Pet goldfish - beginner

[Hellsbells35]

Hi there

My son would love some pet fish and I have promised him two goldfish. I don't have space for a huge tank. Probably one 45cm x 20/30cm. Growing up I kept goldfish in a similar size tank - and one lived for 15 years (I think it may have been a carp) so I don't really go in for the 45L per fish theory. Can anyone recommend best way to keep a couple of fish in this smaller tank?

2 fancy goldfish should be in 150+ litres and commons should be in a pond. The 27 litres you propose is unsuitable for fish full stop let alone goldfish.

Yeah I think that is too small to be honest. I've got two fancy goldfish in a 2ft x 1ft tank and they have grown from tiny tiddlers to around 5inches (including tail fins) and they could really do with a larger tank.

I too had a gold fish for years in a small tank, with no filter or pump so they must be pretty hardy things, but can't have been much of an existence when I think about it and I wouldn't keep one in the same conditions now.

Its fair enough to say we kept pets differently in the past and they survived but it doesn't make it right.

dont get him goldfish they grow large quickly - are you sure this isnt just a phase your son is going through pets require time and effort and fish deserve the same as a dog or cat