How Long Can Feeder Fish Live For?

[CE2008]

I recently got a 10 gallon tank (my first tank) I bought some feeder fish to start off with because im learning. I was wondering if its possible how long can they actually live with good care and how big? Also if anyone has any good starter fish in mind please let me know, Im here for some advice or any tips.

[supersmirky]

I actually had some .12 cent feeder fish for my oscar. They turned out to be 10" goldfish before I gave them to someone with a pond. Really pretty though.

[CE2008]

Nice. Are Feeder Fish messy fish cause I have a filter but my tank gets dirty so fast...is it because I have a 10 gallon tank?


Also I had 6 feeder fish and now I have 1. The one that I have is half silver/gold is that normal? lol I thought goldfish stay one color.

[kewlkatdady]

most feeder comets (gold fish) will be fine as long as their care for properly but they will get big.

[supersmirky]

Just keep the stocking level low. Too many of those feeders will create a huge waste load

[CE2008]

Man the help on this forum is alot better from the other one's ive tired haha Thanks. Well since I have only 1 feeder fish now I wanted to get another fish with it because I heard goldfish are community fish, what do yall think I should get thats easy to take care of?

[supersmirky]

LOL...great, thanks. We're glad to be here to help.

Do you have a heater set up on the tank or is it strictly a cold water setup?

[CE2008]

strictly cold water. I have the 10g tank from Walmart (if you know what that looks like) should I get a heater? I usually leave the light on to get some warmth.

[supersmirky]

Goldfish are okay with coldwater. Not sure about other fish. Does anyone have any suggestions on coldwater fish?

[ElijahTurtle]

Those feeders are usually comets. They should be fine without a heater. When I was in college, we had a school of about 20-30 in an old swimming pool. It turned into a school of 50+. They lived there for several years before the school sold off the property. I used to break branches off the trees & throw in there. I figured the leaves were a good suppliment to they typical diet of bugs & whatever else fell in the pool.

[IC Casey]

True story.

My friend built a MacQuarium some years ago, when he was in college. He started a cycle with way too fancy a fish, but apparently not only could they not survive it, but found it so unsuitable as to commit suicide by jumping out the top.

So he bought a feeder goldfish. He fed it for a while, then stopped. That's when it ate the remaining fish. Then he dumped some food in there and went on vacation for a month. He came back and it's still there... alive... getting bigger.

He has no idea how. One day he's sitting by the lamp reading and a moth flies by, lands on the aquarium lip. He hears a little splash and looks over and the goldfish has the moth in its mouth.

Life finds a way.

He named it "Killer" and fed it only live bugs. It lived in his MacQuarium until it got too big for it and he had a friend help him transfer it to a pond.

Now, some people will tell you that goldfish don't eat bugs, that they're vegetarians or any of that, but I saw Killer take a mayfly right off the aquarium rim. Not that that's a recommendation. Just an anecdote.

[CE2008]

O ok what do you suggest for my next fish? Heater or not heater all depends if I get one or not...


My 10g Tank (its a start right)
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/cavin316/FishTank.jpg

[supersmirky]

I like your setup. Very nice. Danios are great coldwater fish that provide movement and entertainment. This would let you save the expense of getting a heater

[CE2008]

O Ok thanks super and everyone. I'll let you know if I have anymore noob questions haha

[amuntep]

Rosy Red Minnows, you can usually get them at PetSmart, they are feeders and cold water. I've got one that was too big for my Angels and is going on two years. The other 70 were gone within a week.

[Blake]

Cavin! :welcome: and yeah just go buy a $20 heater from walmart... I got some fish you can have

[REYREY]

There is the spirit... grow our babies and then give them away!!!

Welcome..and thanks for the compliments to the fine people on this site, I second the sentiment... GREAT INFROMATION GREAT PEOPLE!!! even JJ.... ehheehhehe

now on the cold water... the danios and rosey red minoows will provide movement and color variation with the Feeder fish... HOWEVER... you will not allow the feeder fish to trhive in a 10 gl for long... and you will have lots of cleaning to do...

so if you live GOLD fish... I LOVE MY GOLDFISH TANK!!! GEORGEOUS FISH... get a 55 gl or larger.... over time and energy spent trying to keep the tank clean... the large tank will benefit both you and the fish.... they will last a good while in there... especially the fancy goldies...

[dhawk52]

I am still Very new, but I can concur about getting the bigger tank. I set up a second tank (a little 30 gallon). I wanted to wait at least two more days before I put fish in it (it was going to be a semi-aggressive) starter tank, but my wife wanted fish in it before are relatives arrived. We put 12 .25 feeder goldfish and two algae eaters in it. It is a job to just keep it clean, but so far I have only lost one of the goldfish.

[FlamandalayBay]

black moore, white clouds, most rasbora. they are all but cold water. Just remember you have a heck of a waste producer in the tank so watch out for fish that are sensetive to ammonia etc.
Goldfish might survive with a heater set low but would be happier without it. As far as cycle fish aka hardy fish I have always used danios...any danio will generally do regardless to the fact that they are lil spaz's. You could only kill one with a hammer cuz they don't die lol. I removed an old deco piece from a tank not to long ago and when I lifted it from the tank I somehow picked up a danio w/o realizing and at some point fell to the floor between the living room and the bathroom tub. I remembered feeling something flutter against my foot and was like wth? but I was in a hurry trying no to drip all over carpet. By the time I went back ADD had taken over and I forgot about him. Then all the sudden I remember seeing this shadow on the floor on the way back so went back to where it was and sure nuff it was a danio. I grabbed the lil fella and threw him back in trying to make sure he didnt have dog hair on him and off he swam and still does to this day lol