Goldfish in a 2 gallon tank?

rvaducks · 01-07-2012, 03:01 PM

Ok, Ok, I know that Fancy Goldfish get too big for a 2 gallon tank but I don't mind trading the fish in for a smaller fish when mine gets too big. Question is...How long would this take. If I get a 3/4" goldfish could I keep it for a year? In a room temp tank and not over feeding.

What other suggestions for a mini tank? I know bettas require a heater and I really just want one fish with some character (as opposed to 2 or three schooling fish).

majerah1 · 01-07-2012, 03:07 PM

A goldfish will get too big to fast.I give him a month to start getting cramped.

IMHO,you should get at least a five gallon.A 2 gallon wont cycle easily and you will be cleaning it alot regardless of what fish you decide on.

Kehy · 01-07-2012, 03:13 PM

I agree with Maj. In a tank that small, your best options would be to get a bigger tank, get a heater and good filter, and you could have a betta. If your tank has live plants you could also think about getting some shrimp, cherry reds are pretty cute and easy.
Unfortunately your tank would have to be cycled before you think of shrimp, and it would be better for the fish to cycle it before you get fish. There's an sticky on fishless cycling here: The Fishless Cycle

rvaducks · 01-07-2012, 03:17 PM

I appreciate the advice guys but a larger tank simply isn't possible. I don't mind doing relatively frequent water changes.

Are my only options getting a new goldfish every 3 months or getting a Betta?

Kehy · 01-07-2012, 06:36 PM

As I said, you could have shrimp as well. If it's well planted and cared for, maybe as many as 5-10 cherry reds. I don't know as much about other varieties, but there's also crystal reds, blues, yellows, tigers, blacks...

jbrown5217 · 01-08-2012, 01:18 AM

Sorry to say, but a goldfish really isn't an option. Unless you get a 30 gallon tank you won't be able to properly house a goldfish for very long. Shrimp are a nice option and I personally like snails as well, although the ones in my 10 gallon are currently driving me insane. A betta is another good choice as long as you get a heater.

I know you say that a bigger tank isn't possible, but the difference in length (I am assuming height and depth aren't an issue) between a 2.5 gallon and a standard 10 gallon tank is 8". Not only that, but a with a 10 gallon you are open to getting a much wider variety of fish both schooling and non schooling. For example you could get a dwarf gourami which is a nice colorful fish. You could get a endlers livebears which are a small vibrant fish (only get to about 1"), a betta fish, white cloud mountain minnows (which I like), you could get away with oto cats I imagine as well, plus many more.

If you really are that limited on space get a heater, a filter, and a betta fish imo.

01-07-2012, 03:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
rvaducks Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2 Name: Benjamin Colbert Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Goldfish in a 2 gallon tank? Ok, Ok, I know that Fancy Goldfish get too big for a 2 gallon tank but I don't mind trading the fish in for a smaller fish when mine gets too big. Question is...How long would this take. If I get a 3/4" goldfish could I keep it for a year? In a room temp tank and not over feeding. What other suggestions for a mini tank? I know bettas require a heater and I really just want one fish with some character (as opposed to 2 or three schooling fish).

01-07-2012, 03:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
majerah1 Wild betta tamer majerah1's Photo Gallery Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 4,294 Name: Beverly D Fincannon Location: Easley,SC My location Feedback: 13 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2,732 Times Said "Thanks" 547 Times Was Thanked 1,126 Times in 1,011 Posts	Re: Goldfish in a 2 gallon tank? A goldfish will get too big to fast.I give him a month to start getting cramped. IMHO,you should get at least a five gallon.A 2 gallon wont cycle easily and you will be cleaning it alot regardless of what fish you decide on. __________________ http://bountifulbettas.blogspot.com/ "Come to the dark side....we have cookies...and filters/heaters/and water changes!"

01-07-2012, 03:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
Kehy master of the mini-tank Kehy's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 1,196 Name: Kehy Location: Ellensburg, Washington Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 374 Times Said "Thanks" 84 Times Was Thanked 334 Times in 324 Posts	Re: Goldfish in a 2 gallon tank? I agree with Maj. In a tank that small, your best options would be to get a bigger tank, get a heater and good filter, and you could have a betta. If your tank has live plants you could also think about getting some shrimp, cherry reds are pretty cute and easy. Unfortunately your tank would have to be cycled before you think of shrimp, and it would be better for the fish to cycle it before you get fish. There's an sticky on fishless cycling here: The Fishless Cycle __________________ Lead me not to temptation...I can make it there myself just fine, thank you

01-07-2012, 03:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
rvaducks Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2 Name: Benjamin Colbert Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Goldfish in a 2 gallon tank? I appreciate the advice guys but a larger tank simply isn't possible. I don't mind doing relatively frequent water changes. Are my only options getting a new goldfish every 3 months or getting a Betta?

01-07-2012, 06:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
Kehy master of the mini-tank Kehy's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 1,196 Name: Kehy Location: Ellensburg, Washington Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 374 Times Said "Thanks" 84 Times Was Thanked 334 Times in 324 Posts	Re: Goldfish in a 2 gallon tank? As I said, you could have shrimp as well. If it's well planted and cared for, maybe as many as 5-10 cherry reds. I don't know as much about other varieties, but there's also crystal reds, blues, yellows, tigers, blacks... __________________ Lead me not to temptation...I can make it there myself just fine, thank you

Members currently in the chatroom: 0
	The most chatters online in one day was 16, 03-02-2012. No one is currently using the chat.

01-08-2012, 01:18 AM	#6 (permalink)
jbrown5217 No Title Needed jbrown5217's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 657 Name: Jon Location: Currently live in Nashua, NH for school, but home is in Wilbraham, MA My location Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 100 Times Said "Thanks" 38 Times Was Thanked 116 Times in 110 Posts	Re: Goldfish in a 2 gallon tank? Sorry to say, but a goldfish really isn't an option. Unless you get a 30 gallon tank you won't be able to properly house a goldfish for very long. Shrimp are a nice option and I personally like snails as well, although the ones in my 10 gallon are currently driving me insane. A betta is another good choice as long as you get a heater. I know you say that a bigger tank isn't possible, but the difference in length (I am assuming height and depth aren't an issue) between a 2.5 gallon and a standard 10 gallon tank is 8". Not only that, but a with a 10 gallon you are open to getting a much wider variety of fish both schooling and non schooling. For example you could get a dwarf gourami which is a nice colorful fish. You could get a endlers livebears which are a small vibrant fish (only get to about 1"), a betta fish, white cloud mountain minnows (which I like), you could get away with oto cats I imagine as well, plus many more. If you really are that limited on space get a heater, a filter, and a betta fish imo. __________________

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)