New Goldfish Need Help!!

I recently just bought two goldfish, they are both in a 29 gallon tank, and I was given some media from someone else's tank in a small container with some water to put in my filter with the goldfish. Is my tank big enough? Is it cycled? What do I feed the goldfish? Etc.

 

Yes it should be cycled feed them pellets I think but it is good x

 

Yes it should be cycled feed them pellets I think but it is good x

Will my tank be big enough?

 

Yep that was my 2 comets tank at first but when they get big I went for a 55g

 

Will my tank be big enough?

Are they fancy or common ? either or I personally think they will be fine in it. ( my own opinion, don't get all over me if I'm wrong but not all fish need 50-60 gallon tanks .I believe in keeping your fish in what they're happy in but some people get a little out of control when keeping fish !)

 

Yep I agree with that statement of they aren’t affected leave it I feel

 

Are they fancy or common ? either or I personally think they will be fine in it. ( my own opinion, don't get all over me if I'm wrong but not all fish need 50-60 gallon tanks .I believe in keeping your fish in what they're happy in but some people get a little out of control when keeping fish !)

They are common, I heard commons can get up to a foot long.

That is why I'm worried that my tank will be too small.

 

You will know when the tank is too small cuz mine wouldn’t do anything around yr2 then I got a 55g

 

That is why I'm worried that my tank will be too small.

put it to you this way....commons belong in a pond and not an aquairum...that is too small. Get at least a 100g+ so they would live at least a good life or rehome them, just rehome them and let the fish live a good life if you can not provide a large tank with large filtration

put it to you this way....commons belong in a pond and not an aquairum...that is too small. Get at least a 100g+ so they would live at least a good life or rehome them, just rehome them and let the fish live a good life if you can not provide a large tank with large filtration

JesseMoreira06 can help you out here

 

Commons get over a 1ft long and some can reach 2ft. They require 150g+ but they do better in a pond. That tank is way too small for 2 and will get too big for a 55g. Best option is either buy a pond set up or rehome them or buy a 150g. Reminder goldfish have a large bioload so bi-daily water changes are important if you have 2 in a 29g.

 

They are common, I heard commons can get up to a foot long.

That is why I'm worried that my tank will be too small.

I agree you'll need a bigger tank in the future .

 

put it to you this way....commons belong in a pond and not an aquairum...that is too small. Get at least a 100g+ so they would live at least a good life or rehome them, just rehome them and let the fish live a good life if you can not provide a large tank with large filtration


JesseMoreira06 can help you out here

How long can they be in the tank I have before anything bad happens?

Commons get over a 1ft long and some can reach 2ft. They require 150g+ but they do better in a pond. That tank is way too small for 2 and will get too big for a 55g. Best option is either buy a pond set up or rehome them or buy a 150g. Reminder goldfish have a large bioload so bi-daily water changes are important if you have 2 in a 29g.

Any idea how long they can be in my current setup before anything bad happens to them?

 

Any idea how long they can be in my current setup before anything bad happens to them?

Not long they will be stunted if they are in the tank long, they won't grow or live to their full potential if they are in a small tank.

 

Not long they will be stunted if they are in the tank long, they won't grow or live to their full potential if they are in a small tank.

What is stunted?

 

What is stunted?

Stunted is when the fish doesn t reach their full potential, which also means they won't grow to the size as they should grow and they won't live as long as they are suppose to. For example when kids put them in a bowl they only live for a week and only grows an inch or so, but when you put them in a pond they can grow over a foot and live for 20+ years

 

Stunted is when the fish doesn t reach their full potential, which also means they won't grow to the size as they should grow and they won't live as long as they are suppose to. For example when kids put them in a bowl they only live for a week and only grows an inch or so, but when you put them in a pond they can grow over a foot and live for 20+ years

Right now I think my only option is to keep them or return them to the pet store, which I don't want to do because they will be sold as feeders. I'm just wondering how long they can live in my current tank, I will be able to upgrade at some point, but probably not anytime soon.

 

Right now I think my only option is to keep them or return them to the pet store, which I don't want to do because they will be sold as feeders. I'm just wondering how long they can live in my current tank, I will be able to upgrade at some point, but probably not anytime soon.

How long are you planning to keep them in a 29g? If you can get a 55 gallon they can live a lot more happier than the 29 gallon until you can get them a pond.

 

How long are you planning to keep them in a 29g? If you can get a 55 gallon they can live a lot more happier than the 29 gallon until you can get them a pond.

I will probably have to keep them in the 29 gallon for a few months, will this be ok?

 

I will probably have to keep them in the 29 gallon for a few months, will this be ok?

It wouldnt be recommended but I think the latest will be 3 months because the will grow pretty fast.

 

It wouldnt be recommended but I think the latest will be 3 months because the will grow pretty fast.

Okay, if I can't upgrade soon I will look into rehoming them to someone with a pond.

 

Okay, if I can't upgrade soon I will look into rehoming them to someone with a pond.

Okay just keep up with your water changes and they will be fine.

 

Okay just keep up with your water changes and they will be fine.

Any idea how often I should clean the tank? I don't have a test kit, and the only media I have is some that came from someone else's tank, so I don't know if that means my tank is fully cycled.

 

Any idea how often I should clean the tank? I don't have a test kit, and the only media I have is some that came from someone else's tank, so I don't know if that means my tank is fully cycled.

Hmm not sure you should ask someone else.

 

Any idea how long they can be in my current setup before anything bad happens to them?

you shouldn't have them at all in an aquairum as small as 29g

I will probably have to keep them in the 29 gallon for a few months, will this be ok?

and after the few months what will happen to them. it would be to late to give them away by then as they would be stunted

 

you shouldn't have them at all in an aquairum as small as 29g

and after the few months what will happen to them. it would be to late to give them away by then as they would be stunted

What exactly happens when a fish gets stunted, also how does it happen?

