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Anyone have a goldfish that kills anything else in the tank? We've named ours Serial Killer Fred, or SKF. We started with two goldfish and within days one died. I thought maybe we just got a sick fish and we bought another. In a couple days it was dead too. Odd. Then a week later the sucker fish died. I've not tried any other fish in there since I don't want to sacrifice any other scaley kids. We brought home a bunch of snails that my aunt had too many of in her tank. I think there were around 15. As of this morning, four months later, there is only one left. I think he's eating them. Is it possible this guy just wants his own bachelor pad? He's in a 20 gallon aquarium.
What kind of goldfish, is it a fancy tailed goldfish, or the more common goldfish you see at carnivals? How old is it? What are you feeding him? Fancy tailed goldfish can have swim bladder problems and even die if fed flakes, but the comets and commons are fine with flakes. Twenty gallons is about the minimum requirement for an adult goldfish, so he might be killing any other fish because he's feeling overcrowded and territorial. A comet will reach a foot or so in length as an adult, which is a tight squeeze in a 20 gallon tank. Is the tank the long type, 30", or is it the tall 20 gallon tank? Comets and commons do better in longer tanks, and fancy tailed goldfish do better in the taller tanks. So there are many reasons why a goldfish could go "bad". Water quality can play a factor, too. And yes, goldfish will eat snails. Really, they will eat just about anything that will fit in their mouths.
Sucker fish, or "plecos" as I think you probably have, can suffer with goldfish just because a faster goldfish gets to the food before it does. Plecos need food too, it's a myth that they live on algae in the tank. In fact I am about to move a bristlenose pleco (the smaller type of pleco which only reaches about 5") out of my goldfish tank for that very reason, they are getting to the food before he does. Also, common plecos grow over a foot in length and die an early death in small aquariums anyway, not sure which type of pleco you had. I think you should keep SKF by himself as that's the minimum size for one goldfish, or try a larger tank. It seems like he's made up his mind that he's going to rule that particular tank.
The OP said it's a common goldfish, not fancy. The goldfish is currently in a 20 gallon tank, the very bare minimum long-term for one common alone. Adding a divider would halve the tank and stunt it's growth.
Fish will often nip others when they are overcrowded. First I would consider it's living conditions, and whether or not they are optimum.
Yep, he's common. I got a 55 gallon set up for him and we've got a two section pond that we'll be putting in out front in the spring. Kicking around letting him cruise around in the pond when it's warmer out and bringing him in for winter. The pond set up is 125 gallons at the top with a waterfall that goes into a 218 gallon. I know I'd need to keep netting over it so he doesn't become lunch for anything. Still not sure if it's the best option for him, but figured we've got time to decide. Until then he has a decent size house.
What kind of goldfish, is it a fancy tailed goldfish, or the more common goldfish you see at carnivals? How old is it? What are you feeding him? Fancy tailed goldfish can have swim bladder problems and even die if fed flakes, but the comets and commons are fine with flakes. Twenty gallons is about the minimum requirement for an adult goldfish, so he might be killing any other fish because he's feeling overcrowded and territorial. A comet will reach a foot or so in length as an adult, which is a tight squeeze in a 20 gallon tank. Is the tank the long type, 30", or is it the tall 20 gallon tank? Comets and commons do better in longer tanks, and fancy tailed goldfish do better in the taller tanks. So there are many reasons why a goldfish could go "bad". Water quality can play a factor, too. And yes, goldfish will eat snails. Really, they will eat just about anything that will fit in their mouths.
Sucker fish, or "plecos" as I think you probably have, can suffer with goldfish just because a faster goldfish gets to the food before it does. Plecos need food too, it's a myth that they live on algae in the tank. In fact I am about to move a bristlenose pleco (the smaller type of pleco which only reaches about 5") out of my goldfish tank for that very reason, they are getting to the food before he does. Also, common plecos grow over a foot in length and die an early death in small aquariums anyway, not sure which type of pleco you had. I think you should keep SKF by himself as that's the minimum size for one goldfish, or try a larger tank. It seems like he's made up his mind that he's going to rule that particular tank.
Any idea how long it takes a 6-month old oranda to reach full adult size? Calico and orange orandas to be specific. I want to get a taller 20-gallon tank eventually.
Any idea how long it takes a 6-month old oranda to reach full adult size? Calico and orange orandas to be specific. I want to get a taller 20-gallon tank eventually.
I think probably around 2 years, although really goldfish will grow for several years, and many environmental factors can affect their growth. Orandas average 8-10", some even over a foot long, I've seen some pictures online that are just incredible. Really pretty fish.
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Is it possible this guy just wants his own bachelor pad? He's in a 20 gallon aquarium.
