You might wonder if a goldfish can survive in a bowl if you’re considering getting one as a pet. Keeping these fish in goldfish bowls was once a popular practice, but it’s essential to understand that this is not their ideal environment. You need the information to determine whether goldfish can survive in a bowl.
It’s crucial first to recognize that goldfish are a species of freshwater fish and need specific conditions in order to be healthy and happy. These conditions include enough room, clear water, and an effective filtration system. A goldfish cannot live in a tiny, unfiltered bowl because it lacks the right conditions. In actuality, keeping a goldfish in a bowl can result in a number of health issues, such as stunted development, poor water quality, and even death.
Second, some varieties of goldfish can develop to be over a foot long, making them quite large. But, keeping a goldfish in a tiny bowl is unfair to them because it limits their ability to swim and investigate. Furthermore, goldfish generate a lot of waste, which can rapidly accumulate in a small bowl and create an unsanitary environment for the fish.
In short, even though goldfish can theoretically live in a bowl, it’s not the best setting for them to flourish. It’s best to give your goldfish a roomy tank with a good filtration system and plenty of space to swim and investigate if you’re thinking about having one as a pet. You’ll be able to appreciate your goldfish for many years if you provide a healthy and comfortable environment.
Are Fish Bowls Good For Goldfish?
You may have heard that goldfish do not do well in fish bowls.
There is an element of reality to that. Certainly, they are able to, but the issue isn’t the bowl itself but rather the lackluster quality playing conditions inside. Goldfish in suboptimal environments can perish in tanks of any size.
Can Goldfish Live In a Bowl?
It IS possible to make the bowl a safe environment. If given the right conditions, fish can outlive even the popular family pets if cared for properly. And before you flame me, I’d like to give those of you who are anti-fishbowl a chance to hear me out. There are always two sides to a story. I used to believe the same thing. My intent is to provide an objective, reasoned analysis of the situation.
After some trial and error, I learned that even “messy” goldfish could be kept in a bowl, and the ammonia and nitrite levels were maintained at a constant 0. I once had two goldfish in a 3-gallon planted bowl, and they were so content and healthy that they had babies!
And it’s not just me… Over my career as a fishkeeper, many other fishkeepers came up to me and told me about their experiences with fishbowls. Some people have spent decades of their lives there (goldfish, not owners).
Here’s the rub:
It is possible to confine a goldfish in a bowl cruelly, but it is also possible to cruelly confine a goldfish in a large aquarium that is not properly maintained. Although it is possible for goldfish to thrive in a fishbowl, maintaining the health of a goldfish in a fishbowl requires very specific care and maintenance.
What Makes A Healthy Goldfish Bowl?
There are ways you can make your goldfish feel healthy while keeping it in a bowl. Here are some things you can keep in mind!
Filtration
In their environment, goldfish produce a tremendous amount of detritus or bioload. Some people believe that goldfish cannot be kept with other fish due to their excessive waste production. Even if you only have one goldfish or twenty, you still need to ensure their tank is properly filtered.
Aquatic filtration systems do more than trap sediment and debris; they also provide an ideal environment for the growth of beneficial microorganisms. These beneficial bacteria consume ammonia and nitrite. In particular, filters are teeming with beneficial microbes because they thrive in moving water.
Aeration
As you may know, goldfish can, in fact, take a few breaths of air at a time. Labyrinth organs, which function similarly to lungs and allow goldfish to breathe room air, are unique organs found in goldfish.
Furthermore, they have gills that enable them to take in oxygen directly from the water. Even though goldfish are capable of breathing in air, they shouldn’t be forced to. Inadequately oxygenated water will cause distress and death in your goldfish.
Goldfish have a labyrinth organ as a means of survival; it is not intended to take the place of gills. If you give your goldfish aerated water, the water will be infused with oxygen, which the fish can use to breathe through their gills.
Aeration also implies water movement, which enhances the colonization of beneficial bacteria and provides a better environment for goldfish, which tend to prefer moving water.
