confused about tank size for former pond goldfish - please advise

[ArtVandelay]

Hello, this is my first post in Fishnet. Earlier this year I set up a pond in a 65 litre plastic tub. It has a lilypad, pond weeds etc, gravel and a couple of big rocks. It was going well so I though it might be fun to put 2 little goldfish in. The lady at the petshop (small, independent type shop where I buy G. Pig supplies) said that 3 would be fine in 65 litres, I put a couple of snails in as well, also a bubble pipe and all creatures and plants have grown, flowered, bred etc. Water is very clear, so I'm assuming its a healthy environment.

I can't leave the fish in the pond over winter as its not deep enough. I planned to bring the fish in and set them up in a tank (ive done this with pond fish in very severe winters in the past). I think I can dump a filter sponge in the pond to get nice and dirty, use some of the plants and water etc. from the pond.

My issue is - I was told that a 54 litre tank was sufficient, I don't belive that its big enough however I've read a forum (recommended on here) says I need at least 180 litres which I can't house. I'm really wishing id only got 2 goldies now and am even thinking do I need to rehome them?Although who is going to adopt 3 common goldfish (cost price 3 euro) and buy them a 180 litre tank? What do you think is the minimum I can get away with? Once they go in the tank, they will stay there as I'm assuming they'll get too big for the pond and I can just plant that up more and keep snails in there. It's not the money - my animals always get what they need, its just I can't face getting a giant tank. What should I do?

[EauRouge]

They do get massive and need a huge tank. 180 liters won't even be enough for 3 goldfish unfortunately; they can get to about 10 inches long and they are messy buffers. they'd need a 6 ft tank to be kept healthy.

Probably the best option would be to find someone with a large pond and rehome them. you'll have to be quick before the weather turns much colder. Facebook has a lot of fish rehoming groups on there.

Sorry for the bad news

[ArtVandelay]

Hmmm I doubt I'll find anyone with a pond to rehome them to. I live in the centre of a German industrial city and don't know many people outside my neighbors. I will ask the pet shop if they'll take them back but then they'll probably be sold to someone with a small tank again given that the shop thought 3 in 65l was fine... It would be out of my hands but still not a great solution. Thanks anyway. Goldfish keeping seems to have taken some pretty dramatic steps in the last 5 years since I last had a tank and a pond. And yet the pet shops seem unaware of this - awful really.

[EauRouge]

That's surprising, Germany has led the way with fish welfare and has a reputation as the best country for aquatics. There are always some people behind though. A specialist aquatic place rather than a general pet shop might be better, is there anything like that near you?

Since the internet's been more accessible, more people have seen how big goldfish get and how long they live but the myth that they grow to the size of their tank and only live a couple of years is a stubborn one!

If you want to keep the 54 litre tank then there are fish that stay small.

[ArtVandelay]

I didn't buy the 54 litre because It's too small. I'm now looking at 120 - 180 tanks. I'm loathe to give them back to the pet shop just so someone can dump them in 54 litres. I'm not going bigger than 180 though and I'm certainly not going to feel guilty about that. I'm really starting to think pet shops should stick to selling food and stuff. Btw, I kept multiple successful cold and tropical fishtanks from being about 8 until about 8 years ago so I'm not struggling to care for my fish at all, just a bit out of date with size recommendations. Thanks again for help. We will go to the aquatic centre today and see what they've got. Not a lot available 2nd hand in this area.

[ArtVandelay]

Sorry if I sound a bit rankled - its not with you Eau! I'm just cursing the petshop for letting me take goldies to put in a 65 litre water feature and actually talking me into taking 3.

[EauRouge]

Not surprised you are pissed off with her! The bigger the tank you can get, the better.

[ArtVandelay]

I found a chap on EBay and am now in posession of a 180 litre with external filter + heater and lights and a 120 with lights.

[EauRouge]

Oh brilliant, that was quick. They are lovely fish, they will learn to eat out of your hand very quickly if you want them to. They also have very good eyesight and can tell people apart! Mine were never that bothered about my DH but they'd go loopy if I came over to the tank. They are well worth putting the effort into.

[ArtVandelay]

I'm going to put the goldies in the 120 with a decent filter - sorry but the 180 is a beast and is going to cost a fortune to set up, I want to run it empty for ages and then do a species tank with cichlids or something aggressive that I've never been able to have in case they ate my neons! The 120 can be set up much quicker, especially as I have all the stuff already in the pond. It's going to take the goldies a while to outgrow the 120 and the guy just gave me it because I bought the big one. He had just bought a 600 litre and wanted rid of his smaller stuff. So I'm pretty happy with the situation. Thanks Eau!

[ArtVandelay]

Changed my mind again. Goldies going in the big one, 120 going in the attic for a bit. I'm thinking starting two new tanks at once is ridiculous. So in essence I have done exactly what I was supposed to do but didn't want to - bought a giant tank + huge filter for 3 piddling little fish (bangs head off desk). Thanks again, I'm sure i'll be back before long with some more questions :)

[EauRouge]

Those three little piddling fish will be great gallumphing whoppers before you know it and they will love you for giving them the extra space.