Goldfish tank

[Landonwyeley16]

I recently set up a goldfish tank it is about 40 gallons 30 inches wide and 19 inches tall. I have 2 small goldfish in there now with one clown pleco both goldfish are fan tails. I have 2 sword plants in there. My question is I recently bought 1 pound of sand before doing research bad idea on my part the one time I don't do research. Well anyway I read sand can irritate and hurt goldfish it is only one pound it only covers half the tank and it is a thin layer the other half is gravel for the plants. Will the sand be a problem? There really isn't that much but as soon as I put it in I noticed some got on the fish and I got worried and saw that when I fed the fish some sinking pellets they got some sand in there mouths and spit it out I don't know if they spit out just the sand but I did not see any of the food come out. I would really prefer to keep the sand but I will do whatever is necessary like I said Hal the tank is gravel and it really is a thin layer of sand it was only a 1 pound bag that I ordered. Thank you. the picture is before I put the sand in sorry.

 

[Toad]

I've never heard of sand bothering goldfish before, I've heard of them having issues with some larger gravel but never experienced that myself.

 

[Landonwyeley16]

Good that is good to know do u have goldfish

 

[Toad]

I used to, tried to keep them again last year but my life kinda went crazy for awhile and I don't have any at the moment. Hopefully by the end of this year I will have my 75 up and running again and then I'll finally be able to get them and keep them.

 

[Landonwyeley16]

Ok well at least u have some experience do u have any tips

 

[Toad]

Read as much on here and other goldfish specific forums as you can lol. Mostly it's make sure you keep the water clean, feed a variety of good food in small portions throughout the day and keep an eye out for any problems like swim bladder issues, constipation and the like.

 

[Landonwyeley16]

Ok ya the basic cool

 

[jlk]

The sand is perfectly fine!! Its the small gravel pictured that is will pose a potential health hazard. My planted tanks all have pool filter sand as a substrate. Everything else is bare bottomed with the exception of the pond outside (which has 1ft+ rocks).

The hazard with small or even medium sized gravel is that goldfish are grazers by nature and the gravel poses a potential choking risk. They will pick and dig at the gravel and mouth it in search of food. A few grains of sand will pass harmlessly through the digestive tract but gravel will not pass as easily. Just something to keep in mind as I have had to remove gravel with forceps in the past (and it was not fun for anyone).

Please do not hesitate to ask any questions!

 

[Landonwyeley16]

Ok ya I remember reading something like that. I know my goldfish are to small right now so I might when they get bigger make the whole tank sand. it was just when I got the tank it came with the gravel and it had a lot of beneficial bacteria in it I needed.

 

[Landonwyeley16]

And any information or tips u can give me it is my first time with a cold water goldfish tank.

 

[Landonwyeley16]

I have had my goldfish for about a week and I noticed my two fan tails were doing some kind of dace. It looked like they were sniffing each others buts putting their faces right in between their tails is this normal I have seen a similar thing with my tetras when they were laying eggs I don't know I this is similar. I was just curious so any answers would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jlk]

It could be mating behaviors but I would find it a bit odd if they are very small (unless they are stunted adults). More typical breeding behaviors will be 'bumping' and actually chasing. Just keep in mind though a more dominant and/or aggressive male will do this to another fish regardless of gender. I would just keep an eye on them and make sure no one is being overly stressed or injured. Please ask any questions!

 

[Landonwyeley16]

Ok ya it was the small one chasing the big one so I thought it was odd but I will just keep an eye on them