Thanks GZDZ. Do you think the bottom feeder would be happy there too, or is that pushing it?

The neighbor has three ponds, all fairly large. She only has a few goldfish in each. He'd have lots of room. All her ponds are under huge trees, in the shade. She has a virtual paradise in her backyard. Also, she loves all her animals very much and always makes sure they get the best of the best, fish included.

She's had her eyes on Goldie for a while now. He's a pretty fish, I have to say. He's all gold, not a speck of another color on him. He's beautiful, but not happy in his tank, and I feel bad for him. I was even thinking of releasing him into the lake by my house, but I didn't think he'd survive, and I would never do anything to kill him, intentionally anyway. :)

I'll talk to my neighbor. As soon as spring thaw comes I'll trek him on over.

Thanks everyone. :)

You'll add quite a few happy years to his life putting him in his natural environment, outdoors.
The bottom feeder, however, is most likely a tropical fish, he'd never make it through the winter. You could try it, he'll have a great summer, for sure. I tried a large pleco once, around 14", he did not survive the cold water. They come from the Amazon, a bit more warmer.

Your doing the right thing!! He'll grow to about 10 to 12" in a short time, with the extra room and the right water quality he'll receive.

Thanks. I've felt guilt for a long time because I can't provide the right home for him. It's simply not in the budget to buy a larger tank for one fish. My hubby is already unhappy that I got the 20 gallon tank because of Goldie.

So much for the sales pitch "they never outgrow their tank". He's outgrown 4 in the 5 plus years we've had him.

Now to find a home for my little bottom feeder Fang. Either than or suck it up and actually get fish that would be happy in a 20 gallon tank. Boy do I miss my dad, he'd have been all over this. Actually, he would have taken my tank and my fish and built a small sea for them to live in in his house. ;)

Hi to all,

If u want fish for a 20G tank, I'd go for some easy livebearers - mollies, guppies, platies, swordtails... just make sure before that you have a place where to home the fry (talking from exp here) as even just a trio (m & 2F) will give you loads of fry.

Also re the fish dying when there was the goldy - probably too much ammonia as the goldfish is literally a waste machine, and I suspect the filter is not as "strong" as needed.

Should you want more help, I can point you to fish forums, and also sheets on different fish.