Goldfish are a long-time favorite in many home aquariums for newbie beginners to the most advanced aquarists. They’re beautiful, graceful, and super easy to care for while making decent tank makes within a community.
So, when adding some to your mini seascape, it’s good to know how many goldfish will fit per gallon. Unfortunately, this isn’t a straight answer. Suggestions run the gamut from one gallon per inch of goldfish to 20 gallons per fish. But, this mostly depends on the size of the goldfish in question.
Actually, it’s more about maintaining clean water and preventing waste buildup. That said, there are some calculations to mull over. One thing that’s important to keep in mind is that goldfish thrive best in a community tank, so there have to be at least two to ensure happiness.
So, What Is the Ideal Number of Goldfish Per Gallon Of Water?
There is a good reason for there being so many recommendations when it comes to gallons for goldfish. It isn’t as important as it would be for something like cichlids. Stories and anecdotes abound from a single goldfish living happily in a 2½ gallon tank to a school of 10 goldfish in a 40-gallon tank.
Of course, the species of goldfish you have and the maximum size they can grow to should be a top priority. While the following calculations are suggestions, you should refer to the specific requirements of your particular goldfish.
One Gallon per Inch of Goldfish
A simple calculation that many people seem to abide is by going with one gallon per inch long of goldfish. This allows for various species, sizes, and shapes of goldfish, including ones with hoods. But, this may only be ideal for mature fish, since it doesn’t provide much information for juveniles.
20 Gallons per Goldfish
Another easy calculation is to go with 20 gallons per goldfish across the board. This way, you can anticipate juvenile growth into maturity while maintaining proper water parameters. But, that means you’ll need a 40-gallon tank for two goldfish. That’s quite big for so few fish.
In the case your fish are fancy and large, this may be the most ideal calculation to use. Alternatively, it may be okay for juveniles without filtration or aeration. Once they start growing, aerating will be necessary.
20 Gallons for the First, 10 Gallons Thereafter
There’s yet another calculation that seems to be popular among aquascape hobbyists. This is going with 20 gallons for the first fish and then adding 10 gallons for every fish thereafter. In this case, three fish will fit into a 40-gallon tank.
For Larger Types of Goldfish
For larger types of goldfish species, such as Shubunkins or Comets, the equation must increase because these can reach up to 10 long inches or more. So, 30 gallons for the first fish with 15 gallons for each additional one thereafter should suffice.
Calculations via Surface Area
There is one method people find tried and true. It comes from a 1948 book called, “The Goldfish” by Harvey and Hems. This states that there should be 24 square inches of surface area per inch of fish. This is the most ideal calculation in the event the tank doesn’t have aeration or water flow.
However, it’s important to note that using the surface area rather than the gallon size will support the same number of fish. For instance, let’s say there are two tanks. One 30 gallons and another that’s 50 gallons but both have a surface area of 288 square inches.
Regardless of the gallon size, each will only be able to supply enough oxygen for one goldfish up to 12 inches long. The calculation for this is as follows:
Total Square Feet of Tank Surface Area ÷ 24 Square Inches per Fish = Total Possible Length of One Fish
288 ÷ 24 = 12
Quick Reference
If you’re not one for math or lack the space for precise measurement, consider the list below as a quick guideline. These are for tanks that will include a filtration system with average-sized goldfish:
- 15 gallons – two 2 to 2½ inch goldfish
- 20 gallons – two 2½ to 3 inch fish
- 30 gallons – three 3 inch fish
- 40 gallons – four 3 inch fish
- 50 gallons – five 3 inch fish
Proportions Are Somewhat Insignificant
The shape of the aquarium and how clean it is are going to be more important than tank size. Since goldfish love to be around others, they’ll be happy slightly cramped as long as the water stays pristine.
Water quality and maintaining the right parameters will be essential. This will be especially true when keeping a school of fish in a smaller tank smaller than what’s advisable. Every type of goldfish will have slightly different needs, but the parameters below are a good, general range:
- Ammonia: 0 ppm
- Nitrites: 0 ppm
- Nitrates: 30 ppm or less
- pH Balance: 7.0 to 8.0
- KH: 50 to 120 ppm
- GH: 100 to 300 ppm
How Many Goldfish Will Be Happy In A 10 Gallon Tank?
The number of goldfish that can fit in a 10-gallon tank will largely depend on the breed, size, and the number of fish. For small juveniles, two to four will fit but they won’t grow to their proper mature size unless they have a bigger tank.
Since most goldfish grow somewhere between six and eight inches, only one adult fish will be comfortable in a 10-gallon tank. But, two will fit comfortably with smaller breeds. If it’s a larger one, like a Comet, a 10-gallon tank will not be suitable.
How Many Goldfish Will Fit In A 20 Gallon Tank?
The number of goldfish for a 20-gallon tank will have a similar calculation to a 10 gallon one. For the average size of six to eight inches, two to three fish should be comfortable. If the goldfish is the kind that can get as big as 12 inches, then one or two are ideal.
But, if you’re just looking to temporarily house the goldfish starting as juveniles, then eight to 10 goldfish will suffice.
What Are the Various Sizes of Goldfish Breeds?
The best and surest way to ensure the proper aquarium size is by knowing how long a goldfish can grow to. Some breeds are small while others are rather large. The types below provide a basis to start from:
- Bubble Eye: juveniles are one to two inches and grow between four to six inches
- Butterfly Tail: juveniles are one to two inches and grow between seven to eight inches
- Celestial Eye: juveniles are one to two inches and grow between four to six inches
- Comet: juveniles are two to four inches and grow between 10 to 12 inches
- Common: juveniles are two to four inches and grow between 10 to 12 inches
- Fantail: juveniles are one to two inches and grow between six to eight inches
- Jikin: juveniles are two to four inches and grow between eight to 10 inches
- Lionhead: juveniles are one to two inches and grow between five to eight inches
- Nymph: juveniles are one to three inches and grow between 10 to 12 inches
- Oranda: juveniles are two to four inches and grow between seven to nine inches
- Pearlscale: juveniles are one to two inches and grow between four to six inches
- Pompom: juveniles are one to two inches and grow between four to six inches
- Ranchu: juveniles are one to two inches and grow between five to eight inches
- Ryukin: juveniles are two to four inches and grow between six to 10 inches
- Shubunkins: juveniles are two to four inches and grow between 10 to 12 inches
- Tamasaba: juveniles are one to two inches and grow between eight to 10 inches
- Telescope: juveniles are two to four inches and grow between seven to nine inches
- Tosakin: juveniles are one to two inches and grow between four to eight inches
- Veiltail: juveniles are one to two inches and grow between seven to eight inches
- Watonai: juveniles are two to four inches and grow between 10 to 12 inches; can get to as long as 19 inches in pond settings
FAQ
How Big Does an Aquarium Need to Be for 2 Goldfish?
On average, two goldfish should fit in a 10-gallon tank. But, if they are larger breeds, then somewhere between 20 to 40 gallons will be best.
Recap
There are many ways to go about calculating the gallons with respect to the number of goldfish you have. However, goldfish are a fairly easy breed in general and professional aquarists give suggestions across the board. But, it really does come down to keeping the tank clean.
However, for a basic run-of-the-mill guideline, it seems that the maximum size a goldfish can grow to will be better on which to make an estimation. Therefore, about two fish per 10 gallons for small breeds and 20 gallons for larger ones.