Goldfish... really? lol

DMD123

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So I have really been thinking about a goldfish tank, lol. For those that have seen what I keep, this is a big change from the cichlids and bichirs that Im know for.

My tank that Im considering doing this in is a 65B. just researching at the moment, its this or another community tank of sorts.
 

DMD123

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Kind of one of the ones I want…a Ranchu
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Possibly a pearlscale or some other of the ‘fancy’ variety types are of interest.

This idea is kind of based off sheer color. It hard to beat some of the orange, yellows or calico combos these guys have.
 

BPSabelhaus

Well-Known Member
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Just ignore the fact that everything froze and the pond drained itself last week lol I should have turned the pump off, but this was the first time it was this bad in the ten years we have had the pond.

That started with a Shubunkin in an aquarium lol

The butterfly koi was added last year as an excuse for a bigger pond in a couple years ;) I want my current pond to be the future ponds filter :)

It's the best place to have morning coffee, weather permitting ;)


You know you wanna...
 

Ruturaj Hagavane

Well-Known Member
Hahaha, I have been having the same itch lately.

Give everyone an upgrade. Move all Africans to 125 from 75, flowerhorn to 75 from 40, and put 2 goldfish in 40. I like much simpler variety though, fantails.

Do it. I am going to as soon as I move when my lease ends in April.
 

DMD123

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My 65B with Sajica cichlids has to be the most boring tank I have. The most exciting part of that tank are the Buenos Aires tetras which I can easily move to another tank. I can still see switching this tank to a goldfish tank. Still considering it…
 

sir_keith

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My 65B with Sajica cichlids has to be the most boring tank I have. The most exciting part of that tank are the Buenos Aires tetras which I can easily move to another tank. I can still see switching this tank to a goldfish tank. Still considering it…
But aren't goldfish a bit... boring??? :eek:
 

BPSabelhaus

Well-Known Member
Well, I see your point if 'boring = invisible', but I think there might be more than a few catfish enthusiasts on here (not me) whose days (or nights) are made by an occasional sighting! :rofl:rofl:rofl
Growing up my uncle kept two massive tanks of Oscars and bullhead catfish he had caught from local lakes. Just massive 18in to 2 ft beasts slithering about the bottom. They were on both walls of pit living room (anyone remember those?) and it just had this evil imposing villain lair feel.



He was a Baptist minister lol
 

DMD123

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So Im at the serious research part of this stage of whether I want to do a couple fancy goldfish. I now have my 65B empty and its all clean and ready but not sure exactly what variety I want to keep. I really like the lionhead/ranchu and know they get softball size and I believe I could manage two in the 65B, possibly queak in a 3rd but know it would be pushing it.

From memory it seems that Midway and Sierra both carried a decent selection on fancy goldfish but Im not opposed to purchasing online.

Over the years I have adapted a lot when has come to fishkeeping and have stepped out of my comfort zone and tried different fish and I feel as if now is the time for goldfish.
 

BPSabelhaus

Well-Known Member
So Im at the serious research part of this stage of whether I want to do a couple fancy goldfish. I now have my 65B empty and its all clean and ready but not sure exactly what variety I want to keep. I really like the lionhead/ranchu and know they get softball size and I believe I could manage two in the 65B, possibly queak in a 3rd but know it would be pushing it.

From memory it seems that Midway and Sierra both carried a decent selection on fancy goldfish but Im not opposed to purchasing online.

Over the years I have adapted a lot when has come to fishkeeping and have stepped out of my comfort zone and tried different fish and I feel as if now is the time for goldfish.
Last time I was at Midway (month and a half?) the goldfish selection was even bigger than the prior visit and had a few empty tanks still
 

DMD123

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Well I know Im picky with fish so I started with online ordering. My first fish is from https://www.goldfishisland.com/

Screenshot 2024-04-30 114040.jpg
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Listed as an "Ranchu Apache 3-3.5 Inches Male" He isnt the most perfect with his shape but I just like the color combo on him.

I missed the shipping window for this week so likely ship out next week on Monday or Tuesday.
 

lloyd378

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Interesting looking fish.

I am not into goldfish but if I was, the only ones I think I’d want are shubunkins and fan tails
 

DMD123

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Finished up with all the new fish, placed my final order with https://kingkoigoldfish.com/

These two look very similar to each other but I wanted that effect.

These are lionchu (A mix of the lionhead and ranchu)
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DMD123

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I need to do some aqua-scape on the 65B before the new arrivals. My gravel is a bit too deep so that is the first step, to scoop some out. I think I may have some large Seiryu stones in my "overstock" of fish stuff, lol. If not maybe a couple smooth river rocks. I kind of want a bit of an Asian themed tank without being to cliche or fake looking.

I think my substrate is a good choice, not sand but a small round pebble. Ive read these fish like to suck on the rocks and sometimes end up ingesting them so these should be easy enough to pass if that happens. I currently have a bunch of plastic hair grass plants that look pretty good so I will leave them for now but can see the need to thin them down when the fish get bigger.

I purchased some food on Amazon, Hikari-Saki to feed them for now. I guess this variety does better with a sinking food otherwise they tend to gulp too much air from surface feeding and can have issues staying upright. This type can be prone to swim bladder issues and bloat also. What did I get myself in for? lol. Looking forward to the new challenge in fishkeeping.
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DMD123

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So this one ends with me ordering goldfish and I have posted the new set up here:
 
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