First Time Gold Fish Owner

[Ophelia]

Hi everyone,

First of all my apologies if I am posting in the wrong section.

My boys and I are the happy owners of 2 comets, 1 fantail and 6 cloud fish, all kept together in the one 25L desktop aquarium. We have had our new additions for a little over a week now and so far everyone seems happy. Scales are shiny and there is plenty of movement in the tank.

My first concern is "do I have too many fish in the one tank ?", I was told at the pet store that my 25L tank would be fine but after doing some research, I'm really worried they may be overcrowded (the 2 comets and the fantail are small). My next worry is, "do one of my comets have the early stages of Ich?", again after looking around the web, I noticed the disease and after looking at my little comet (Cosmo), I've noticed some white spots on his back tail fin, there do not seem to be any other white spots on him anywhere else and after looking around the web again, I'm confused as to weather it could be breeding stars...

OK one last pestery question, I've notice that of a night time, Cosmo and Klaus (the 2 comets) get really quiet and just kind of float in the one spot while the little fantail (Nim) merrily swims around looking for food, is this normal behaviour or should I be concerned ??

As for the little cloud fish, (all of them named "The Rodgers", not my idea by the way lol) they are all seem fine and do not seem bothered by the other 3.

Any help or advice from you knowledgeable fish owners out there would be very much appreciated. I'll attach some pictures of Cosmo, Nim and Klaus in the hope that it may help answer my concerns. The white spots are on the little orange comet (Cosmo) and seem to be on the bottom part of his back tail fin. The photos are not very good but I'm still hoping that someone may have an answer.

Kindest regards

 

[Poloboy]

nice

 

[reptileguy2727]

Tank is WAY too small.

The comets will eventually eat the white cloud mountain minnows.

Comets can grow to over a foot. They should be in very large tanks (ideally 125 gallons or more).

It is generally recommended that comets and fantails are not housed together because 1-the comets get too large and 2-the comets will outcompete the fantails for food.

For fantails the guide is 20 gallons for one and an additional ten gallons for each additional goldfish.

I couldn't tell from the picture if ich is starting.

In that size tank I would only recommend the white cloud mountain minnows. I recommend you either buy a larger tank for the goldfish or return them to the pet store. They will not work out in that tank.

I wrote a couple articles on goldfish so if you want a link to them just PM me.

 

[Redearsunfish]

1. The tank is way way too small for even one fish. The clouds would be fine but that's it.
2. 20 gallons at least per goldfish. I typically go with 30.
3. Filtration needs to be heavy duty, with ample water changes.

I know its a tough and expensive lesson to learn, but proper fish husbandry is essential.

 

[L!NUS]

Yea, your going to need a bigger tank. I have quite a few Comets that are almost a ft.

 

[MonsterMinis]

Yes your overstocked. and I would agree the white clouds should be fine in there by themselves but the goldfish need a bigger home. I would suggest a 4'long 18"wide footprint for your goldfish if you decide to keep them all. a standard 75gallon would fit this bill as would a tall 90 gallon. I've kept comets and fantails together just fine, but it doesn't always work. You just have to make sure the fantails are getting food.

And if you haven't already, invest in a water test kit and start testing your water. Water quality is the most important thing you can do to maintain good long-term health. not to mention is the first step in disease prevention/cureing.

I do not see signs of disease but comets are often riddled with it because of how they're commonly bred and kept.

BTW welcome to MFK.

as for the nighttime behavior. fish do sleep. You are most likely catching your comets napping. don't forget your fish need "lights out" time just as much as we do.

 

[Ophelia]

Thank you so much everyone. Great advice. I'm going to do as you all suggested and invest in a bigger tank for the 2 comets and 1 fantail. I'll keep the little cloud fish in the original tank. I'll also get myself a water testing kit.

This is a hard lesson learned, obviously should of researched before buying, however thought I could trust the pet store employees, they actually tried to get me to buy 2 extra comets and with my little boys there with me it was hard to say no. Lucky I said no to the extra 2 comets otherwise I think I would of ended up in more trouble than I am now.

Looks like an expensive weekend coming up for me. My own fault though, I decided to buy the fish so now it's my responsibility to look after them properly. Hope everyone doesn't mind the endless frustrating questions.

Thanks again everyone, much appreciated.

 

[CClump]

Thank you so much everyone. Great advice. I'm going to do as you all suggested and invest in a bigger tank for the 2 comets and 1 fantail. I'll keep the little cloud fish in the original tank. I'll also get myself a water testing kit.

This is a hard lesson learned, obviously should of researched before buying, however thought I could trust the pet store employees, they actually tried to get me to buy 2 extra comets and with my little boys there with me it was hard to say no. Lucky I said no to the extra 2 comets otherwise I think I would of ended up in more trouble than I am now.

Looks like an expensive weekend coming up for me. My own fault though, I decided to buy the fish so now it's my responsibility to look after them properly. Hope everyone doesn't mind the endless frustrating questions.

Thanks again everyone, much appreciated.

I dont believe anyone minds. What you wrote and questions asked is better than what 98% of most new people do, and also better put together than what a lot of people write in general.
I for one applaud you for going right out and getting a newer bigger tank so fast, a lot would just say its a .10cent goldfish so what, when it dies ill get another

 

[CClump]

i need to add i would look used for a new setup, You're likely to save in the hundreds of dollars over buying new

 

[Ophelia]

Thanks a bunch CCump, good idea on looking for a used setup, I have a few days before the weekend so might be able to find something in my local area.

I just want to make sure the poor little fellows are going to be OK, and I agree a lot of people would just say "who cares it's just a goldfish", I reckon if you buy or get a living creature of any sort it's your responsibility to look after it properly, I also reckon how you treat your animals and pets reflects on the person you are......

Thanks for the advice. Kind regards,