Goldfish are so beautiful to look at that beginners are initially eager to keep them at home. But before keeping goldfish at home, it is important to be aware of goldfish care and the right tank for goldfish.
If properly cared for, goldfish can grow to a size of 10 to 12 inches. Since goldfish are much larger in size than other fish, it is especially important to have a slightly larger tank size for goldfish.
What Size is Best for a Goldfish Tank?
We have often seen goldfish being kept in a very small tank, and the shopkeeper telling you to keep the goldfish in a small tank, which is completely wrong.
A tank holding at least 20 gallons of water is required to keep a goldfish. If we keep more than one goldfish in the tank, we will need to increase the tank size by 10 gallons for each goldfish.
Not only that, as the size of the goldfish increases, it is especially necessary to increase the size of our tank. Therefore, 50, 75, and even 100 gallon tanks are used to keep large goldfish.
What other things are needed to keep a goldfish tank?
Preparing the ideal tank for goldfish requires a few things, such as the right surface, aquatic plants, air pump and light. These items help improve the environment of the goldfish tank.
- We always try to use proper substrate or small pebbles in goldfish tanks. The right surface helps to support the various aquatic plants in our goldfish tank.
- After our goldfish eats, excess food accumulates in the tank’s bottom. So if there is a proper surface at the bottom of our goldfish tank, the leftover food will continue to accumulate at the bottom. Which we can then use to remove from the tank using a suction pipe.
- Not only that, our goldfish like to rest or sleep on small pebbles and stones in the aquarium, so the right substrate is very important for goldfish to sleep on.
- Keeping aquatic plants in our goldfish tank plays a particularly important role. We get enough oxygen for our goldfish tank from aquatic plants. Aquatic plants also help control the amount of ammonia in our goldfish tank.
- A good air pump is necessary for our goldfish aquarium because the air pump helps to pump oxygen from the outside environment into the aquarium water. And we know how important oxygen is for our goldfish.
- There are also some good bacteria found in our aquariums that need oxygen to survive, so oxygen indirectly improves the environment of our goldfish tank.
- We usually use lights for our goldfish tanks. That’s because light helps the aquatic plants in our goldfish tank complete the photosynthesis process. Lights also play a special role in the environment of a goldfish tank. Not only that, lights help enhance the beauty of our aquarium.
Why do goldfish need a large tank?
As we discussed earlier, goldfish grow quite large, so a large tank is essential for them to swim and move properly.
After the goldfish has consumed enough food, the remaining food accumulates at the bottom of the tank. Also, a large amount of goldfish waste accumulates at the bottom of the aquarium.
These unnecessary substances later create ammonia in the tank, which destroys the tank environment.
If our goldfish tank is too small, the chances of ammonia levels rising rapidly increase, which in turn increases the likelihood of our goldfish getting sick.
Not only that, goldfish tanks need to have air pumps and various aquatic plants, which requires a slightly larger tank.
If we use a large tank for goldfish, it is especially suitable for goldfish movement and swimming. As a result, our goldfish will be able to grow up quickly and will be much healthier physically.
Can we keep one or two goldfish in the same tank?
Goldfish are naturally very peaceful and always like to be in groups. So we can definitely keep more than one goldfish in the same tank. However, one thing we must be aware of is that keeping more than one goldfish together requires a large tank.
Although we need to keep one thing in mind, goldfish come in many different species, so we should always try to keep many fish of the same species together. If different species of goldfish are kept in the same tank, there is a possibility of trace accumulation among them.
Can we keep other fish in the same tank with goldfish?
We previously discussed that goldfish are very peaceful fish, and they prefer to stay in groups most of the time. Similarly, if we keep another peaceful fish with the goldfish, the chances of problems are much lower.
We can keep different fish with goldfish, such as Rosy barb, Platy, Tetra, Guppies, Common Plecos etc.
However, we have to pay special attention to two things, firstly, adequate food. Because if we put less food in the goldfish tank, there is a possibility that the fish will start fighting for food.
Also, each fish has a specific area in the aquarium, so a slightly larger tank is needed.
Is it possible to keep goldfish in a tank like this that holds 10 gallons of water?
If we put a very young goldfish in a tank with 10 gallons of water, the fish will be able to survive for quite some time.
However, as the fish grows, it is especially necessary to increase the size of our tank. That’s because a goldfish won’t be able to move or swim properly in a small tank.
Not only that, ammonia builds up very quickly in small tanks, which is especially harmful to our goldfish. Also, in a small tank, we cannot use too many aquatic plants and air pumps, which will ruin the aquarium environment.
Therefore, a tank holding at least 20 gallons of water is required to keep goldfish.
Welcome to our website Aquarium Fish Zone. My name is Sagar Ghosh and I live in Kolkata. I am a science graduate.
I have kept fish in aquariums since I was very young. I loved seeing the colorful fish in the aquarium.
I have always tried to maintain and care for the fish properly. So me and my team members have created this website. As a result, we can provide you with accurate information about how aquarium fish are kept.