AboutBrit Brit Expertise I can answer your questions about Bettas, most Freshwater Tropical Fish, compatibility between tropical freshwater fish, tips on how to set up a new aquarium, what fish to add, what temperature your tank should be at, etc.
I can answer questions about goldfish, and I know a bit about aquarium plants.
I can't answer questions concerning anything marine, and I know next to nothing about ponds, and even less about Cichlid breeding. So please don't ask.
If I am not sure about something, I will try to research it for you and get back to you very quickly.
I cannot magically cure your fish over the web, unfortunately, so please remember your fish's health depends solely on you.
Also, don't expect a detailed answer if I have not been given a detailed question. I can only do so much!
Details, details, details!!
(It does state what I need on the Ask A Question Page)
Experience I take care of over 3000 fish daily. I worked at Petsmart for a few years, and have had training in many areas, including aquaria and all the basics to keep fish happy and healthy. I met quite a few experts in the hobby and have learned a lot from them, and they have learned a lot from me :)
Also, I have done a lot of research and studying on my own time about not just fish but a lot of different house pets because I like to help people and help their pets.
Education/Credentials Petsmart training
Adult Diploma
Expert: Brit Brit Date: 6/22/2008 Subject: goldfish
Question I have two goldfish one is a red and white oranda and one is a fantail.I have them in a 5 gal tank it has a filter and a light, I just bought it a week ago. I am not sure if it is a good size my fantails aren't so big one is 2 in. the other is about 1 1/2 in..I also want to know if they will be able to breed in this tank when breeding season comes if they are a male and female?
Answer Unfortunately that tank is way too small for two goldfish. They will grow (if they live that long) to be 6 inches each, and they are very large bodied. You need to have at least a thirty gallon to support two large goldfish. They may seem small now, but they will grow, and if you stifle that growth they will suffer and die prematurely. Goldfish are long lived, they can live over 20 years. Any goldfish that dies before they hit 12 years was not taken care of properly. I understand there is a LOT of misconceptions about goldfish - the worst one being that they can live in a bowl happily throughout their lives. Some people have managed to keep their goldfish alive for even a couple years in a bowl - but you could also survive for a few years in a closet if you had the willpower. But you would not be healthy, and you would not be happy, and the large alien being taking care of you would not understand your language and never recognize your calls for help, and may never realize you can actually live for 100 years! This is the best analogy I can think of when it comes to goldfish.
I beg of you to pick up a book on goldfish - one written by someone who knows what they're talking about - and learn as much as you can about them. They are actually quite interesting, beautiful fish, and I think you would really appreciate the rewards that come from good fish keeping. They are not simply pets, you are creating a small ecosystem in your home and you must play god and balance this ecosystem as close to nature as you possibly can.
So, either take the fish back and get two or three very SMALL fish for your tank - such as tetras or pygmy gouramis, or a few kuhli loaches. OR, get a thirty gallon tank set up as quickly as possible for your two goldfish. It will need a decent filtration system - I always recommend having two - an under gravel filter and a biowheel or canister filter. Those are the best you can get at a pet store.
Until then - do NOT overfeed, do a 40% water change every three days or twice a week, and make sure you're using a gravel vacuum.
If you have any other questions for me, please feel free to write back.
As far as breeding goes - besides the fact that a 5 gallon is 5 times too small for even ONE goldfish, let alone a breeding pair - it's very unlikely that they will breed even if you did happen to get both sexes because of two reasons - goldfish don't reach sexual maturity until age three, (yes, that is three years) when they are around 6 inches. The other being that fish don't really mate based on seasons. For goldfish, there has to be a very specific gradual rise and drop in temperature to trigger spawning. Which I would never recommend trying to breed to a beginner anyway. You may end up very disappointed with a lot of little dead fish. Try to work on keeping THESE fish alive first.