Also I am going to try posting an ad on craigslist to see if anybody is willing to take them with a pond on there.

 

When they don’t have enough room the insides grow but the outsides don’t meaning the fish is squishing itself to death slow and painful

 

When they don’t have enough room the insides grow but the outsides don’t meaning the fish is squishing itself to death slow and painful

Hmm I've heard about that, but was told it was a myth… guess not, will be looking for someone will a pond to take them. Thank you all for your advice!

 

You could use a big plastic tub from Walmart

I did

 

Can you buy a kiddie pool or maybe a air blow up pool for them?

 

You could but that is gonna require declorinator and power and a place for the pump but yes it could be safe

 

You could but that is gonna require declorinator and power and a place for the pump but yes it could be safe

Agree but it's better than a 29 gallon

 

a lot better and hI ken like the oranda we really need a better name

 

a lot better and hI ken like the oranda we really need a better bame

Lol yeah we will find one

Name

I understood what you meant

 

I will probably have to keep them in the 29 gallon for a few months, will this be ok?

You'll have to monitor their water closely, especially at the start. You'll also have to do a lot of cleaning. These things will eat like horses and produce waste accordingly.

Remember, while 'aquariums' are expensive, things like animal water troughs are much more reasonable. So, if you've got room outside a 300 gallon round trough, some stones and potted waterlilies and other aquatic plants for cover and to hide behind in the case of a hungry racoon coming by, a pond filter, and they've got a nice home for life.

 

You'll have to monitor their water closely, especially at the start. You'll also have to do a lot of cleaning. These things will eat like horses and produce waste accordingly.

Remember, while 'aquariums' are expensive, things like animal water troughs are much more reasonable. So, if you've got room outside a 300 gallon round trough, some stones and potted waterlilies and other aquatic plants for cover and to hide behind in the case of a hungry racoon coming by, a pond filter, and they've got a nice home for life.

Yep I totally agree with you just trying to make it less stressful for the OP

 

What exactly happens when a fish gets stunted, also how does it happen?

it happens when you have them in a small aquarium. Basically their bodies remain small and ther organs continue to grow so it leads to a hunch back appearance as their spine gets pushed up. It is extremely painful experience for them ad they will slowly die. Imagine that happening to a human. At least we have the painkillers but the fish got nothing

 

What exactly happens when a fish gets stunted, also how does it happen?

The fish releases a hormone into the water when they don't have enough space. This stunts their growth since if they continue growing, they will die in nature. The fish will also become less active since this is what they would have to do in nature. Stunting leads to a shorter lifespan and many other health problems.

Hmm I've heard about that, but was told it was a myth… guess not, will be looking for someone will a pond to take them. Thank you all for your advice!

Its best to return it, since housing it in a 29 gallon for too long might stunt their growth and not many people are looking to house 50 cents worth of fish when they could just go to their LFS and buy them. They were sold as feeders to you, but you didn't feed them to anything, there is at least a chance they could go to a proper home quickly before real problems appear if you return them.

 

I suggest returning the fish to the store and getting a fancy goldfish instead if you're set on goldfish. They stay under a foot usually 8 inches and 29 gallon should be okay for one, two at most if you have good filtration and keep the tank well maintained.

I have two commons/comet goldfish in a 125 gallon tank. They grew to over 6 inches in less than a year and will out grow their 125 and will need to be moved into an over 200 gallon pond probably closer to 400 gallons at least.

Please get a test kit if you're planning on keeping any type of fish it'll help you figure out if they tank is cycled and if the water is the correct parameters. (API master fresh water kit is my favorite)

They'll need 25-50% water changed weekly, at least that's what I've found with my goldfish when they were in a smaller thank

I wish you the best

 

I suggest returning the fish to the store and getting a fancy goldfish instead if you're set on goldfish. They stay under a foot usually 8 inches and 29 gallon should be okay for one, two at most if you have good filtration and keep the tank well maintained.

I have two commons/comet goldfish in a 125 gallon tank. They grew to over 6 inches in less than a year and will out grow their 125 and will need to be moved into an over 200 gallon pond probably closer to 400 gallons at least.

Please get a test kit if you're planning on keeping any type of fish it'll help you figure out if they tank is cycled and if the water is the correct parameters. (API master fresh water kit is my favorite)

They'll need 25-50% water changed weekly, at least that's what I've found with my goldfish when they were in a smaller thank

I wish you the best

I understand the sentiment, but the OP doesn't want to return them because they were sold as feeder fish and there's already an emotional attachment. She doesn't want her fish to suffer due to inadequate housing, but also doesn't want them fed to a bigger fish, which I completely understand- both will seem like abuse to her.

 

I understand the sentiment, but the OP doesn't want to return them because they were sold as feeder fish and there's already an emotional attachment. She doesn't want her fish to suffer due to inadequate housing, but also doesn't want them fed to a bigger fish, which I completely understand- both will seem like abuse to her.

I thought I saw that they were going to try rehoming them to someone with a pond and I must of missed the feeder part. So my apologies.

I understand the attachment completely because that's what was what happened to me with my fish.

Unfortunately, it is still good to know exactly what a goldfish's needs are because it's not common knowledge like other species.

I hope I'm not coming off as condescending to anyone, but ultimately if the OP can afford it they should get a stock pond or a kiddie pool or any large enough container to house them. The fish can live in the 29 fine at a small size for a while but after that bigger housing or re homing is required to be in the fish's best interest.