Gold fish housing

I'm hoping to get some opinions on how long I could house two goldfish in a ten gallon tank. They are orandas and are a little over an inch long not counting the tail. I will eventually be upgrading them to a larger tank if I decide to get them. I will probably be planting the tank even though it's not planted right now. I thought first of doing more frequent water changes but realized they put out a growth regulating hormone. So, more frequent water changes would, I'm guessing, would dilute that hormone concentration and allow for more rapid growth. It appears I'll have to find a balance there. Anywho, any ideas how long a couple of 1" orandas could live in there? I figure they don't need a huge amount of swimming space since they are terribly active. Also, could I feasibly add an itty bitty albino bristlenose pleco to this set up or should I just wait until I upgrade? I know it's pushing the limits on stock levels, but it will be planted and nicely filtered and I can preform water changes as often as possible.

I would just wait till you can get a larger tank, with how much waste goldfish produce they should have 25g each. I wouldn't put even itty bitty guys in a 10g.

That's what I was afraid of, Fern. Went to the store today to get Prime and fell in love with a couple orandas. Figured it wouldn't work but that I'd look into it anyway. Well, maybe next month. Got two dogs getting vetted on the first so there goes the extra cash this month. Thanks, though!

If you have a garage you could put a kiddy pool in there with some filters and plants.... Instant indoor pond!

I know how it is when you really want a fish but can't house it properly, theres a fire eel at my shop and I love him! Hes so cute and intelligent I just don't have the proper tank or setup for him.

Hey jeepluv, Thank you so much for consulting before you buy. Impulse buying can lead to disasters for you and the fish. Just a note to all of the newbies from us who,s been there done that.

10 gal is even to small for 1 fish let alone 2. I like Ferns idea of a kiddie pool. (been there and done that also)

I'm sorry but I am one of those people that doesn't believe in putting goldfish of any kind in a tank. They should be in an outdorr pond where it doesn't matter how big they get. We have an outdoor Koi pond that I had 11 ( different varieties) in and they all grew huge out there. They were there summer and wintered over. The dang raccoons got all of them. The Orandas also got huge 9" - 10 " each. The comet and commens can reach 12". Tanks are not the ideal place for goldfish even though most people think they are. Read my signature. I know I won't be very popular with this opinion but that's the way it is.

I always do my research. You have no idea how many people I've had try to buy goldfish for half gallon bowls when I worked at the fish stores. I wanted to kick them as they argured with me that they do fine! "My last one lived 6 months!" That customer almost got me fired. I couldn't help but scream back they were supposed to live 15-20 years and that she was killing babies. My boss was cool as heck though and just lectured me. I have thought of a container pond but just don't have the space for it right now. I keep hoping to find someone selling "China Doll" goldfish. They look like black moors but stay small. I haven't seen them in forever. Literally about 3 years. I wish they were available with the sarasa coloring but haven't found any yet. One day I'll have a huge pond of sarasa comets. I love the coloring.

i agree with fern, gold fish produce so much waste. Its better to start off with a larger tank.

There's a strain of long finned gold and rosy barbs you can get that closely resemble goldfish. They were bred for folks that want goldfish in tanks but don't have the room for them. I still wouldn't put them in a 10g though.
http://bubblesaquarium.com/fish_Others.htm theres a pic at the bottom of that page