I'm thinking that when I move and have more room, I'd like to keep some fancy goldfish. I've seen them ranging in size from a couple of inches to six inches or more (ignoring fin length here). Do they all grow that large, or just some varieties? Are there some types that might cap out at about 4 inches of body length?
I've kept various tropical fish, but have little experience with goldfish (other than the orange, slim bodied type we used to keep in bowls (yikes) when I was a kid in the 70s. I think they were comets.). I know these fish need substantially more room per inch of body than most types and that they have high filtration needs.
I'd like some ideas of what would be a good tank setup if I wanted, say, 6 goldfish.
First, is it okay to have one each of a few types of similar sized goldfish (I'm drawn to the black moore, some of the bronze varieties, and the calico types)? Or are they like corys in that they like to be with their own specific type?
To conserve space, I'd rather have a tank that's more square, as opposed to the long rectangle, and with more height. Goldfish are more middle swimmers, no?
I.E., I'm thinking of something closer to this:
http
/www.livingcolor.com/img/aquariums/gallery/commercial/4_sm.jpg
or this: http/seaviewaquariums2.com/Custom%20%20Design%20Aquariums/200-gallon-built-in.jpg
Than this: http/www.arburnaquatics.com/images/200Show.jpg.
Either way, I'll probably get something custom.
I tend to think the first tank is a little nicer for the fish as they width, depth, and length of moderate sizes, as opposed to a long length with little width and depth. But maybe I'm wrong.
So I'm thinking 200 gallons with and undergravel filter run through a cansister. Am I off base here? I'm not getting the tank for a few months so I have plenty of time to plan this out.
And what about tank mates. I know goldfish are normally only kept with goldfish, but what about a nice plec to work on the algae? Anything else that would get along with them? Snails? A big loach? Any other complementary fish?
Alternatively, would it be better to wait until I have room to build a nice indoor pond? If so, I'm also thinking of doing a nice cichlid tank (or a marine setup!). So many decisions, but I like to work on one thing at a time and really get to know all the ins and outs! I'd like to work out what I'm going to go with and research it for a few months before starting. Anyone with goldfish experience who can help out?
I've kept various tropical fish, but have little experience with goldfish (other than the orange, slim bodied type we used to keep in bowls (yikes) when I was a kid in the 70s. I think they were comets.). I know these fish need substantially more room per inch of body than most types and that they have high filtration needs.
I'd like some ideas of what would be a good tank setup if I wanted, say, 6 goldfish.
First, is it okay to have one each of a few types of similar sized goldfish (I'm drawn to the black moore, some of the bronze varieties, and the calico types)? Or are they like corys in that they like to be with their own specific type?
To conserve space, I'd rather have a tank that's more square, as opposed to the long rectangle, and with more height. Goldfish are more middle swimmers, no?
I.E., I'm thinking of something closer to this:
http
/www.livingcolor.com/img/aquariums/gallery/commercial/4_sm.jpgor this: http
/seaviewaquariums2.com/Custom%20%20Design%20Aquariums/200-gallon-built-in.jpgThan this: http
/www.arburnaquatics.com/images/200Show.jpg. Either way, I'll probably get something custom.
I tend to think the first tank is a little nicer for the fish as they width, depth, and length of moderate sizes, as opposed to a long length with little width and depth. But maybe I'm wrong.
So I'm thinking 200 gallons with and undergravel filter run through a cansister. Am I off base here? I'm not getting the tank for a few months so I have plenty of time to plan this out.
And what about tank mates. I know goldfish are normally only kept with goldfish, but what about a nice plec to work on the algae? Anything else that would get along with them? Snails? A big loach? Any other complementary fish?
Alternatively, would it be better to wait until I have room to build a nice indoor pond? If so, I'm also thinking of doing a nice cichlid tank (or a marine setup!). So many decisions, but I like to work on one thing at a time and really get to know all the ins and outs! I'd like to work out what I'm going to go with and research it for a few months before starting. Anyone with goldfish experience who can help out?
