donkey - 2011-05-18 I used to have 3 common gold fish that grew to be about 6 inches long. I had a red and white one named Charlie, an orange one w/ a black lip named Hitler (I mean come on, what else are you gonna name a fish w/ a little Hitler stache?) and then a solid orange one named Sadaam. Hitler was the first to be named because of his markings, Charlie came second and I figured since we were going w/ war names (you're always looking for Charlie in the jungle, Hitler was a mass murdering tyrant) I decided Sadaam (an extreme terrorist) was appropriate. That was several years. I have recently set up a new tank after years of not having one and my water is ready for some tester goldfish. And given the recent events in the world I have decided to look for fumbling idiot ( and name it Bush), a hidey-hole sneaky fish (name it Osama) and an aggressive trigger happy fish (and name it Cheney).
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Charlie Roche - 2011-05-19 I like those names. Keep on going. Good for you.
donkey - 2011-05-20 So here's an update. I got 6 feeder gold fish from Petco. By the time I got them home I had 2 casualties. So that sucked. It wasnt a long driver either. So yesterday my husband went to the store and got the duds exchanged. He brought home two new good ones. So I've got a silver one that just lolly-gags along that everybody picks on (he's Bush). I got an orange one w/ lots of black on him (that one's Osama) and a solid orange one that keeps trying to harass everyone (so he's Cheney) I also have a mostly red w/ some white one that my son named Shrimpy. (he's 8.) then we have an orange one that has like a black mohawk. (for the moment we are calling him Mr. T until we think of something better) and then a mostly white w/ some red that we haven't named yet. So I am open to suggestions. Feel free to reply and throw out some names for Mr. T and nameless.
Ps. All six fish are very happy and active.
donkey - 2011-06-02 UPDATE: So now I'm down to 2 fish, Osama and Shrimpy. My water is perfect. My filter rocks and I feed them regularly. I've never had this problem keeping gold fish before. Needless to say I'm not happy with the quality of the stock from the PETCO in Bastrop, TX. I went in the other day to pick up a few more and of the dozen or so they had and only 2 were swimming. They were supposed to get more yesterday so I might go back today and look at the fresh stock. Otherwise I may pick some up the next time I'm in austin.
donkey - 2011-06-02 UPDATE: So now I'm down to 2 fish, Osama and Shrimpy. My water is perfect. My filter rocks and I feed them regularly. I've never had this problem keeping gold fish before. Needless to say I'm not happy with the quality of the stock from the PETCO in Bastrop, TX. I went in the other day to pick up a few more and of the dozen or so they had and only 2 were swimming. They were supposed to get more yesterday so I might go back today and look at the fresh stock. Otherwise I may pick some up the next time I'm in austin.
Jessica - 2011-05-12 How do you know when there is a difference in a goldfish gender?
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Charlie Roche - 2011-05-12 Although is it impossible to sex Goldfish when they are young and not in breeding season, the male is usually smaller and more slender that the female. In the breeding season the male has white prickles, called breeding tubercles, on its gill covers and head. Seen from above the female will have a fatter appearance as she is carrying eggs.
coree - 2011-04-20 I have 2 common goldfish. Their names are Stripey and Mr. White. I use to have 10 but they died from ick.
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Charlie Roche - 2011-04-20 I am glad you have Stripey and Mr. White. Having fish is not easy at times and there is always a learning curve. Stripey and Mr. White are great names.
Britany - 2007-01-22 You know, I used to have 2 Feeder Goldfish; AKA common goldfish. I had them for a good 5 months. they'd grown to be about 5 inches long. they were both so adorable. I also had them with an Oranda, and 2 Calico Fantails in a 20 gallon aquarium. I thought that they were lonely and needed a friend, so I got them a little comet. He was so adorable, but I didn't think he would do any harm to the tank and the rest of the fish. Well, this is what happened. He was sick. The newbie was sick with ick and soon died. And then my other fish had gotten red stripes down their tails as if they were really stressed out and then had little white specks. I didn't want them to die and neither did my mother, but crud happens. They all died. That was one extremely tragic night for me when the last one that had survived for 3 days; (the others didn't last as long), which was a feeder, died. OMG, I was crying so much. It taught me a huge lesson, never add any fish to the tank when it has already been established. (ESPECIALLY if that fish is from Petco). I'd never buy my fish from there ever again. Such sick fish they have in those feeder tanks, boy. The only fish I'll be getting from there ever again is the betta. I got 2 of my bettas from that place, and 1 from Scuffy's Pet Center in Wayne, NJ. The 2 that I got from Petco are great, but the one from Scuffy's seems to be sick. And I got him a long while ago. I trust Scuffy's, I just don't trust Petco. Anyway, Feeder Goldfish (Commons) are great fish. They rock! I love them ever so much. Very strong fish. If you don't have one, get one! They rule!
