Lone Goldfish

HI friendly fish people!
This is my first post.
In September I won two goldfish at a State Fair. (I realize now this is not the right way to get fish, but didn't at the time.) I do a decent amount of research, and try to balance my time, energy and especially money with keeping the fish healthy. I lost one goldfish after about a month, but the other is doing good! I call her Spice.

Spice recently got a tank upgrade from 10 to 20 gallons. She loves it. She doesn't like the bubbler but I've read that she'll get used to it. My main question is, with a 20 gallon tank and no plans to upgrade soon, will it be healthier to keep her alone? I'd love to get her a friend but don't want to overcrowd the tank if they would be unhealthy.

Thank you!

 

I'm assuming that she is a comet. They need a pond not a tank so I would not add another fish in that tank. It will interact with you.

 

My goldy Jupiter is super interactive to the point he'll almost jump out of the tank. He's always following me back and forth across the living room and watching me. He will take food from my hand and nudge me when I'm vacuuming the tank.

Here's the kicker. He's 8" long and in a 60 gallontank. Comet (or common) goldfish get BIG. they easily can hit 12 inches unless stunted. (My boy is, one too many winters in a 20g) but they can get even bigger then that in the right conditions. He made my 45g look small. Long story short, you either need a MUCH bigger tank or a pond. Goldies are social fish so yes, a friend is a good idea but NOT in that small of a tank. A pond with lots of friends is the best option if you can't upgrade to a big tank.

Edit: major typing error...

 

yes as stated above, definitely way to small of a tank for him, if you won it at a fair it's most likely a common or comet which grows to over a foot long , they need a 75g++ aquarium for a single goldfish or even better a pond.

goldfish are social so they do need "friends" , being alone can actually make them depressed and not as active, but do not get him a friend in that size tank!!

you might not want to hear this but you should definitely consider giving him to someone else with a pond since you don't have plans of upgrading him at all, if not his growth will be stunt and his life will be shorten dramatically.

 

yes as stated above, definitely way to small of a tank for him, if you won it at a fair it's most likely a common or comet which grows to over a foot long , they need a 75g++ aquarium for a single goldfish or even better a pond.

Yes, agreed on the 75 gallon minimum. My 60 was a custom build for Jupiter and the loaches (different dimensions give it a bigger floor plan over height) but not everyone is able to afford a custom tank.