Goldfish can live together. If multiple goldfish are kept in a tank, they will be active and interact with each other. However, all types of goldfish can’t stay together. They should be of similar size and swimming ability to be together. Otherwise, they will end up competing for food and space.
Goldfish are peaceful, fun-loving fish that get along with other goldfish. However, there are certain things to keep in mind when while keeping goldfish together. Let’s talk about them now.
How To Keep Different Types Of Goldfish In The Same Aquarium?
Did you know that there are hundreds of varieties of goldfish?
Common pet store varieties like the comet, common goldfish, and shubunkins have slender bodies and single tails.
Then, there are fancy goldfish varieties. These are double-tail fish with long fins and tails.
These fancy goldfish are bulkier than other types of goldfish.
Their multiple, long fins force them to swim slower than the single-tail goldfish.
Goldish can be either flat-shaped or egg-shaped.
Flat-shape goldfish have streamlined bodies that help them swim fast.
Meanwhile, the fancy varieties have bulky, egg-shape bodies that do not easily cut through the water.
Their elaborate fan tails also slow them down.
Due to this difference in swimming abilities, it is not recommended to keep flat-bodied goldfish with fancy varieties.
The bigger fish, due to their size and slower mobility, would struggle for food. They are also rather fragile.
Many of them have trouble seeing clearly and do not have quick reflexes. It could lead to small goldfish bullying them. So…
If you decide to keep more than one goldfish here are some recommendations:
- Choose goldfish of the same type. Avoid keeping flat-shaped fish and egg-shaped goldfish in the same aquarium.
- If you cannot find two goldfish of the same type, at least make sure that the fish you choose have similar size and swimming ability.
- Keep unusual and rare varieties of fancy goldfish with their kind or other fish that will not nip at its long fins. Check for species compatibility before housing goldfish with other fish. Avoid keeping it with smaller and faster goldfish.
How Many Goldfish Can You Keep Together In The Same Aquarium?
Goldfish can grow quite big. The size it finally achieves will depend on its enclosure.
Take pond goldfish, for instance. They can grow more than their counterparts in indoor aquariums as they live in a bigger space.
Goldfish in favorable environments enjoy long and healthy lives.
It benefits from larger spaces and access to live foods that satisfy their nutritional requirements.
Since goldfish grow indeterminately, keep only as many goldfish as your tank can comfortably accommodate.
The lesser goldfish you keep in your aquarium, the better off it will be.
A small tank or fishbowl restricts the movement of the fish.
Due to inadequate space, its activity level reduces, resulting in stress and stunted growth.
Although the goldfish will survive, it will not thrive.
Now, if you put the same goldfish in a bigger enclosure, it will have more space to swim and exercise.
So, the fish will naturally be much happier and healthier.
Tank Requirements For Different Types Of Goldfish
Each goldfish needs at least 10 gallons of water.
You should not place more than one fancy goldfish in a small tank of 20 gallons.
So, a pair of goldfish will need an aquarium that can hold at least 40 gallons of water.
Although the aquarium may look empty initially, it will be the right environment for your goldfish to grow and thrive.
Over time, your goldfish can grow to between 6 inches and 2 feet long. So, it is sensible to invest in a big tank earlier on.
Or, you will have to upgrade when your fish outgrow their enclosure.
For every new goldfish, you should add at least ten extra gallons of water to prevent overcrowding.
Additionally, your goldfish will have access to space and resources to flourish.
Now, you may have noticed that aquariums at pet shops hold a lot of fish. So, how does it work?
Well, you should remember that these aquariums are only temporary arrangements till the fish find a permanent home.
Also, pet stores clean and maintain the tanks continuously as opposed to a home aquarium.
Nevertheless, it is not an ideal environment for goldfish in the long term.
Maintenance Of Aquariums Containing One Or More Goldfish
You may already know that goldfish defecate into the same water that they live in. Now, isn’t that what all aquarium fish do?
But there is a difference. Goldfish are messier than most other fish.
They eat a lot and eliminate most of what they consume. This process dirties the tank very quickly.
And goldfish are highly affected by water quality. An increase in ammonia levels will impact their health and well-being.
To prevent them from falling sick, you must frequently change their water.
It means that tank maintenance will be an ongoing task for any goldfish owner.
Changing the water too often is costly and difficult. Filtering the water is more practical.
A goldfish filter will temporarily remove the waste from the water and keep it aerated and clean till the next water change.
Although you will still have to clean the filter to keep it running, it is much easier than changing the water every few days.