Plants
People who keep goldfish in bowls also tend to maintain synthetic plants. Maybe it’s because people think plants in fishbowls are just for show, or because they don’t have enough room in the bowl, or because they don’t get enough light. It’s a widespread misunderstanding that a goldfish bowl doesn’t need any live plants.
Plants increase oxygen levels in a fish tank because they break down waste products like nitrate, and they also help the plants flourish. While live plants won’t completely filter the water in your goldfish’s tank, they are a great asset. It’s not hard to keep aquatic and semiaquatic plants alive and flourishing with frequent exposure to artificial or natural light.
Condition of the Water Supply
When it comes to giving your goldfish outstanding water quality, filtration and aeration are only two of the necessary puzzle pieces. A goldfish’s habitat will have a fast accumulation of ammonia and other harmful byproducts.
They accumulate most rapidly in confined spaces, such as a fish tank. Goldfish and plants both benefit from the oxygen and water flow provided by an aeration system, while a filtration system removes harmful substances like ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.
Before you add goldfish to your fishbowl, you should let the water circulate. Keeping a fish-in cycle going in a confined space like a fishbowl will be extremely challenging.
Fishbowls require regular water adjustments to keep the water clean. The number of goldfish in an aquarium and the height of its tank will determine how often this must be done. Keeping goldfish in a fishbowl will require regular maintenance, including at least weekly water adjustments. After treatment, new water introduced to the bowl will dilute the waste products and eliminate contaminants like chlorine.
The Problems With Bowl Life For Goldfish
The average lifespan of a goldfish kept in a bowl has never been studied scientifically. There is, however, a plethora of anecdotal information from fish owners resulting from years of fishbowl use. It has been documented that goldfish in aquariums can live anywhere from just a few months to 4 years, with the median lifespan being around a year.
Even with the finest of care, a goldfish in a bowl has a very low chance of living more than three years. Goldfish have a natural lifetime of 10–20 years, so a captivity lifespan of 3 years may seem reasonable.
Goldfish Can Get Quite Big
Pet shop goldfish and carnival giveaways are typically under an inch in length. This misleads owners into thinking a dish is sufficient housing for their fish, despite the fact that they are adolescents that will rapidly reach adulthood.
Goldfish can reach full maturity somewhere between six to thirteen inches in length, with the majority of their growth happening during their initial years of life. Always keep the animal’s expected adult growth in mind when selecting an environment for any pet. Keeping even one mature goldfish in a bowl designed for goldfish is impossible.
Goldfish Have A High Ammonium Output
Ammonia is a byproduct of all aquarium fish’s metabolic processes, but goldfish are particularly “dirty fish” because they generate such large quantities.
Toxic levels of ammonia can quickly accumulate in a confined environment like a fishbowl. Most fish bowls do not have a filtration device to rid the water of ammonia. While keeping live plants and doing frequent water changes can mitigate ammonia growth, the amounts will rise as the goldfish matures.
Whereas if water specifications are not returned to normal, a toxic buildup of ammonium can cause severe black or pink blisters recognized as ammonia burns and death by asphyxiation.
How Much Room Do Goldfish Require?
It depends on the size and species of goldfish.
Common Goldfish
The common variety is the most popular type of goldfish sold inexpensively as feeder fish or distributed as prizes at fairs. Despite being less glamorous than their fancy relatives, they have outgoing personalities and make wonderful pets.
With their long, lean bodies, straight fins, and solitary, erect tails, these fish can have powerful bursts of swimming. These fit fish require a lot of physical activity! They also reach an adult height of eight to twelve inches, making them the largest goldfish species. A single common goldfish requires an aquarium with a minimum length of four feet and a minimum volume of thirty gallons of water.
Fancy Goldfish
As their name implies, elegant goldfish are more elaborately decorated than their regular goldfish kin. They come in a broad range of vibrant colors and attractive body shapes. They all share short bodies, frilly fins, and a broad, horizontal tail that is frequently segmented into several parts.
