Hey im so sorry to be a hassle as this is a stupid newbie question^_^
Ok i had a gold fish bowl but the surface area was way to small and i found my gold fish(a little comet) didnt have enough air so i moved it to a salad bowl lol yes i know very sad but its all we had, it holds about 7 liters. A few days later my fish died because it was sick from the day we got it, it turn out there was a parasite in the tank from the shop. But anyway i want a new fish i think i want a fantail is it suitable for the bowl? I cant afford to get a tank and there is no space for it.
Please can you help me!
Thank you so much!!!
love misty^_^
Full Version: Hopeless Newbie Help!
Hi Misty,
I'm a newbie too, but these peeps have been helping me a bundle, so lets see if I can pass anything on to you.
The daft thing is, I have a goldfish (the fish without a name) living back at my parents house, which is 24 years old this year. It's in a 17 litre tank, without any filters, air pumps, lights, etc. He gets fed once a day, swims around happilly and loves life. "Long live the fish without a name!".. These days however, I think due to the continued breeding and cross breeding of the fish, they are more susceptible (sp?) to disease and stress due to water quality.
It's near impossible to get the water quality to balance and stay balanced in a small tank/bowl - things will fluctulate and you will be doing constant water changes.
However, at home I have a 10Gallon (37.5 litre) tank, with 2 filters, air-strip (bubble curtain), 15w Sun-ray light, plants (both fake and real) and 3 fish - Hercules, Pebbles & Bam Bam. I've just moved them in here from a 17 litre, and they seem much happier (apart from poor herc who is really sick & sad at the moment). It's still not really big enough, but my fish are very young still (only about 5 months I think), and small enough to have plenty of room to swim about.
In short, the bigger the better. I've been given loads of differing advice for tank size - but here, the general rule of thumb is 10 Gallons (37.5 litres) per fish.
Best of luck, and keep us informed.
I'm a newbie too, but these peeps have been helping me a bundle, so lets see if I can pass anything on to you.
The daft thing is, I have a goldfish (the fish without a name) living back at my parents house, which is 24 years old this year. It's in a 17 litre tank, without any filters, air pumps, lights, etc. He gets fed once a day, swims around happilly and loves life. "Long live the fish without a name!".. These days however, I think due to the continued breeding and cross breeding of the fish, they are more susceptible (sp?) to disease and stress due to water quality.
It's near impossible to get the water quality to balance and stay balanced in a small tank/bowl - things will fluctulate and you will be doing constant water changes.
However, at home I have a 10Gallon (37.5 litre) tank, with 2 filters, air-strip (bubble curtain), 15w Sun-ray light, plants (both fake and real) and 3 fish - Hercules, Pebbles & Bam Bam. I've just moved them in here from a 17 litre, and they seem much happier (apart from poor herc who is really sick & sad at the moment). It's still not really big enough, but my fish are very young still (only about 5 months I think), and small enough to have plenty of room to swim about.
In short, the bigger the better. I've been given loads of differing advice for tank size - but here, the general rule of thumb is 10 Gallons (37.5 litres) per fish.
Best of luck, and keep us informed.
WOW per fish??????????
how come the pets stores all sell these tiny little bowls then?
Dose the amount of water you need vary on the type of fish?
Is there a fish that dosnt need that much?
Thank you so much^_^
love misty^_^
how come the pets stores all sell these tiny little bowls then?
Dose the amount of water you need vary on the type of fish?
Is there a fish that dosnt need that much?
Thank you so much^_^
love misty^_^
From what I understand, some of the fancy goldfish are slower, and so will be ok with slightly less water - but not an awful lot. There are big debates about goldfish bowls, and I'm afraid in my opinion, they just don't make them big enough to do the job.
I agree, there must be a fish that will live happilly in a bowl, otherwise, they wouldn't sell them, but I'm not sure of what kind - c'mon - help me out here guys..... I'm done!
Cheers.
