New fish owner -tank size and feeding questions

HI everyone,

I just have a few questions! I just bought 2 oranda goldfish today (and yes they are so cute). They are currently in a temporary tank that I had from ages ago but that is too small for them in the long run (thus why it is temporary). What size tank is suitable for 2 orandas? And if I wanted to add 1 more later (ie. 3 orandas) what size tank would that require? I do realise the bigger the better but I thought it best to have a rough idea of the minimum needed before I go looking at tanks in the next few days.

Also one of my orandas seems to have a floating problem. I was told it was just a case of having too much gas but after googling all I could find on orandas it seems it is a more serious problem? The fish seems to be having trouble staying low in the tank, keeps rising to the surface and will sometimes go upside down altogether. From what I understand this is mostly due to poor diet and can be helped by giving greens high in roughage such as peas. Any other suggestions or ideas would be much appreciated!

 

Welcome to fishlore!

I don't know what is wrong with your oranda, unless it is ammonia poisoning because the tank is too small.

I would say 29 gallons is the minimum for those 2, and if you wanted to add a 3rd, you should go up to about 40. You could probably put 5 in a 55g, if you want that many.

I love Oranda goldies... my point is, could you post pics?

 

Well usually fish come after the tank but I would say minimum for them would be 30 gallon and you should aI'm at getting a 55 gallon gold fish are very messy. And those guys grow to about 1ft in length.

 

I'm not a goldfish expert, but I do know you'll need something larger than 30gal. for two, even more if you add a third.
The sick Goldfish may have an infected or injured swim-bladder or may be constipated. Feeding it peas and garlic-water might help, and if you can get a vitamin supplement for fish, that may also help. Depending on the cause, this may be incurable, or it may go away with feeding the fish peas and garlic and fasting it for 24hrs(and repeating if the fish isn't cured the first time around). Does the fish seem bloated compared to the other?

 

If you are feeding the fish flakes, it is possible they it is gulping air and filling with gas. (Happend to my fantail occasionally). You can try feeding thawed frozen pea (canned cotains too much salt), daphnia or even fasting for a day or two.

I have made the switch to Aqeon Goldfish Pellets for this very reason. The pellets start to sink immeadiatly, so the fish no longer gulp at the surface.

 

If you are anything like me then I suggest just getting the biggest tank that you can possibly fit and your floor will hold. I started with a 30, then up to 55, now 110. I can't get an aquarium big enough lol. I am currently in the process of finishing my basement and as soon as that is done I am going to have a 500g made since the concrete slab of the basement will be able to support it.