You can predict their final size based on the type of goldfish and how old they currently are. And surprisingly, goldfish will grow for their entire lives if cared for properly.īy this standard, you should get a tank that will be big enough for fully-sized goldfish of 10-15 years. Knowing how old your goldfish is at the time of purchase will save you the hassle of having to change your tank later.įor example, if your goldfish is one-month old, they still have several years of life ahead of them. Goldfish with hoods typically include Lionheads, Ranchus, and Orandas. They use this extra surface to oxygen more easily. Their hoods make it harder for them to breathe, so they need a tank with more surface area for water. In fact, if you get a fancy goldfish, you should assume that it will grow double the size of a single-tailed goldfish.Īdditionally, if you have goldfish with hoods, they need larger tanks. They’re longer in length and larger in width as well. Tank Size Also Depends on the Kind of Goldfish You Haveĭepending on whether you have fancy or slim-bodied goldfish, they’ll need differently sized tanks.įancy goldfish tend to grow to bigger sizes. That’s why you need a tank that’s big enough for at least 2 or 3 goldfish at a time. They’ll get depressed and may even die if they’re left to live a lonely life by themselves. Unlike some other species of fish, goldfish prefer being around other fish. This is because its water doesn’t get contaminated as quickly as a smaller tank.
They need time to adjust to the heat and cold, so a larger tank keeps them healthier. Regularly experiencing a disturbance in the water temperature can make your fish sick and stressed. When changing an aquarium’s water, your fish undergo a shock from the temperate change. This is because fish waste and pollution build up pretty fast in a smaller space. Smaller tanks need more maintenance, such as regular cleaning and water changes. Alone, they can live in a 10-gallon tank, but to be happy they need at least 20 gallons.Īnd if you’re aiming for 3 or more goldfish (which is preferred), then 60 gallons is a safe size to opt for.įor 6-8 goldfish, a 120 to 160-gallon tank is the optimum size. This ratio is suitable for smaller goldfish, which grow to 6” on average. This means that in order to keep two goldfish healthy, content, and able to breathe and feed freely, you should have a 40-gallon tank. What Size Tank Is Right for Goldfish?Īre you thinking of the long-term and want to invest in a tank that will keep your fish healthy and happy? Some fish owners go by the rule of 20 gallons of water per fish. There are several other factors, apart from the size, which may help you find an appropriately sized tank for your fish. It also reduces the chances of the disease spreading from one fish to another.Įven if you follow the one-inch of fish per gallon rule, keep in mind that goldfish grow very rapidly and will need a bigger tank soon. The larger your tank, the fewer the chances of fish waste building up, your fish getting sick or stressed, and pollution in the tank. Tanks usually come in sizes from 2.5 gallons to 210 gallons.