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Josh spear - 2011-03-09 Petco is the WORST place to get fish I had a saltwater tank setup and had been running for a month and had cycled and they sold me a grouper that wouldn't touch it's food and died so I took it to the store and they said I didn't take good enough care of it I feed it all the food they recommended for it I was pissed off.
cassiopeia - 2009-12-28 Goldfish must be the most neglected pet ever. I work in a petshop and am constantly bombarded...! One woman came in asking for a goldfish bowl, I told her why we don't stock them and how bad they are for fish. She paused for a minute then said, the garden centre sells them and would she need a small one cos she only wanted 2 small goldfish! I had to bite my tongue, then tryed explaining that goldfish can reach up to 14" and live to around 20 years with the proper care and attention! None of which sunk in, and I know that she probably went to the garden centre where they'll sell anything to make money. I admit I've had my share of beginners mistakes, but my goldfish I've had since I was 5, only passed away 2 weeks ago at a grand age of 15! Also my 1st shubunkin was 10 when he sadly passed on! and I feel they could have been kept better. They were in a 3ft jewel aquarium with only live plants and 1 feed a day, but they could have done with a 4 or 5 foot tank. I took on a new comet goldfish from a man who was moving home and couldn't take poor "sharky" with him. He is almost 1ft in length and is 14 years old, he has a deformed spine and his pectorial fins are tiny, curved up and quite useless! This may have been from a bacterial infection or possibly because his tank was ridiculously undersized! Anyway thats quite enough ranting for one day, the bottom line is don't buy bowls or tiny plastic boxes for goldfish. They need a really good filtered tank, 2ft to start with as long as you're prepared to save up for a larger tank for when your fish grows. Provide live plants for decor an food (they also improve water quality) and always use tapsafe as water companies sometimes add new chemicals to the water. Hope this rant is listened too and acted upon! (big fish need a big tank)
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Lucky - 2010-10-03 Will goldfish get along with some other fish, like, um, maybe catfish or some other fish that's larger than the goldfish is? Or will it get eaten? =(
jenna morris - 2011-01-31 At my old apartment complex my landlord came to me with over 30 baby commons in a 10 gallon tank that had been abandoned. First thing I did was go buy a 50 gallon tank and start an adoption program. I hit the web looking for how to care for them all but one was adopted. We named him piggy. He is now a spry 6 years old and thriving. I'm saving for a bigger tank! I agree with you. People don't see fish as the wonderful part of the animal kingdom they are. I keep up with piggy's brothers and sisters as best I can. To me they're like abused rescued children.
kat - 2011-01-03 Gold fish is about to die, seems they have too much slime coat on them, they have a fog over their eyes, what is it and how can I save them? Help.
Brenna - 2010-12-21 Hello, I have a question. Right now, I have 2 goldfish one fan tail and a common. I know that commons can get very big. In a few days I am getting a 46 gallon 36X16X24 bow front aquarium. Then I will be purchasing another fan tail and a black moor. My question is, do you think that there will be enough space for them? Thanks for your advice ! :)
LunaWolf - 2009-12-31 ...Ergh. The Goldfish live twice as long as dogs, and can grow over 12". Bragging that your goldfish lived for a year is like bragging that your dog lived for 6 months! You CANNOT keep a goldfish in a bowl, they might survive for a month or two if your lucky, but they WILL DIE! They grow over a foot long; how would they even fit?! Single tailed goldfish need at LEAST a 50 gallon tank with at least a 100 gph filter, but in the end they are POND FISH, not BOWL FISH. Some people say they'll grow to the size of their bowl, yeah maybe. But only on the outside. Their internal organs won't stop growing though and they'll be literally crushed to death on the inside. Lovely, huh? The U.S. is one of the only civilised countries that haven't banned bowls yet. Honestly, some people just shouldn't have animals.
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angie - 2010-02-26 It's a shame the "some" animal lovers are as judgemental as you. I commend Elizabeth for trying...
Lady - 2010-09-06 I agree with Angie. And sometimes you have to start small until you can do better. I have 3 common goldfish in a half gallon tank meant for bettas. Its the best I could do for the moment. I'll be upgrading to at least a 5 gal in a few days, and then saving money to oufit a big tank. Just because I'm poor doesn't mean my son doesn't deserve to have his fish. I change the water once or twice a day and they are doing great. They're more active than they were in the tank at the store. They eat well, are healthy, with no signs of any disease, and seem happy as can be.
chad record - 2010-11-20 I am new to tanks...I have a 30 gallon tank with a good filtration system, ...anyway w/ the tank came two 5 to 6 inch goldfish and 3 red eyes, I have added 6 goldfish, 1 survived so far, 3 danios, 3 mollies, and a plecostamus(excuse my ignorance). Anyway when does a fish get too big, and then what do I do....they are fish, but still my pet....
caroline giles - 2010-10-14 I have two ordinary common goldfish. They spawned. I have about 100 fry now they are two months old I have noticed that some of them have like a three prong tail. Can anyone tell me what kind of fish these are? The mum and dad have ordinary common fish tails.
