Do goldfish need a partner?

Keeping at least two goldfish in an aquarium is recommended to provide companionship and promote activity. Solitary fish can exhibit depression and lethargy. Goldfish are generally not aggressive so they can be kept with most community fish provided the other fish are larger than the size of the goldfish's mouth.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on kb.rspca.org.au


Can One goldfish live alone?

To answer the question: Yes, goldfish can live alone. In fact, many goldfish can live long, healthy, happy lives all on their own. Just remember, though, not all goldfish will be happy on their own, and some would prefer the company of other tank mates.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on bettacarefishguide.com


Do goldfish like to live together?

Goldfish get along well with most peaceful, similarly sized fish. Fin nippers and boisterous fish should be avoided. If housed without a heater, they should be kept with other fish that are tolerant of cooler water temperatures. They are gregarious, meaning they like to hang around together.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on aqueon.com


Are goldfish happier together?

Goldfish, unlike other fish, are best kept in goldfish only tanks rather than in a tank of, lets say, mixed tropicals. A fish less stressed is a definite happy fish! Your goldfish is very social so get your goldfish some friends (while avoiding overcrowding of course.) Fish company will make your goldfish happy!
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cuteness.com


Should you get 1 or 2 goldfish?

Keeping at least two goldfish in an aquarium is recommended to provide companionship and promote activity. Solitary fish can exhibit depression and lethargy. Goldfish are generally not aggressive so they can be kept with most community fish provided the other fish are larger than the size of the goldfish's mouth.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on kb.rspca.org.au


Should You Keep A Single Goldfish with No Tank Mates?



Do goldfish get depressed or lonely?

While we can never know for sure, there is no indication that goldfish get lonely. It's likely that when you spot a single goldfish that seems lethargic or depressed, it is far more likely that there is a problem with its environment or health than it is that the goldfish is lonely.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on petkeen.com


Do fish get lonely in a tank?

In captivity, it's strongly recommended that they should be kept at least in pairs, to provide companionship. If you watch fish in a tank, you'll see that they regularly engage with other fish. It's thought that solitary fish, much like solitary humans, may begin to suffer from depression and lethargy.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on telegraph.co.uk


What size tank do I need for 2 goldfish?

Based on the rules above, the goldfish tank size we recommend for two goldfish is: 42 gallons for two Common goldfish. That's 30 gallons for the first fish and 12 additional gallons for the second fish.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thegoldfishtank.com


Can 2 goldfish live together in a bowl?

Goldfish can't live in a bowl under any circumstances, no matter the type or size of your goldfish. Goldfish don't grow to their surroundings, they stop growing as a survival mechanism, but there's a catch, their organs don't stop growing. Basically putting a goldfish in a bowl will make them implode.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on pethelpful.com


Can a goldfish live with a Betta?

While betta fish and goldfish can technically live together in the same tank, it must be noted that this can come with great difficulty and health risks to both fish. As such, we recommend that betta fish live with goldfish as a last resort if an emergency arises in one of their separate tanks.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on petmetwice.com


What's the lifespan of a goldfish?

Goldfish have a lifespan averaging about 10-15 years, with some varieties living up to 30 years when provided with proper care. Unfortunately, many goldfish do not reach their lifespan potential due to inadequate housing conditions. Housing needs to meet both their behavioural and physiological needs.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on kb.rspca.org.au


Can goldfish live in tap water?

Goldfish can only live in tap water when it has been properly treated to remove harmful chemicals. What is this? Tap water contains chemicals that will kill all of the 'good bacteria' in your tank. Good bacteria develops through a process called cycling, which we talk about in more detail here.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thegoldfishtank.com


What fish can go with goldfish?

With these ground rules in mind, here are our top 10 tank mates that we have personally tested and found to be compatible with goldfish:
  • Hillstream Loach. ...
  • Brochis multiradiatus. ...
  • Dojo Loach. ...
  • Bristlenose Pleco. ...
  • Rubbernose Pleco. ...
  • White Cloud Mountain Minnows. ...
  • Ricefish. ...
  • Hoplo Catfish.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on aquariumcoop.com


How do I bond with my goldfish?

Giving them wide spaces, a varied diet, and other goldfish to swim with helps them enjoy their daily lives. Once they are used to you, you can use food to interact with them. Try holding food over one side of the tank, then moving it to the other before feeding them. This will encourage the goldfish to follow you.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on wikihow.com


Can goldfish live without a filter?

The belief that goldfish need a filter is incorrect. Goldfish don't actually need filtration and can live long lives, as you may have seen, without filtration. The longest-lived goldfish, Tish, lived to 42 years old in a regular fishbowl.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on petkeen.com


How big is a 1 year old goldfish?

Your goldfish will reach about 2 inches in 6 months. As long as it has adequate nutritional support, it'll reach over 3 inches by the end of its first year.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on petkeen.com


Is 20 gallons enough for 1 goldfish?

So, how many goldfish in a 20-gallon tank? The general rule of thumb is 1 gallon of water per 1 inch of fish. This means a 20-gallon tank is big enough to house 20 small goldfish. It is important for the health and wellbeing of your goldfish that you provide them with adequate space to swim freely.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on petsgal.com


Do goldfish need a heater?

All Goldfish are temperate fish and don't absolutely require a heater, unlike fish like Discus that come from the steamy tropics. But Fancy Goldfish sometimes can't take sudden shifts in temperature like their ancestors can and almost never down to near-freezing.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on buildyouraquarium.com


Do goldfish get bored in tanks?

Fish-keepers sometimes see their pets 'glass surfing' – swimming repeatedly up and down the glass of the tank. This could be the aquatic equivalent of the pacing of a captive tiger that's bored from a lack of stimulation. But the fish could also be stressed from an overcrowded or unfamiliar tank.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on sciencefocus.com


What does a goldfish need?

Goldfish are cold water fish, meaning that they do not require a heater. Goldfish prefer their water between 62 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, goldfish do well in soft water, meaning its alkalinity is higher than its acidity. A goldfish thrives when their water's pH is between 7.0 and 7.4.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on saintfrancis.org


Do fish get attached to their owners?

Surprisingly, science has found that fish are capable of recognizing their owner's face, even if the owner is standing by the tank with other people. Fish can develop an association between something they like, being fed, with the person who feeds them.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on small-pets.lovetoknow.com


How do you know your goldfish is happy?

Your fish are happy and healthy when they:
  1. Swim actively throughout the entire tank, not just hanging out or laying at the bottom, floating near the top or hiding behind plants and ornaments.
  2. Eat regularly and swim to the surface quickly at feeding time.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on aqua-tech.biz


Is it cruel to keep fish as pets?

According to experts, keeping fish in bowls is inhuman for several reasons. Low surface to air ratio, no filters to clean the water and cramped space for the fish are some. Many cities across the world have banned fishbowls altogether.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hindustantimes.com


How do I know if my fish is lonely?

Due to this fact, you can see that betta fish don't truly get 'lonely'. Instead of becoming lonely, they may become bored. Signs of boredom, such as frequently hiding, lack of energy, or lack of appetite, can indicate deeper health issues.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on japanesefightingfish.org


Do goldfish like light?

Yes, goldfish need light and they also need nightly periods of darkness. What is this? Using lights to illuminate your tank and simulate a day / night cycle is beneficial to your goldfish, the overall health of your tank and is an important aspect of successful goldfish care.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on itsafishthing.com
Previous question
What is in chalk?