Aquariums are always a lovely sight to behold, and one of the most popular fish for display is the goldfish.
For goldfish optimized growth and fish health, fish tank size matters. So, the question is: what size tank for 2 goldfish?
How Many Goldfish Can You Have Per Gallon Tank?
Generally, from the gallon/inch rule of thumb for a goldfish, a goldfish needs a 30-gallon tank.
Since 30 gallons is equivalent to 114 liters of water, one goldfish will require a 114-liters of water in the tank. For each additional common goldfish, you’ll need to add 12 extra gallons (more info in upcoming sections).
So, in short, you need roughly a tank size of 40-42 gallons for 2 common goldfish.
Due to the rapid growth of small goldfish, the larger the tank, the lesser the chances of the fish getting sick and the waste building up to pollute the tank.
What Tank Size Is Best for the Needs of a Goldfish?
Finding an appropriately sized tank for your goldfish is one of the first considerations for keeping a healthy aquarium.
Usually, while a 10-gallon tank is okay, a tank of 20 gallons is preferred for a healthy and happy fish.
Since goldfish enjoy company, creating room for more than one goldfish in your tank is important.
Although there’s a myth that common goldfish grow to fit the size of their tank, this is usually the case when they are poorly fed or kept in a tiny space.
To keep 2 goldfish healthy, a tank of 40-gallons, which is about 151 liters of water, will be the minimum requirement. For the comfort of every fish, a smaller tank is less preferred than a bigger tank.
Does The Size of Tank Depend On the Kind of Goldfish?
Different sizes and types of goldfish usually determine the capacity of the tank required to house them.
While slim-bodied goldfish and single-tailed goldfish are smaller, fancy goldfish can grow to become twice the size because of their longer length and greater width.
Also, hooded goldfish will require more space than usual because they’ll need more surface area to take in oxygen from the water.
Considering fish’s high activity and mobility, it’s important to note that a considerably high surface area is recommended for every fish.
Generally, most goldfish prefer tanks that are wider and less deep. This usually gives them enough space for unrestrained movement for good health and vitality.
What Is the Suitable Depth of an Aquarium Used for a Goldfish?
An experienced goldfish keeper will say there are two major designs of tanks used for goldfish aquariums: deep tanks with less longitudinal length and shallow tanks with more surface area.
For instance, fancy goldfish, in relation to common goldfish, are known to be slow swimmers and require tanks with a larger surface area.
Therefore, a rectangular-shaped tank that is long but not too deep will be ideal for most species of goldfish.
What Food Do Goldfish Prefer?
Goldfish feed readily on commercial pellets, flakes, and diced fresh vegetables such as lettuce, zucchini, and peas.
Like other fish, they also enjoy brine shrimp and blood worms. Before adding anything to a goldfish diet, always first get the approval of an aquatic veterinarian.
Since its feeding habit is directly influenced by its surroundings, a small tank is not advisable.
This is because limited spacing can affect its conditioning by favoring an accumulation of more waste, which can lead to stunted growth, illness, or eventual death of the goldfish.
What Size Tank for 2 Goldfish (Fancy Goldfish and Common Goldfish)?
While the general needs of the two most commonly kept goldfish are the same, their required size of the tank slightly differs.
The Common Goldfish
Common goldfish requires a minimum tank capacity of 30 gallons and a 4-foot depth.
However, for more content and free-roaming common goldfish, a volume of 35-40 gallons at a depth of 4.5-5 feet long is highly recommended.
Relatedly, when considering an additional fish, a minimum of 12 additional gallons is required.
However, with the well-being of the fish in mind, a 40-gallon water volume is recommended for a single goldfish.
20 extra gallons for each additional fish (after 1) is ideal for more comfort. In other words, 50 gallons is ideal for a common goldfish need. And if you have two goldfish and want them to “live their best lives,” 50-60 gallons is best.
The Fancy Goldfish
This is a slightly more expensive and ornamental kind of goldfish.
It’s smaller in size and requires less space in comparison with the common goldfish.
A minimum size of a 20-gallon tank and 3 feet in length is required.
However, if there are more goldfish, you can have a tank with a water capacity of 25 gallons and 3.5 feet in length.
A minimum of 10–15 gallons of water increment is recommended for additional fancy goldfish.
Thus, for healthy and content fish, two goldfish should have a minimum tank space of 35 gallons of water at a minimum depth of 3.5 feet.
What If There Is Limited Space for a Large Tank?
When there is little space for your aquarium, you need to consider how many goldfish you can keep.
You can either get smaller-sized and fewer goldfish or opt for a different breed of fish.
Also, you can consider altering the shape of the tank.
A rectangular-shaped aquarium, while taking up less space in the house, offers enough room for the fish to acquire oxygen as well as a considerable shallow depth.
Optionally, an L-shaped aquarium can suffice, as it conserves significant space while offering the fish much-needed space to grow and stay active.
In Conclusion
It should be understood that a healthy goldfish requires more than good food and clean water. It also needs a large space to express its full potential. Bearing in mind the one-inch of fish per gallon rule, the rapid growth of the fish necessitates fewer restrictions and more room to perform its natural activities.
So when making plans on how to keep two of your favorite goldfish, ensure that there is plenty of room in the aquarium for them to move around and be healthy so you can enjoy your fish for many years to come.
Related Articles:
- What Are the Best Goldfish Filter Brands?
- Can I Filter My Fish Bowl?
- Do Fish Get Stressed When Tank Glass Is Tapped On?
- Can Goldfish Get Seizures?
- How Do I Choose Healthy Goldfish?
- How to Stop Goldfish From Breeding?
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