Because of this, they are forced to swim in a manner that is slower and less effective than that of a typical goldfish: side-to-side wiggling. Fancy goldfish, therefore, don’t need as much room as regular goldfish. For a single favorite, a tank with a capacity of twenty gallons and a minimum length of three feet should be used.
Different Goldfish
Since goldfish are social creatures, they profit from having tankmates of their own kind. Luckily, they are not thought of as schooling fish but rather gregarious fish, so they do not require a “school” of five or six individuals. Two goldfish will get along just fine, but a larger school might be more entertaining to observe.
Ten extra gallons of water are required for every additional fancy goldfish. Add twelve more gallons of water for every extra common goldfish. Avoid keeping common and fancy goldfish together in the same tank because common goldfish swim much quicker and could beat out their fancy cousins for food.
Better Alternatives to the Fish Bowl
Sometimes choosing better alternatives to existing equipment is a better idea for not only goldfish but for all species of fish:
Glass Aquariums
It’s no surprise that glass tanks are the most popular option among goldfish keepers, as they provide a clear view of the fish inside. Always go for a longer tank rather than a taller one when shopping for a glass aquarium. Goldfish thrive in a long tank because they have more space to dart back and forth and swim around.
Also, more dissolved oxygen can be introduced into the water when the tank’s length is increased.
Aqueon Aquarium Fish Tank Starter Kit with LED Lighting 20 Gallon High Fish Tank is a good option. It is quite affordable too!
DIY Fish Tanks
You can make do with a big plastic storage tote as a goldfish tank if need be.
Although these aren’t as aesthetically pleasing as glass tanks, some novice aquarists may find them more convenient due to their low cost, high durability, and widespread availability.
Keep the tote away from small children and pets, and locate a filtration with suction cups capable of being attached to the tote’s side.
Ponds
Goldfish were first developed in Imperial China to be kept as ornamental pond fish, and they do quite well in such an environment. Goldfish can survive for up to twenty years if kept in a well-kept garden pond.
You can get a goldfish pond kit from just about any hardware shop, and it will provide your fish with a spacious and realistic habitat. Fancy goldfish may need to spend the winter in a heated indoor aquarium if they are kept outside.
Never introduce your goldfish to a wild waterway, lake, or river. As voracious eaters, goldfish could be bad news for local fish populations.
What If A Fishbowl Is Your Only Option?
A goldfish bowl might be your only viable choice in a sticky situation. Even if your budget only allows for a fishbowl, you can still provide a better environment for your fish.
Change The Water Every Day
Because of the inability of most fishbowls’ filtration mechanisms to eliminate ammonia, you should change the water in the bowl every day by a factor of half. Burns and suffocation caused by ammonia can be avoided if the amounts are kept under control.
Changing the water in your aquarium can be done with a clean cup, a tiny siphon, or a gravel vacuum. If you want to keep your fish alive, you need to be careful when pouring clean water into their tank.
Airstone
The purpose of an airstone, or similar equipment, is to increase oxygen levels in aquariums. The water quality in a fish tank can be greatly enhanced by the addition of an airstone, which does double duty by aerating the water and removing harmful gases.
A complete filtration system probably won’t fit in a fishbowl, but you can get an airstone that’s small enough to fit in a goldfish bowl.
Dechlorinator
Use a dechlorinator to get rid of the chlorine and any metals in the stream water before you do a water change. Dechlorinator is readily available in pet specialty shops and the pet areas of major supermarkets.
To ensure that your water is properly dechlorinated, be sure to follow the bottle’s dosing directions.
Enormous Plastic Tubs
If you’re a goldfish owner who’s desperate to upgrade your fish’s living conditions, a big plastic tote might be your best bet. Be sure to select a tote with no exterior openings, as some containers are provided with holes close to the handles to assist the lid attaching.
Try Looking Around For Pre-Owned Tanks
If you can’t afford a brand-new glass tank, look into used options instead. You can find these at garage markets, secondhand shops, and even on eBay. There are a lot of locally run fish stores that offer great deals on used equipment.
