I would be very grateful if you could help me with this one. I have a blackmoor in a 13 gallon tank. I wanted to add another fish as he seems relly lonely, i did have him with four minnows but I got into terrible trouble at feeding time, they took all of his food but they didn't actually eat it, food got trapped in the stones and my water was deathly. I think another fish would make him happy but I know how keen you guys are on 10 gallons per fish. If I was to do regular water changes would I not be able to add another one? If you think that this is not advisable is there anything else I could put in there to keep him company?

thanks

With only a 13 gallon tank I could only suggest a snail, but they aren't much company to a goldie . Really a 13 gallon tank is only big enough for ONE goldfish.

Thanks - I feared you would say that - Can you not get around this with more frequent water changes, adding another pump maybe
?

Not really, it would work for a short period of time but it will quickly catch up with you. Your fish is bound to grow, as it grows it will produce more waste and eventually the tank you have might not even be big enough. If you were to add another fish you would have to pretty much do daily water changes and work on getting a bigger tank, its just not a good idea

I tried doing that when I first started out. All my fish died. Its something I'd never even attempt to do agian, its just to heartbreaking when they die for something that you caused in the first place.

I have to agree. With 13 gallons, the moor alone is the best way to go. As they grow, not only will they need more space, but the amount of waste increases too and ammonia levels would get out of hand very quickly.

Hmm how about cories? They'd be alrite I reckon

you could always try a plant. i know it is not a critter to play with but it would keep him active. and he has you. you can play with him

Hi thanks everyone.

Would cories be ok ?

thanks again

Hi again, I have read that these need to be kept in three's as they swim in groups. Would this be ok, I did keep my blackmoor with four minnows but they are so quick and they kept stealing his food.

What would cories eat and do they feed from the bottom? Are they very quick feeders?

Any info would be great!

What about a Plec ?

Can anyone help ?!

Hi Can anyone help with thi please ?

Would a hillstream loach be ok

Whoa hold on, we can get to you as fast as you can.

I'm with everyone else, I'd just keep him alone and embrace the extra swimming space. I'm not sure about feeding, but cories need to be kept in groups and the moor could try to eat them when it gets bigger (or thinks its big enough). Even if they don't succeed in swallowing them, the spiky dorsal fin can get caught in their throat. Plecos and loaches need more room than the 3 gallons, and the different species will just ignore eachother, not too much of a friendship to build. Who is really wanting the other fish...the moor or you? Remember to be responisble. Try playing with him more, special treats, plants etc instead.

Your 13 gallon tank is big enough to stick in another blackmoor or another type of coldwater fish.

Phlaris, the people at this forum and many others recomend that each fancy goldfish have at least 10 gallons each. This is important considering how fast they can grow, how big they get, and how much waste they produce.

A common plec is definitely not compatible with a black moor in 13 gallons. Koko has a section here on the "no's" of plecs with goldfish. Unfortunately I made the mistake of placing a plec with my goldfish before I found this website. The plec grew too big and started chasing my goldfish.

phlaris is well aware that most members believe in the 10 gallon recommendation, we've discussed it before, in german.

I also thought there was only a 3 hour time difference between Sydney and NZ? That's odd.

hmmm...you might need to buy a bigger tank i had two commons and a ryukin in a six gallon the poor ryukin was stressed out.

and i forgot
when i first got them i had four in a small tank (another ryukin)
we had been told it was big enough (stupid shops)
the poor ryukin died of stress (we have been told)
im trying to save up for a bigger tank so i think you should do the same if you want another friend for him

I couldn't agree more with the 10 gallon rule, Goldies aren't much fun when they are ill or stressed out due to living conditions that we inflicted on them.

If you desperately want to get another goldie as a friend for your moor then how about a large 20 gal storage container. At the moment my fish are living happily in one until i can afford a tank big enough for them.

Granting that I'm a newbie and Ive been keeping a tank for the past 3 months. Its been my experience thus far, as long as your goldfish are on the smaller side (less than 2 inches) you can keep a couple of them in a tank. Consistant water changes are needed though (about 5-6 days). I currently have 5 small goldfish in my ten gallon however I plan on changing them out in less than 2 months into a 45 gallon tank. So for the short term a small other goldfish should be fine, they seem to bond really well together. You also have the option of placing those goldfish outside in a controlled pond. That could also suffice until you can get a larger tank. So far I've learned is that you have to do these things for yourself and use the advice to supplement your experiences. So, granting Im a newbie, I would say go ahead and try it out, worse comes to worse go out and buy a 20 gallon tank and just use ur existing equipment you have to run the tank. But like I said this is all comming from a newbie.

Mark

I had the same problem. My blackmoore George was living alone in a 10 gallon (which by the way, wasn't even enough room for just him! ) and he was obviously lonely. Unfortunatly, I think your only option is to get a larger tank. I found a super good deal on a used tank at a local trade in store, 30 gallon with stand, flourescent light, filter and heater for $100!!!!

As tempting as it is, you shouldn't add any more fish to the tank. Plecos get very dangerous, I had one eat an eye out of a ranchu .

Good luck!
I hope your little guy's not lonely for too much longer.