Goldfish are fun to watch... just look at all the different colors of these beautiful fish!
I used to have 3 common gold fish that grew to be about 6 inches long. I had a red and white one named Charlie, an orange one w/ a black lip named Hitler (I mean come on, what else are you gonna name a fish w/ a little Hitler stache?) and then a solid orange one named Sadaam. Hitler was the first to be named because of his markings, Charlie came second and I figured since we were going w/ war names (you're always looking for Charlie in the jungle, Hitler was a mass murdering tyrant) I decided Sadaam (an extreme terrorist) was appropriate. That was several years. I have recently set up a new tank after years of not having one and my water is ready for some tester goldfish. And given the recent events in the world I have decided to look for fumbling idiot ( and name it Bush), a hidey-hole sneaky fish (name it Osama) and an aggressive trigger happy fish (and name it Cheney).
I like those names. Keep on going. Good for you.
So here's an update. I got 6 feeder gold fish from Petco. By the time I got them home I had 2 casualties. So that sucked. It wasnt a long driver either. So yesterday my husband went to the store and got the duds exchanged. He brought home two new good ones. So I've got a silver one that just lolly-gags along that everybody picks on (he's Bush). I got an orange one w/ lots of black on him (that one's Osama) and a solid orange one that keeps trying to harass everyone (so he's Cheney) I also have a mostly red w/ some white one that my son named Shrimpy. (he's 8.) then we have an orange one that has like a black mohawk. (for the moment we are calling him Mr. T until we think of something better) and then a mostly white w/ some red that we haven't named yet. So I am open to suggestions. Feel free to reply and throw out some names for Mr. T and nameless.
Ps. All six fish are very happy and active.
UPDATE:
So now I'm down to 2 fish, Osama and Shrimpy. My water is perfect. My filter rocks and I feed them regularly. I've never had this problem keeping gold fish before. Needless to say I'm not happy with the quality of the stock from the PETCO in Bastrop, TX. I went in the other day to pick up a few more and of the dozen or so they had and only 2 were swimming. They were supposed to get more yesterday so I might go back today and look at the fresh stock. Otherwise I may pick some up the next time I'm in austin.
UPDATE:
So now I'm down to 2 fish, Osama and Shrimpy. My water is perfect. My filter rocks and I feed them regularly. I've never had this problem keeping gold fish before. Needless to say I'm not happy with the quality of the stock from the PETCO in Bastrop, TX. I went in the other day to pick up a few more and of the dozen or so they had and only 2 were swimming. They were supposed to get more yesterday so I might go back today and look at the fresh stock. Otherwise I may pick some up the next time I'm in austin.
How do you know when there is a difference in a goldfish gender?
Although is it impossible to sex Goldfish when they are young and not in breeding season, the male is usually smaller and more slender that the female. In the breeding season the male has white prickles, called breeding tubercles, on its gill covers and head. Seen from above the female will have a fatter appearance as she is carrying eggs.
I have 2 common goldfish. Their names are Stripey and Mr. White. I use to have 10 but they died from ick.
I am glad you have Stripey and Mr. White. Having fish is not easy at times and there is always a learning curve. Stripey and Mr. White are great names.
You know, I used to have 2 Feeder Goldfish; AKA common goldfish. I had them for a good 5 months. they'd grown to be about 5 inches long. they were both so adorable. I also had them with an Oranda, and 2 Calico Fantails in a 20 gallon aquarium. I thought that they were lonely and needed a friend, so I got them a little comet. He was so adorable, but I didn't think he would do any harm to the tank and the rest of the fish. Well, this is what happened. He was sick. The newbie was sick with ick and soon died. And then my other fish had gotten red stripes down their tails as if they were really stressed out and then had little white specks. I didn't want them to die and neither did my mother, but crud happens. They all died. That was one extremely tragic night for me when the last one that had survived for 3 days; (the others didn't last as long), which was a feeder, died. OMG, I was crying so much. It taught me a huge lesson, never add any fish to the tank when it has already been established. (ESPECIALLY if that fish is from Petco). I'd never buy my fish from there ever again. Such sick fish they have in those feeder tanks, boy. The only fish I'll be getting from there ever again is the betta. I got 2 of my bettas from that place, and 1 from Scuffy's Pet Center in Wayne, NJ. The 2 that I got from Petco are great, but the one from Scuffy's seems to be sick. And I got him a long while ago. I trust Scuffy's, I just don't trust Petco. Anyway, Feeder Goldfish (Commons) are great fish. They rock! I love them ever so much. Very strong fish. If you don't have one, get one! They rule!
