angelfish that had trouble swimming around because the tank wasn't really tall enough.

griffin

also, just to clarify, it's not that the like vertical tanks per se, but that they need more vertical space than most fish

armadillo

Aaaaah, interesting, interesting.