I agree, there must be a fish that will live happilly in a bowl, otherwise, they wouldn't sell them, but I'm not sure of what kind - c'mon - help me out here guys..... I'm done!
Cheers.
Bowls are absolutely no good for goldfish (any kind at all!). They need at least 10 gallons each as they grow large and create lots of waste which would quickly pollute a small tank/bowl and slowly poison the poor fish.
They also need an efficient filter even in a ten gallon.
They also need an efficient filter even in a ten gallon.
betas can live in less water ,but u still dont want to just throw them in a bowl with no way to add oxygen to the water or take waste out of the water.
im sure u can find a cheap octagon 3 gal or 5gal tank that will take up the same amount of room as a fish bowl,they usually come with a filter,airpump a light a hood,lil bag of rocks, add a beta fish a plastic plant an your good to go. also u want to get some drops to clean your tap water of chlorine,ammonia wich both are bad for the fish. get a water testing kit,do partial water chages,
but if u want a pretty goldfish,its worth getting a 20 gal tank an the proper equipment to watch him grow an stay healthy better then really liking a fish an waking up to him floating on his back. good luck
read as much as u can on this sight,they have tons of information to share.
im sure u can find a cheap octagon 3 gal or 5gal tank that will take up the same amount of room as a fish bowl,they usually come with a filter,airpump a light a hood,lil bag of rocks, add a beta fish a plastic plant an your good to go. also u want to get some drops to clean your tap water of chlorine,ammonia wich both are bad for the fish. get a water testing kit,do partial water chages,
but if u want a pretty goldfish,its worth getting a 20 gal tank an the proper equipment to watch him grow an stay healthy better then really liking a fish an waking up to him floating on his back. good luck
read as much as u can on this sight,they have tons of information to share.
Why do the stores sell them? Because they don't actually CARE about the goldfish, they just want your money!
If you want to start keeping goldfish, I'd recommend a 29 gallon tank with a good filter (one that's rated for MORE than 30 gallons, if possible). Then you could probably get 2 common or comet goldfish like the one you had, or 3 fancy goldfish (they stay a little smaller).
asc.rudeboy has a good idea with a small tank and a betta. Honestly, I've heard of people keeping bettas in bowls with no heater and filter for a long time... you'd have to change 100% of the water probably every other day, and it wouldn't work in a very cold room. But some people make it work. That's the only fish I can think of that would possibly do ok in a bowl, though... most other fish, even small ones, need better water quality, or more room to swim, or more friends with them.
One other thing - don't ever put a fish in a bowl (like the salad bowl) that has been cleaned with soap, there might still be some traces of soap in there and that could hurt your fish.
Browse around the other parts of the site, there's a lot involved with keeping any fish (especially goldfish) but if you get excited about it like all of us, it doesn't seem like work.
If you want to start keeping goldfish, I'd recommend a 29 gallon tank with a good filter (one that's rated for MORE than 30 gallons, if possible). Then you could probably get 2 common or comet goldfish like the one you had, or 3 fancy goldfish (they stay a little smaller).
asc.rudeboy has a good idea with a small tank and a betta. Honestly, I've heard of people keeping bettas in bowls with no heater and filter for a long time... you'd have to change 100% of the water probably every other day, and it wouldn't work in a very cold room. But some people make it work. That's the only fish I can think of that would possibly do ok in a bowl, though... most other fish, even small ones, need better water quality, or more room to swim, or more friends with them.
One other thing - don't ever put a fish in a bowl (like the salad bowl) that has been cleaned with soap, there might still be some traces of soap in there and that could hurt your fish.
Browse around the other parts of the site, there's a lot involved with keeping any fish (especially goldfish) but if you get excited about it like all of us, it doesn't seem like work.
I was pretty shocked to find out how much room they really needed, too, but they really are so much happier and healthier in a big tank, and a big tank is actually less work than a fish bowl, after the initial setup and cycling.
