How Long Do Goldfish Live In A Fish Tank?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Conditions Expected lifespan Reasonable size tank with good care

2 to 5 years
Large tank with poor care 2 to 5 years Large tank with good care 4 to 8 years Large tank with excellent care 6 to 10 years

How long can goldfish live without changing water?

How long can a live out of water? You wake up in the morning or come home after work to see that one of your goldfish jumped out of the water and onto the floor. Don't assume this is end of that goldfish. A goldfish can live

up to an hour

out of water and significantly longer depending on a few variables.

How long do goldfish pets live?

Goldfish live an average of

5-12 years

, depending on species and health conditions. Many pet goldfish are mistreated or not cared for properly, and this brings down the overall average lifespan for the species.

How can I tell if my goldfish is dying?


Loss of appetite

. Weakness or listlessness. Loss of balance or buoyancy control, floating upside down, or ‘sitting' on the tank floor (most fish are normally only slightly negatively-buoyant and it takes little effort to maintain position in the water column) Erratic/spiral swimming or shimmying.

Is it OK to feed goldfish once a day?

How often do you feed goldfish?

Adult goldfish should only be fed 1 time per day

with high protein food. Smaller fish need more frequent feedings of little portions to grow big and strong. They can still eat veggies around the clock, as much as they want, so you aren't depriving them.

Do goldfish get lonely?

While we can never know for sure,

there is no indication that goldfish get lonely

. It's likely that when you spot a single goldfish that seems lethargic or depressed, it is far more likely that there is a problem with its environment or health than it is that the goldfish is lonely.

Can goldfish live in tap water?


Goldfish can only live in tap water when it has been properly treated to remove harmful chemicals

. What is this? Tap water contains chemicals that will kill all of the ‘good bacteria' in your tank.

Do goldfish jump out of their tanks?

When the water gets too dirty, there is such a buildup of oxygen that it can actually poison your goldfish.

The little guy may jump out of the tank in an effort to survive.

Do goldfish need an aerator in their tank?


All goldfish require an aeration system even if they do not show any symptoms of low oxygen levels

. It is the most humane and essential way to give your goldfish some help to breathe properly.

Do goldfish recognize their owners?

Pet goldfish can distinguish between humans, and

often recognise the human that regularly feeds them

. Pet goldfish can also seem quite scared of new people, but become more comfortable with their owners over time as they realise they aren't a threat.

How old is a 3 inch goldfish?

Many enthusiasts discuss their 6 inch Comets, but in reality they are 3 inch with 3 inch tails. Fancy varieties grow outwards as much as in length, so a 3 inch Veiltail is likely to be

12 months old

, but a Comet can achieve that size in a few months.

How old is a 2 inch goldfish?

Age Slim-Bodied Goldfish Fancy Goldfish 1 month 0.9 inches 0.9 inches
6 months

2 inches 1.5 inches
12 months 3.25 inches 2.75 inches 18 months 4.5 inches 3.5 inches

Why is my goldfish turning white?

Did you know that goldfish have pigment in their skin? This pigment can react to UV light in some fish. So, your goldfish could turn white due to both a

lack of sunlight or too much sunlight

. In the case of too much light, fish usually respond to the dramatic change.

How do you tell if my goldfish is a boy or girl?

To identify a female goldfish,

look for a rounder, thicker body shape

. Females may also have a bulge on one side as breeding season approaches, and their vent, or anal opening, may protrude slightly. Male goldfish often have a thinner, more streamlined body shape than females, with a concave vent and a midline ridge.

Do goldfish know when another fish dies?

The majority of the animal kingdom, including fish but not dolphins, do not have a sense of identity or self-recognition [1]. So

they likely do not experience an abstract awareness of their eminent demise

.

How do you know if goldfish are happy?


Do not have white spots or blemishes on their body; do not have fins that are torn or ragged, and do not eyes that are bulging

(unless you have a Bubble Eye Goldfish). Are expanding their gills regularly — but not rapidly — to take in water and oxygen. Are brightly colored with vibrant scales.

How often should you change goldfish water?

To keep your fish healthy, you should change at least half of the water in the bowl or aquarium

every 3 days

.

How big do goldfish get?

According to National Geographic, goldfish are usually around

7 to 16.1 inches long and weigh 0.2 to 0.6 pounds, but can top 5 pounds in the wild

.

What size tank do I need for 2 goldfish?

Now, in terms of 2 common goldfish, you will want to have a tank that is

at least 42 gallons large

. What is this? The minimum for a single common goldfish is 30 gallons, with our recommendation being 40 gallons. However, for each additional goldfish, you will need an additional 12 gallons of water.

Is it OK to have one goldfish?

Goldfish (Carassius auratus) are social animals and when kept in groups can be seen regularly interacting with other goldfish.

Keeping at least two goldfish in an aquarium is recommended to provide companionship and promote activity

. Solitary fish can exhibit depression and lethargy.

Do goldfish need toys?


They want to be entertained with some toys and decor items present in the water

. Usually, they look for aquatic plants, tunnels, stones, and other such things that give them an ocean vibe. Make sure to choose lightweight, easy to push around and aquarium safe toys, so it does not harm your goldfish.

Do goldfish need a heater?

In summary:

Goldfish don't need heaters – most of the time

. If the conditions of your home or outdoor environment get too cold for either fancy or common Goldfish, you may need a heater. Remember that Goldfish are endothermic, meaning their metabolism is controlled by the external environment.

Can you put a goldfish in a bowl?

Some goldfish live happily in 3-5 gallon bowls their entire lives, but

ideally, an adult goldfish should be kept in a bowl that is at least 10 gallons

. This will provide leeway with water changes when life gets busy and ensure the water quality is maintained.

Can I use bottled water for goldfish?


Bottled water can be used in your goldfish' tank

; however, you should treat it the same way you treat tap water. You should treat it with a water conditioner before adding it to your tank as it may still contain chlorine which is harmful to goldfish.

Do goldfish like waterfalls?

Goldfish have become invasive in some areas, so they are increasingly being found in lakes and ponds, which can have varying degrees of current. It's rare to find goldfish in fast-moving bodies of water, though. This means

it's unusual to spot them in places like fast-moving rivers or near waterfalls

.

Why is my fish hitting the tank?

Fish exhibit many behaviors that tell us how they are feeling, and glass surfing (also known as pacing) is one of them. This is when fish constantly swim up and down the sides of the aquarium glass.

One reason they do this is stress

. It could mean they aren't happy in their environment, for one reason or another.

Does a goldfish sleep?

Unlike people,

goldfish do not lie down when they sleep

. Rather, they become less active, staying in one place and moving slowly to keep themselves stable. They look like they are hovering in the tank or pond, usually low in the water, an inch or so off the bottom, with their heads pointed slightly downward.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.