Gold fish

[Big C]

Hi guys,

I have a 5 gal fresh water tank with a few minnows (no heater). Is it big enough for goldfish? one or two? Will the minnows be OK with the GF or will they become snacks? Other suggestions?

Thank you.

 

[lyquidphyre]

Goldfish need 10gal min. per goldie.

they are extremly messy and they can grow very large... a 5gal isn't suitable for one, in my opinion =o)

 

[Big C]

OK, lyquidphyre. Then what options do I have other than the goldies? Remember that the minows are there and they are used to room temperature water.

 

[lyquidphyre]

Is this the same 5gal in your signature with the blue cray fish?

You could always acclimate your minnows to a slightly warmer temperature, and add a betta =o)

 

[Big C]

Oops. I guess my sig needs updating.
Yes it is the same but unfortunately the cray fish is in fishy heaven now. It died of very old age a few months ago. The tank is quite boring without it! I want to give it to my 10 years old goddaughter, Emy, to introduce her to the hobby.

I think the betta is a good idea. They are quite flashy. I never had one, but I hear that they can be very aggressive. Can it tolerate the minnows?

You are right. I can also use a heater and rise the T slowly to aclimate the minnows, it is just that I want to keep it simple for Emy. (I've done the pwc-without-unplugging-the-heater once!)

 

[hc8719]

Goldfish need 10gal min. per goldie.

they are extremly messy and they can grow very large... a 5gal isn't suitable for one, in my opinion =o)

goldifish need 20g the first fish, and 10g after for every other one. and they still might even outgrow that.

i will second, they are extremely messy, if God wanted river to be polluted like they are, he would have put goldfish in them instead.

i mean unless your willing to do discus like water changes, as well as buying a larger tank. i know when my 2 goldfish died after 11 years, 30 gallons was still not enough. do not get goldfish, unless your willing to get a 55g tank or bigger to put them in.

 

[Big C]

Ok. Got it. No goldies. Then what can I put in there?
Thank you.

 

[hc8719]

umm some small tetras, more guppies, a beta if their not to nippy, kuhli loach, adf, posibilities are endless

 

[lyquidphyre]

I think a betta would work out really well. They are pretty hardy fish so a 10 year old could have a few mess ups w/o losing the fish. Also, they are VERY pretty. You mentioned something about aggression- males are aggressive towards other males. So if you get one male (or one female) you will be just fine =o)

 

[Big C]

Great! Thank you. I think I'll go shopping for a nice colorful betta.

Thank you all!