WTF is my goldfish doing??

[ChileRelleno]

I used to keep goldfish together with tropicals. The last time I did it was to overwinter a pair of pond goldfish.

I know they survive...but thriving might be another matter and goldies have long natural lifespans. I don't think I'd do it anymore. If I ever had a pond again, I'd probably put the goldies into a large plastic bin to overwinter.

It has been suggested that like turtles/ect, that for some fish the winter hibernation is key to their longevity, debunked in part by similar lifespans of the same critters who's habitats never experince the temps necessary for hibernation.

 

[HarleyK]

Just because someone else improperly houses them doesn't mean that it is ok for everyone to do. I find this especially interesting considering your signature.

 

[Qwerty Brown Pleco]

you could leave the goldfish put the others in a seperate tank and any babies or snails that pop up the goldfish have a treat

 

[RadleyMiller]

IMO goldfish should spend the majority of their life in a pond or a big tank. That is just because they get 8" long, and were bred to be viewed from above so they don't look crazy in a pond like they do in the tank. Admit it, fancy goldfish look plain creepy in a tank, but when viewed from above, look awesome. So unless you want a monster tank for goldfish, give them a pond and get some other monsters for the tank.

 

[ChileRelleno]

Just because someone else improperly houses them doesn't mean that it is ok for everyone to do. I find this especially interesting considering your signature.

Your working on the misconception that Goldfish, Koi and Carp have a fairly limited ideal temp range...
When the actuality is that as long as the temp isn't a extreme, then they have no ideal temp, they will be satisfactory with anything in the range of mid 60's to upper 70's.

Would I keep them in cold water (60'F<), NO, not unless overwintering with proper acclimation and habitat.
Would I keep them in 80'F> water, say with Discus at 84'F, NO... Heck, I wouldn't recommend keeping most tropicals at temps 80'F> unless it is for growout or treatment.
Why would I not do these things?...
Becuase I do CARE.

Improperly housed...
As long as the habitat is of sufficient size, properly filtered and the fish are fed a good diet regularly.
As long as the water temps are fairly constant and not extreme...
Then these fish are properly housed.


If you go by some 'Ideal Temps' for these fish, then you'd dang well better have a chiller or a deep well shaded pond.
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[ChileRelleno]

IMO goldfish should spend the majority of their life in a pond or a big tank. That is just because they get 8" long, and were bred to be viewed from above so they don't look crazy in a pond like they do in the tank. Admit it, fancy goldfish look plain creepy in a tank, but when viewed from above, look awesome. So unless you want a monster tank for goldfish, give them a pond and get some other monsters for the tank.

8" ....
Oh brother, ya know how many people pull 12"> Comets out of their local ponds?

While some of the fancies were indeed bred to viewed from above, e.g. Celestials/Lionheads, for the most part it is Koi that were bred for such.

 

[Horiyoshi III]

goldfish have the shortest memory in nature. They forget every 5-7 seconds. That is why it always eats.

ummmmmmmmmthen how do they know to keep going to the same spot at the surface to eat,if mem-loss was the case they'd eat all over the place,mine goes to the SAME spot................they remember thingd dude,trust me.

 

[boofish2]

Y'know, I think it's really messed up that someone alluded to the fact that goldies are dumb just because they have only a 5 to 7 sec.... uh, ummmm, sorry what was I saying? Shoot

 

[RadleyMiller]

8" ....
Oh brother, ya know how many people pull 12"> Comets out of their local ponds?

While some of the fancies were indeed bred to viewed from above, e.g. Celestials/Lionheads, for the most part it is Koi that were bred for such.

I was referring to fancies, but the average goldfish is probalby only 2 inches and lives less than a year, but the expected lifespan is 30 years and max size is 1 foot. Most people don't know how to properly take care of them. My pool comets were huge, but my fantail got 6 inches before the catfish ate it.