50 Gallon Tank How many goldfish can I put with two bristlenose plecos?

I have a 50-gallon goldfish tank (like a 55g but not quite as tall). Right now, I have two young goldfish, two small/medium adult bristlenose plecos, and two nerite snails in there. I was planning on leaving it at that. The thing is, there’s a really cute goldfish at the pet store where I work right now, and I want it. Would it be safe/advisable to add another fish to this tank? (I won’t buy it if it’s not a good idea, and there’s always the chance that someone else could buy it by the time I go in again tomorrow, but I just want to know.)

 

in my experience a fully grown goldfish needs about 20g per goldfish.

not too sure about bristlenose, but from their size, i would estimate 10-15g each.

you're kind of at your max stocking right now. but if you get that 3rd goldfish, you would probably need to do 2 water changes per week to keep the nitrate level below 20ppm.

also, there have been reports that plecos will suck on the slime coat of goldfish at night. so i'd keep an eye out for that.

 

How much filtration do you have? And it is probably possible if you want to do the work.

 

in my experience a fully grown goldfish needs about 20g per goldfish.

not too sure about bristlenose, but from their size, i would estimate 10-15g each.

you're kind of at your max stocking right now. but if you get that 3rd goldfish, you would probably need to do 2 water changes per week to keep the nitrate level below 20ppm.

also, there have been reports that plecos will suck on the slime coat of goldfish at night. so i'd keep an eye out for that.

I’d been figuring that goldfish and bristlenoses were both pretty messy, and I know how big goldfish get. (The older of the two goldfish has only been in the tank for a couple months, and she’s already grown quite a bit.) I already do a 70-75% water change every week. I don’t know what the nitrate levels are right now, though. Then again, the water change today.

I’ve had these two bristlenoses in this tank for years. They only ever bother each other. (I know what you’re talking about, though; it happens at work.)

How much filtration do you have? And it is probably possible if you want to do the work.

I have two AquaClear 70s on the tank.
Thank you both for your responses!

 

What type of goldfish? Comets or fancy? My rule of thumb is if your able to keep ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates at virtually 0 AND have ample room for the goldfish to swim then your good. That really just relies on how many water changes (and how much water during those changes) you want to do.

 

What type of goldfish? Comets or fancy? My rule of thumb is if your able to keep ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates at virtually 0 AND have ample room for the goldfish to swim then your good. That really just relies on how many water changes (and how much water during those changes) you want to do.

They’re both fancies. The bigger one’s a ryukin and the other one’s an oranda.
Doing water changes on five tanks was much more convenient before I started working full time. Lol

I will be getting a pump and hose soon, though, to make water changes faster. That said, how many do you all think I’d have to do?

 

it's going to have to depend on the nitrate levels. maybe one every 3-4 days.

 

Update: the goldfish is still here (in the tank at work). I just noticed it has a little white thing by its head, which is concerning. I have no idea what it is.



(I’m on break and won’t be able to respond until I get home in a few hours.)

 

looks like a cyst.

 

looks like a cyst.

Is there anything I can do to help the fish (if I buy it) or would it be a better idea to just leave it alone?

 

Update: someone else bought the fish.
Worse, as I found out while ringing her up, she doesn’t know anything about goldfish. She’s putting it in a tiny little tank with another goldfish. I mean, I told her they were going to need a bigger tank soon, but still.
In any case, thank you for your time and help, jtjgg ! Now I’ll know if I see another fish that catches my eye.

 

Update: someone else bought the fish.
Worse, as I found out while ringing her up, she doesn’t know anything about goldfish. She’s putting it in a tiny little tank with another goldfish. I mean, I told her they were going to need a bigger tank soon, but still.
In any case, thank you for your time and help, jtjgg ! Now I’ll know if I see another fish that catches my eye.

Man it’s the worse feeling to see someone buy the pet you were going to get/wanted, hope you find an even cuter one!