Question
I have a large (1,000 + gallon) outdoors pond with too many goldfish, and started offering fish to others.  One said yes, but for a 20 gallon aquarium.  I'm having 2nd thoughts about the wisdom of taking fair sized fish (4 to 5 to 6 inch) which were born and raised in a big pond to a little aquarium.  Is it a death sentence?  Too much stress for them, and/or not enough space?
Thanks for your time.

Answer
It may be hard on them not just for the room but the water quality.  If the fish are already 6" long, in a 20 gallon tank, the ammonia is probably going to spike.  A few small (under 4" goldfish) will probably be ok in a 20 gallon tank.  Which variety of goldfish are they?  The common and comet goldfish grow huge, as you must know.  Going from the nice pond to a small tank is not a death sentence if they know what they're doing (big if) but it probably will shorten their lives (assuming predators in the pond aren't an issue as they can be).  I suggest giving the person just a few of the smaller fish and lots of advice.  I have never removed any fishy progeny from my 9-year-old 1800 gallon pond, and it stays in balance.  Whenever I think I have too many, somebody (big fish, heron, raccoon, etc.) eats a bunch!  My larger fish eat most eggs and fry so I don't have that many new fish each year.  Good luck!

Robyn
fishpondinfo.com