You can get a 10 gal with hood and filter for around $30, but if you can't afford that and still want a fish, definately go for a Betta. They're beautiful fish. I keep mine in a 3gal tank with no filter and do partial water changes (about 50%) every 3 days. He's a very happy fish. I have a small heater ($5) in there, but rarely use it, because he actually seems to do better with the water around 72-72 rather than the reccommended 80.. which, I'll admit, si a bit odd, but....
You can get a 10 gal with hood and filter for around $30, but if you can't afford that and still want a fish, definately go for a Betta. They're beautiful fish. I keep mine in a 3gal tank with no filter and do partial water changes (about 50%) every 3 days. He's a very happy fish. I have a small heater ($5) in there, but rarely use it, because he actually seems to do better with the water around 72-72 rather than the reccommended 80.. which, I'll admit, si a bit odd, but....
Thsi si why goldfish can not live in bowls. I have a 10" fantail, 9" pompom, 12" comet, another 12" comet, a 9" fantail, and a 14" oranda. Golfish grow very large and can live 20 years. The pet stores do not want you to come in and find out that it will be too much work, so they sell you a bowl and a fish. Well the fish dies and you come buy another fish, it dies and people think well goldfish do not live long so I should go get another. They are making money on you replacing the fish. If you went in a found out that you needed to buy a filter a 10 gallon tank, test kits and other items it would be a big bill and chances are you would go else where.
how correct 
Hi,
Don't forget to look at ad5 in the newspaper and garage sales. You can often get great deals on second hand tanks. If you live in a city, there is often an aquarium society that will have sales and auctions.
Also, mention it around to friends, co-workers and schoolmates, whatever, that you are looking for an aquarium. Sometimes you will be lucky and someone will be wanting to get rid of tanks.
I once got a 25 gallon and a 20 gallon tank, all equipped, from a friend whose daughter had tired or keeping fish.
So, just keep looking and maybe you will get a great deal on a tank.
valerie
Don't forget to look at ad5 in the newspaper and garage sales. You can often get great deals on second hand tanks. If you live in a city, there is often an aquarium society that will have sales and auctions.
Also, mention it around to friends, co-workers and schoolmates, whatever, that you are looking for an aquarium. Sometimes you will be lucky and someone will be wanting to get rid of tanks.
I once got a 25 gallon and a 20 gallon tank, all equipped, from a friend whose daughter had tired or keeping fish.
So, just keep looking and maybe you will get a great deal on a tank.
valerie
WOW thank you guys^_^
i feel so bad about my poor little comet now
my goodness that goldfish was just a little present for doing well at school and now look what it has turned into^_^
i really want another gold fish but i dont want to kill it
awwww
Thank you so much anyway^_~
i feel so bad about my poor little comet now
my goodness that goldfish was just a little present for doing well at school and now look what it has turned into^_^
i really want another gold fish but i dont want to kill it
awwww
Thank you so much anyway^_~
Hey again guys^_^
Well i went down to my local aquarium center today and i spoke with the aquarium guy for ages!!
He set me up with some new water conditioner and a filter and a new fishy!!!!
he he he ^_^ its a little fantail!
i just posted to say thanks for all your advice^_^ i was able to talk to the man like i knew what i was on about^_^
Also it needs a name any suggestions? ^_^
Thank you so much!!!!
love misty
Well i went down to my local aquarium center today and i spoke with the aquarium guy for ages!!
He set me up with some new water conditioner and a filter and a new fishy!!!!
he he he ^_^ its a little fantail!
i just posted to say thanks for all your advice^_^ i was able to talk to the man like i knew what i was on about^_^
Also it needs a name any suggestions? ^_^
Thank you so much!!!!
love misty
Also.. Small filters and air pumps are now being sold for bowls and "kits" that have the flat sides. The filter has suction cups so you can stick it to the side of the container.
How about Squish?
oh my gosh i never thought of that lol^_^ thats a good idea^_^
thanks^_~
thanks^_~
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