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I've got 2 Orandas, (one is 4" the other 3" a black moor, (4" and a Ranchu (3" in a 20 gallon long tank. I DO know this is inadequate space for such fish but I have two filters running in it and the ammonia, nitrates and nitrite are nearly always 0 and the water crystal clear. I am getting a 40 gallon tank for them in a few months, but
I want to know if 40 gallons would be enough for the four of them, or if I would have to give them up as this is the biggest size aquarium I am allowed, (and can afford) to get.

My fish are growing really quickly especially the Black Moor and one of the Orandas who have each grown an inch in the past two months and Im sure theyll need the big tank soon so I wont be able to wait to see if Im allowed to get a bigger one. I would really hate to have to give these fish up as all but one of the pet shops near me keep their fish in substandard conditions, the one that does have good fish does not sell fancy goldfish. I would also hate for some kid to buy them and put them into a fish bowl.

Also, Bubble (the big Oranda), seems to have a bit of trouble turning and he seems to float really easily to the top of the aquarium, I was wondering if this could be something to do with his swim bladder but when he sleeps on the bottom of the tank he floats just above it with no problem. I dont know if this is just me worrying or if there is something wrong with him. Any help is really appreciated.

about your tank size, yes right now it is too small, but you are keeping the water quality pristine, and planning on upgrading to a 40 gallon right away, so they should be fine for now. They are still fairly small, so i doubt they're being hurt by lack of swimming room quite yet. Just work on getting that bigger tank asap, the last thing you want to do is permanently stunt their growth, leafing to premature death and suffering. As for Bubbles, it is more than likely swimbladder disease, something fancy goldies are quite e too becuase of their odd shape. He may also be constipated. Try fasting them for a few days then feeding them nothing but cooked, shelled, mushed peas for a few days. Should definitely help. Goldies need lots of veggies in their diets, flakes alone will often cause them to fall ill. Commercial foods like floating pellets and flakes expand in your fishie's tummy, which can cause those floatie/balance problems a lot of the time.

ammonia, nitrates and nitrite are nearly always 0

Ammonia and nitrites should ALWAYS be zero.

40 gallons isn't adequate for 4 full-grown goldies. They each get about 8 inches long. I suppose you could try it. Anything would be better than a 20 gallon. You never know. Goldies live about 20 years or more, so by then you'll probably be able to get them bigger accomodations.

Welcome to FishProfiles!

[span class="edited"][Edited by Janna 2004-08-22 19:58][/span]

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Thanks guppylove for your help , they're off the flakes for the next few days and then I'll feed them a couple of peas.
Janna, I would get them a huge 125 gallon long tank for them, even an eighty gallon so they'd have 20 gallons each, but my mom is deadset against any huge tanks being brought into the house.