Is a 10 gallon tank appropriate for two goldfish?

Question

I have a goldfish, Charlie, in a 2.5 gallon tank right now and I'm upgrading him to a 10 gallon tank. I want him to have a friend since goldfish are school fish, but I'm starting to think that 10 gallons won't be enough space for two fish. At this point I can not afford a larger tank, but I am very fond of my fish and want whats best for him. Should I wait to get a second goldfish until I can get a bigger tank or would he be better off with a friend? This is a common goldfish, the sleek ones you can get for like a quarter at carnivals, and I would pair him with the same kind of fish or another small goldfish for variety. Thanks!

Answer 1

First, moving Charlie to a 10 gallon tank from a 2 gallon tank will improve Charlie's quality of life.



That said, a 10 gallon tank is simply too small for even one goldfish.



Depending on the type of goldfish you have, (single or double-tailed) I would recommend a 20 gallon tank, minumum, for one double-tailed goldfish, and 30 gallons minumum for one single-tailed goldfish. Please bear in mind that these are minumums. Additionally, you will want excellent filtration (preferably a canister filter). You describe Charlie as a common goldfish, but he actually may be a Comet instead (as these are the type most often given in prizes at carnivals). The way to tell the difference is that if his tail is forked, with pointed ends, he's a Comet - if is tail has more rounded ends, then he's a common. Either way, he is a single-tailed goldfish, and will ultimately need at least 30 gallons, all by himself.



If this seems like overkill, I understand, but it really isn't. The single-tailed varieties can easily grow to a foot long or longer given the right conditions, and the double-tailed varieties easily reach 8 to 10 inches. That many goldfish never get nearly this size is usually due to stunted growth caused by being housed in a tank that is too small for them. If you envision what kind of tank size your fish might need as adults, hopefully you'll see why these suggestions aren't overkill at all.



At 2.5 inches, the ten gallon tank will be adequate for Charlie, *for now* (Charlie will grow!), but I think he will be better off if you hold off on getting him a tankmate until you can afford to upgrate to a much larger tank.



Also, when you do upgrade, be sure to read up on the nitrogen cycle, new tank syndrome, and cycling an aquarium if you haven't already. Invest in a water test kit, and be prepared to do frequent partial water changes as needed during the first several weeks Charlie is in his new home.



If you can't get a larger tank now, the 10 gallon tank is still definately an improvement over the 2.5 gallon tank for Charlie. Just keep in mind that you may wish to upgrade again later as Charlie will outgrow the 10 gallon, perhaps sooner than you think.



And if you're wondering, I got started with goldfish when my daughter tossed a ping pong ball in a cup at a fair. I now have a 50 gallon tank (after having learned a little bit about goldfish along the way).



Best of luck!

Answer 2

Long term? No, a 10 gallon is not appropriate for 2 goldfish. They will outgrow it.



A pair of common goldfish need at least a 75 gallon with double filtration. They do grow about a foot long.

Answer 3

No. u have to follow the 1 fish per 10 gallon rule..



One goldfish in a 10-gallon tank might seem like one lonely fish. Goldfish are very friendly toward one another and will even eat from a human hand once they've become accustomed to their caregiver. So if you want to keep more than one goldfish, you will need a bigger tank or an outside natural or man-made pond.



another is that a goldfish gives a lot of waste. so if u put 2 goldfish in a 10 gallon tank it will double the waste..



Goldfish expel a lot of waste. Placing too many goldfish in a tank will result in dirty, cloudy water and could lead to disease or ammonia/nitrate poisoning that will wipe out all the fish in the tank. Likewise, the single goldfish placed in a goldfish bowl will suffer the same fate.



Goldfish, whether they be fantails, fancies or koi, are meant to live outdoors in a pond. They can live past 30 years of age and can grow up to 1 foot long. The common belief that a fish will only grow as big as its environment will let it is simply not true. A goldfish kept in a fishbowl will not be restricted in growth, it will merely die way before its time.



Goldfish require a lot of room to breathe--literally. Too many fish in one tank will deplete the oxygen supply and cause the goldfish to stress and eventually die. Although you can put oxygen into the tank by means of a filter or air hose, goldfish need surface air, and each one requires roughly 1 square foot of surface area per inch of its size.



Aquariums and pet stores aren't in the business of keeping goldfish as pets, so you may very well see many goldfish in one tank. When purchasing a goldfish, there are several things to look for. Make sure the tank water is clean and the fish are swimming around in a healthy manner. They shouldn't be lethargic or breathing too fast; both are signs that the water is low on oxygen, causing the fish to be stressed. Make sure the fins, tail and body are in good condition. Goldfish are covered with a protective slime coat--when it is "eaten" away, the fish is prone to infections.



and another thing if u follow the 10 gallons per fish.. your fish might live to 20-30 years.. (with lots of care)



hope my answer helped.. :)

Answer 4

Like the person before me said, they will out grow it. Get a tank as big as 75 gallons minimum,and then think about getting another gold fish.

Answer 5

Not long term. You will eventually need a 20-35 gallon tank with double filtration.

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Answer 6

Two Goldfish In A Tank