Ok, so I havd gravel in my tank, now I have river rocks. What ones are better, the gravel or the river rock for my fish?

As far as which being better, I can't answer because I think it's personal choice. However, I find that with larger rocks you run a smaller chance of one of your goldies getting a rock stuck in it's mouth.

I also prefer the river rock. Keeping it sparse will limit the amount of yuck that collects between the rocks and makes it easier for the fish to eat all the food that is hiding on the bottom. You will never have the clouds of waste to suck up out of the gravel and you can be sure that when you clean a tank, it is clean all the way. The fish will love pushing around the rocks and searching for food, but stand little to no chance of getting gravel stuck in their mouths.

I also wanted to ask this question. Once again the silly Store owner told me "OHHH never use river rocks... alway use gravel". I explained to her that my fish has almost died twice due to sucking up a rock and having it stuck in it's mouth. Both times it was in the middle of the night, the only reason why I noticed is because I heard banging on the glass. When I saw my orange oranda in severe distress I immediately grabbed her and shook her like a pepper shaker. The rock eventually came out. I couldn't get it with tweesers. Phew. The store owner just looked at me like i'm crazy. Grrrrrrrrrrrr

Anyway, I think i'll be investing in river rocks.