How Many Fish

Question
QUESTION: I have a 20 Gallon Fish Tank, with 5 Gold fish,3 are 3" long and 2 are 2" long. Is this tank to small if so I have a friend who will take them. Do you have any suggestions on what type and how many fish are ok with this tank. Thanks Fred New Jersey USA.

ANSWER: Fred,

Yes a 20 gallon tank is too small for the fish you have in it. You can have 1 goldfish in that tank but that is it. As for any other fish, it depends. Do you want to stay with a cold water tank or a tropical tank? Keep it a freshwater or salt water? DO you want peaceful fish or aggressive fish? There are a lot of different types. The first thing you do is figure out what kind of tank you want and then come back to me and I will help you.

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QUESTION: What am i going to do with the other 4 fish. They have been in the tank for about 5 months and they seem to be doing fine. They eat good, are fed once a day. They look very healthy. Fred.

Answer
Fred,

In the first post you stated you had someone who would take them. Goldfish are huge waste producers. They do not have a stomach so everything they eat comes right back out as ammonia which then turns into nitrites. Both of these will kill your fish. The rule with goldfish is 20 gallons for the first one and 15 gallons for each goldfish added. With three of them being 3" they are already too big for the tank. They only other things I can suggest is taking the others to the pet store and see if they will take them or upgrade to a larger tank.