Why do goldfish need 10 gallons per fish?

[egrac]

I've heard tons of people say that a goldfish needs a minimum of 10 gallons for itself because goldfish produce a lot of waste and because they can grow very large. But what is the exact reason for a 10 gallon? Who decided a 10 gallon is the right size? Why not a smaller tank, and then transfer the fish to a larger tank when it gets bigger (and poops more?)

I have a 1.5 inch panda moore and I don't have space to hold a 10 gallon at the moment but I can probably get one within a year. Is that absolutely dreadful?

(And please no responses asking how I would like it if I had to live in a tiny room all the time compared to a larger room... I am not a goldfish, my poo is not eaten by healthy bacteria (at least to my knowledge), and my body and psyche is far more complex than that of a fish.)

 

[Ganal]

Actually a fancy goldfish require 20+ for the first fish and 10+ for the next. Comets require 75+ for the first and 30-55+ for the additional fish. They require large tanks because they are large growing fish. Fancy get 6-8 inches while comets get 12-18+ inches long. They also are extremely messy fish and a smaller tank will stunt their growth. They may stop growing on the outside but their organs will continue to grow causing a very painful death.

Goldfish should live to be about 20 years old. In a small tank or bowl they will be lucky to live over a couple months.

If you have a smaller tank you need to be doing water changes every couple of days even with a filter. If you cannot do that you need to return the fish and get a betta if the tank is 5 or more gallons. If smaller you cannot keep fish.

 

[JenniferBe]

They don't.

I've kept at least 5 gold fish together and thriving in a 3 gallon tank.

 

[Chandler]

the exact date to decide the exact 10 gallons was a rainy day in march, the 15th to be exact..., in 1858. By a Sir Circumscribe Ichthys. There's speculation about the exact time but a lot of historians have settled on 6:23 pm. (central standard time)

waitta minute! who switched me from helpful to smartass....dangit....

it's just so they have enough space. when their bigger i doubt there's a large difference in their amount of excrament. if you love ya fish, you'd want a suitable environment,. but, it is a fish. and a smaller tank will probably suit your lovely 1.5 inch panda moore just fine

 

[asianinkjet]

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