Aquarium help? --- goldfish, small tank

[Kfish3]

Hi. I just got a new tank that is an aqua culture home aquarium starter kit 5. Does that mean 5 gallons or what? Well it looks big so thats just a little question. I have had limited space and money, (my bearded dragon taking up alot of space with a 55 gallon) so please dont go on and on about how its a tiny tank, i know. I previously had a little 1 inch common goldfish that hasnt grown at all. I also got a ryukin and are keeping them in there. So far they have been doing fine, but what do i do when they get bigger? I cant upgrade the tank size? Any tips? I dont wanna just drop them off at some awful pet place to be put in a 5 gallon with a million other fish. I now know that i should have stuck to small fish like guppies, tetras, and maybe a betta. So what can i do? P.S. I got tired of people on yahoo answers going on about how these two goldfish shouldnt be together, 5 gallons is a torture room, etc.
Thanks!

 

[mudraker]

There is nothing wrong with keeping a small tank, I have quite a few and love them, but it is cruel to keep goldfish in them.

Is this why the one inch goldfish never grew?

Be kind, rehome them, and stick to a betta for a five gallon tank.

I know you said you couldn't stand the idea of them being resold to go into a five gallon with too many fish, but that is what you are doing right now, just on a smaller scale.

I hope I said this nicely.

And welcome to AA!

 

[jsoong]

For the tank size, measure the dimensions. Gallons = length x width x depth (in inches) / 231. They can name it a 5 or whatever, but the actual size might be different.

A 5 gal will be really cramped for goldfish. You can keep them for a while when they are babies, but you will have to look for a bigger setup when they grow. Meanwhile, maintaining pristine water conditions is key. In a small setup with goldfish, water changes daily (or even twice a day) is needed.

Eventually, even with frequent pwc's, the carrying capacity of the tank will be exceeded & start to accumulate nitrates or ammonia. The fish usually meet an untimely death. <Goldfish should live for years, 7-10 for fancies ... up to 30+ for commons, but you rarely see even 6 or 7 months in small setups.>