Would They Be Happier In A Pond?

I have two large goldfish in a 40 gallon tank. I am not sure what kind of fish they are, I have included a photo. The white fish is about 6 inches long (plus tail fin) and the orange fish is about 4 inches long (plus tail fin). These fish have been my pets, first in my classroom for several years and then at home when they couldn't handle the stress of the move at the end of the school year. I have had them for at least 6 years and they have gotten big, moving from a 10 gallon to a 20 gallon and now a 40 gallon tank! One of my fish has had health issues related to its fins, but we seem to have gotten past the illness and are in the healing phase.
We also have a pond in our backyard that has goldfish in it. I will admit that we don't really do anything with the water quality of the pond. Maybe this spring I will work on that but the fish seem very healthy and happy and sometimes we even get babies. The pond has leaks, so it gets refilled regularly with clean well water.
My question is....would my goldfish be better off in the pond vs. staying in the aquarium? I would be sad to not have them to enjoy, but if it would be better for them to be in the bigger space I would strongly consider moving them when the weather warms up.
Please share your opinions! Thanks!

 

They would definitely be happier in a pond. They will get way too big for most aquariums

 

Hello, because you've already had them for six years they will not grow any larger. They are comets. How long are they? They appear to have stunted growth at least in this picture but could be mis-leading, probably from their small containers early on but I think they will live out their life happily in the 40 gallon where they're at now depending on their size.

 

They would be much happier in the pond yes
As CindiL says they probably won't get any bigger. They are stunted unfortunately from being in such a small tank. 40 gallons may seem big but comet goldfish should reach around 1 foot when fully grown.

 

I agree with BottomDweller and CindiL, these fish would be much happier in a pond. Although, since they are short for their age we must assume they are stunted and probably won't get any bigger. Feel free to leave them in the 40 gallon. As you stated you still want to be able to interact and enjoy them. If you're determined to making you and your golden friends happy, consider upgrading to a 55 or 60 gallon. Not sure if this is everywhere, but my local Petsmart has a halfmoon 60 gallon tank with hood and stand for $200. Please let us know what route you decide to take. Anyways, best of luck with your golden friends.

 

Thanks so much for your advice. The goldfish are still growing, but I understand that the time they spent in the 10 gallon must have stunted their growth cycle. At this point, especially since I just bought the 40 gallon tank, I don't see getting a bigger one. I would move the fish outside if I wasn't worried that they would just die (from the move or during the winter). I would also be concerned because one of the fish has had ongoing issues with its fins and when the water quality is even slightly off it starts getting growths. The outside fish just seem tougher than these two that have been cared for in a different way. But maybe s spring and summer in the pond would be better than years in a tank. That is something for me to think about!

 

I would either get a bigger tank (55 or 60 gallon) or put them in the pond. Comet goldfish need 40 gallon for the first fish and 10 more gallons for every additional fish.

 

They would be much happier in the pond, and I have actually seen 3 year old stunted goldfish that I rescued grow a little after being placed in my pond.

 

Hi, I've been thinking of the same thing but I have cardinal tetras instead of goldfish. Don't know if they'll survive??? I haven't moved them yet.

 

Hi, I've been thinking of the same thing but I have cardinal tetras instead of goldfish. Don't know if they'll survive??? I haven't moved them yet.

Make your own thread, please don't hijack the OP's thread.

 

Make your own thread, please don't hijack the OP's thread.

I did sorry. I'm just new here. I'll delete it

 

Gerald and Piggy are still in the 40 gallon tank. I did not move them at the beginning of the spring and now I am keeping them inside for the rest of this year for sure. I did put two goldfish from a friend's school tank in the pond a few weeks ago and they are livin' the life of the free fish now...swimming with the pack and seeming to be very happy. Maybe next year Gerald and Piggy will join them!