How big do goldfish get?

According to National Geographic, goldfish are usually around 7 to 16.1 inches long and weigh 0.2 to 0.6 pounds, but can top 5 pounds in the wild.
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How big can a regular goldfish get?

When they are kept as pets in small fish tanks and aquariums, goldfish tend to stay about 1-2 inches long and never grow larger than 6 inches (15 centimeters), according to the DEC. However, in the wild, goldfish often reach 12 to 14 inches (30 to 35 cm) in length.
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How big can a goldfish get in a 20 gallon tank?

Records of single-tailed goldfish have shown that these fish can get up to 12 inches in captivity! Considering many goldfish keepers expect their goldfish to only grow to a few inches and comfortably live in a 20 gallon for their whole life.
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How large is the largest goldfish?

How big can goldfish grow?
  • Burnsville officials found numerous goldfish the size of a football. The largest goldfish weighed four pounds and spanned 15 inches, per CNN.
  • The largest wild goldfish on record was caught in South Carolina last year and weighed nine pounds, reported USA Today.
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Do goldfish get lonely?

Goldfish are just not the same as humans – they're not social animals in the same way that we are, and they don't have the same capacity to get bored or long for companionship. In fact, many of the longest living goldfish have been kept alone, with no obvious harm to their well being.
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How Big Do Goldfish Get?



Can you eat a pet goldfish?

Can you eat goldfish? The short answer is goldfish are as edible as any other freshwater fish; however, they are most likely not very tasty. Goldfish would taste of the foods that they eat – so, for example, a pet goldfish would probably taste a bit like fish flakes and pellets!
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Can 2 goldfish live together?

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.
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Can I put 1 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.
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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.
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How often should you feed goldfish?

Feed 2-3 times daily. It is important to avoid overfeeding goldfish as this can cause indigestion and/or contaminate the tank. In terms of the amount to feed, a good rule of thumb is to only feed an amount that the goldfish can consume in under two minutes or only feed as much as the size of the goldfish's eye.
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How can you tell a goldfish's age?

The scales are made up of concentric rings which are formed closer together during cold weather when there is little fish growth, and further apart in warm conditions when the goldfish are growing more quickly. By counting the bands of closely spaced rings, the age of the fish can be determined.
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What size tank does a goldfish need?

A good rule of thumb is to choose a tank with at least 10 gallons of water for every goldfish. So, if you have two goldfish, you'll need a 20-gallon tank. Your goldfish will also need plenty of hiding places and places to swim around in their tank.
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Why are goldfish so cheap?

They're mainly so cheap because they're mass bred as feeder fish. If you don't want to have a large tank or pond in the near future, I would recommend returning them to the store as soon as possible. Comet/Common goldfish are indeed sold pretty darn cheap.
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Do goldfish need to be in pairs?

No, goldfish do not need to be in pairs. Goldfish can live alone with no problem. In the wild, goldfish tend to live alone, and because they're not schooling fish either, you don't need to keep them in pairs.
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Why are goldfish so dirty?

Goldfish are not toxic in any way. This myth likely stems from the large amounts of ammonia these fish excrete, but all fish excrete ammonia, not only goldfish. Goldfish do tend to be messy and eat a lot. They are also a heavy-bodied species, so they excrete more waste than other species of smaller sizes.
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Do goldfish need a heater?

Conclusion. In summary: Goldfish don't need heaters – most of the time. If the conditions of your home or outdoor environment get too cold for either fancy or common Goldfish, you may need a heater. Remember that Goldfish are endothermic, meaning their metabolism is controlled by the external environment.
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Do goldfish need pumps in their tanks?

As it has been stated, goldfish do not always require an air pump to survive. It can do well in a tank that is well oxygenated for as long as it normally can. As long as there is enough surface movement that translates to oxygen, then the goldfish can live just fine without an air pump.
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How long does a goldfish live?

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.
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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.
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What fish can u put 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.
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Why did my goldfish eat my other goldfish?

If goldfish don't have enough space, they may get stressed and eat other fish to clear up the room. Each goldfish needs 10 gallons of water. So if you add a second goldfish to your tank, you will need to have 20 gallons of water, and so on. If the tank is overcrowded, there's likely going to be trouble.
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What is poisonous to goldfish?

Ammonia poisoning is the leading cause of death in goldfish tanks.
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Can goldfish eat tuna?

Carnivorous diet for the goldfish:

red larvae. fruit flies. mussels. tuna.
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How much does a goldfish cost?

The Fish

This is going to be the most variable cost aside from the tank. You can get a feeder goldfish from most big box stores for about $0.18. This will be your typical Common or Comet goldfish. If you're more interested in a fancy goldfish variety, you can find some at big box stores for about $5.
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