My new “fair” goldfish?
Ok, so I won a pretty little goldfish at the fair last night. I named her/him Zipper after a particularly endorphin-inducing ride that we went on. Last night I put him in a small 1 qt bowl, but this morning I transferred him to my five gallon tank. I set the tank up this morning, so Its going to have to cycle with him in it. The tank has gravel on the bottom(red white and blue), a rock and two fake plants, does it need anything else? (Do NOT say more space, or gallons, I’m not buying a new tank just for this one fish from the fair. Can he eat Tetra-Min tropical fish flakes? If not, can I feed him bugs? Ants/spiders and such? He’s red and white, and I think that he is either a small Pond Comet, a fancy goldfish, or just a particularly nice-looking feeder goldfish. I’m going to another fair next weekend and I know that they are schooling fish, should I get him a buddy?
I have a filter that is intended for five gallon tanks, so I’m good there.
A filter is what u really need and some goldfish food but the tropical ones will do for now but dnt get another fish!!
goldfish eat normal fish flakes, and sometimes the algae in your tank. goldfish are particularly messy fish, and they poop a lot, so you need a strong filtration system. they are compatible with most other fish, but like i said, they are very messy, so you would need to clean your tank frequently. temp control is also an issue, so make sure the temperature doesn’t go below 65, or above 85. other than that, you’re set.
He’ll eat damn near anything you give him.
However it’s important to note that he will grow over a foot long and live for 15-20 years or even longer. He’ll need a 55g tank to himself once fully grown and an additional 10-20g per buddy you give him. Keeping him in anything less will stunt his growth and kill him. He’ll also need a filter for a tank twice the size as the one he’s in (so he needs a 10g filter in the 5g and a 100g filter in the 55g). You can keep him in the 5g for awhile but you will need to upgrade or he’ll eventually poison himself with the massive amount of wastes he produces or his organs will crush themselves since while he stops growing externally he will continue to grow internally. If you will not provide this, then you need to find him a proper home and get a proper fish for a 5g tank like a Betta. Anything else is intentionally killing him.
If I were you I would not add much more, because you don’t know the lifespan of County Fair Gold Fish. If you are desperate you could add another rock or a filter. That is up to you!
Food for your fish. I’d just feed my goldfish Tetra-Min Tropical Fish Flakes. I’m pretty sure that is fine.
It depends on the size of the Gold Fish in the fish bowl right now. If you think you can fit another fish in without messing up any of your red and white fishes personal space, then go right ahead.
Good Luck!
1. What else does he need? MORE SPACE.
2. Can he eat tropical flakes/insects? No. Technically yes, but it is not a specially formulated diet for goldfish, and bugs are too high in protein. Goldfish will eat sliced zucchini, lettuce, orange slices, anacharis, and goldfish food. I use Aqueon sinking goldfish granules.
3. Feeder goldfish are usually a mix of commons and comets. A fancy goldfish has a double-tail, while a common/comet goldfish does not.
4. Should you win more? No, and why would you if you have this attitude- “I’m not buying a new tank just for this one fish from the fair”. It’s best not to make worse and already overstocked aquarium. Next time I suggest you boycott fairs that support animal abuse.