Petco is the WORST place to get fish I had a saltwater tank setup and had been running for a month and had cycled and they sold me a grouper that wouldn't touch it's food and died so I took it to the store and they said I didn't take good enough care of it I feed it all the food they recommended for it I was pissed off.
Goldfish must be the most neglected pet ever. I work in a petshop and am constantly bombarded...! One woman came in asking for a goldfish bowl, I told her why we don't stock them and how bad they are for fish. She paused for a minute then said, the garden centre sells them and would she need a small one cos she only wanted 2 small goldfish! I had to bite my tongue, then tryed explaining that goldfish can reach up to 14" and live to around 20 years with the proper care and attention! None of which sunk in, and I know that she probably went to the garden centre where they'll sell anything to make money. I admit I've had my share of beginners mistakes, but my goldfish I've had since I was 5, only passed away 2 weeks ago at a grand age of 15! Also my 1st shubunkin was 10 when he sadly passed on! and I feel they could have been kept better. They were in a 3ft jewel aquarium with only live plants and 1 feed a day, but they could have done with a 4 or 5 foot tank. I took on a new comet goldfish from a man who was moving home and couldn't take poor "sharky" with him. He is almost 1ft in length and is 14 years old, he has a deformed spine and his pectorial fins are tiny, curved up and quite useless! This may have been from a bacterial infection or possibly because his tank was ridiculously undersized! Anyway thats quite enough ranting for one day, the bottom line is don't buy bowls or tiny plastic boxes for goldfish. They need a really good filtered tank, 2ft to start with as long as you're prepared to save up for a larger tank for when your fish grows. Provide live plants for decor an food (they also improve water quality) and always use tapsafe as water companies sometimes add new chemicals to the water.
Hope this rant is listened too and acted upon! (big fish need a big tank)
Will goldfish get along with some other fish, like, um, maybe catfish or some other fish that's larger than the goldfish is? Or will it get eaten? =(
At my old apartment complex my landlord came to me with over 30 baby commons in a 10 gallon tank that had been abandoned. First thing I did was go buy a 50 gallon tank and start an adoption program. I hit the web looking for how to care for them all but one was adopted. We named him piggy. He is now a spry 6 years old and thriving. I'm saving for a bigger tank! I agree with you. People don't see fish as the wonderful part of the animal kingdom they are. I keep up with piggy's brothers and sisters as best I can. To me they're like abused rescued children.
Gold fish is about to die, seems they have too much slime coat on them, they have a fog over their eyes, what is it and how can I save them? Help.
Would a goldfish (comet or common) ever eat another fish?(particularily a Chinese Algae Eater)
It all depends on how big they are.
Hello, I have a question. Right now, I have 2 goldfish one fan tail and a common. I know that commons can get very big. In a few days I am getting a 46 gallon 36X16X24 bow front aquarium. Then I will be purchasing another fan tail and a black moor. My question is, do you think that there will be enough space for them?
Thanks for your advice ! :)
...Ergh. The Goldfish live twice as long as dogs, and can grow over 12". Bragging that your goldfish lived for a year is like bragging that your dog lived for 6 months! You CANNOT keep a goldfish in a bowl, they might survive for a month or two if your lucky, but they WILL DIE! They grow over a foot long; how would they even fit?! Single tailed goldfish need at LEAST a 50 gallon tank with at least a 100 gph filter, but in the end they are POND FISH, not BOWL FISH. Some people say they'll grow to the size of their bowl, yeah maybe. But only on the outside. Their internal organs won't stop growing though and they'll be literally crushed to death on the inside. Lovely, huh? The U.S. is one of the only civilised countries that haven't banned bowls yet. Honestly, some people just shouldn't have animals.
It's a shame the "some" animal lovers are as judgemental as you. I commend Elizabeth for trying...
I agree with Angie. And sometimes you have to start small until you can do better. I have 3 common goldfish in a half gallon tank meant for bettas. Its the best I could do for the moment. I'll be upgrading to at least a 5 gal in a few days, and then saving money to oufit a big tank. Just because I'm poor doesn't mean my son doesn't deserve to have his fish. I change the water once or twice a day and they are doing great. They're more active than they were in the tank at the store. They eat well, are healthy, with no signs of any disease, and seem happy as can be.
I am new to tanks...I have a 30 gallon tank with a good filtration system, ...anyway w/ the tank came two 5 to 6 inch goldfish and 3 red eyes, I have added 6 goldfish, 1 survived so far, 3 danios, 3 mollies, and a plecostamus(excuse my ignorance). Anyway when does a fish get too big, and then what do I do....they are fish, but still my pet....
I have two ordinary common goldfish. They spawned. I have about 100 fry now they are two months old I have noticed that some of them have like a three prong tail. Can anyone tell me what kind of fish these are? The mum and dad have ordinary common fish tails.