Ensure there are no leaks in a used aquarium before putting in fish or decorations.
Stress Indicators in a Goldfish Bowl
If you see a goldfish swimming inexplicably, flipping over, and banging up against the sides of its dish, don’t take it as a sign that it’s trying to have a deep and meaningful conversation with you. Abnormal swimming patterns are often a sign of a more severe issue. The quality of the water supply, a malfunctioning bladder, or a combination of these factors can all lead to this problem.
Fish that lie motionless at the bottom of the bowl, have an abnormally pale appearance, have clouded eyes, and don’t eat much are also obvious indications of stress. Have a test kit for the quality of the water on board so that you can conduct a second check for worsening conditions as soon as warning indications of stress are observed. Fish will rapidly deteriorate if the source of tension is not removed promptly.
Changing the water frequently may be beneficial if your fish bowl doesn’t have a filter or aerator. Even better, upgrade to a bigger, well-ventilated tank and watch as your fish flourishes.
Fishbowl Nutrient Cycling
Goldfish are high-maintenance. They create a lot of waste, use a lot of dissolved oxygen, and have multiple daily appetites. Goldfish without filters or aerators may die due to poor nitrogen cycling. Without aeration, a goldfish would need 20 liters of clean water. Bowls are bad for goldfish.
However, you may work around the fish bowl’s limitations if a bigger tank is impossible. If fish comfort is important, follow all of these rules.
Change The Water Frequently
The accumulation of toxic ammonia (from fish waste and uneaten food) can rapidly kill your fish in low-oxygen environments because nutrient cycling rates are slower in these conditions. Ammonia accumulation can be mitigated, and oxygen levels can be increased by performing regular water changes.
Include A Basic Aerator And Filter
Due to their size and form, goldfish bowls present unique challenges when trying to install an aerator or filter. Some cylinders and a miniature air stone could prove useful in this case. Have you thought about making an auxiliary filter?
This ought to make clean-ups a lot less of a chore and guarantee that any leftover food or fish waste is eliminated before it can contaminate the dish. I suggest the use of PENN PLAX air stones for goldfish tanks.
Avoid Overfeeding Your Goldfish
The water quality in a fish tank will quickly degrade if excessive food is fed to the fish. Due to their voracious appetites, goldfish are known to nibble at uneaten feeds, but this extra food should still be removed.
Only give your goldfish a quantity they can finish in just a few minutes. Any food that hasn’t been consumed should be discarded before it sinks. To avoid any potential health issues, goldfish should always be underfed rather than overfed.
Please Don’t Crowd The Receptacle
Having a fish all by itself can be lonely. Though there may appear to be enough room for another fish, doing so would cause more problems than it would solve. In reality, it would cut down on breathing room and oxygen for whoever started out in the basin.
FAQ
Possessing Goldfish In A Bowl Is Acceptable?
A fish that is otherwise healthy can become stunted due to a shortage of space, which can lead to problems with its internal organs that may not be immediately apparent but can become fatal over time. You can ensure that your goldfish has a happy and lengthy retirement by relocating him to a garden pond or a large tank where he will be able to age in a dignified manner.
In The Absence Of An Oxygen Pump, Can Goldfish Survive In A Bowl?
An air pump is essential for keeping goldfish alive because it increases the amount of water movement within the aquarium, which in turn serves to keep the oxygen level stable. Because there is insufficient oxygen in the tank, the goldfish won’t be able to sustain itself for more than forty-eight to sixty hours. When goldfish are seen gasping for breath at the water’s surface, it is a sign that there is not enough oxygen in the tank.
Are Lights Required For Goldfish?
When goldfish aren’t getting enough light, there have been reports of them turning a white color that isn’t healthful for them. When you make adjustments to the lighting, your fish will be able to tell whether it is day or night.
A dearth of light will have negative effects on the quality of sleep your goldfish get, the amount of food they consume, and even their behavior. You can learn more about goldfish and their sleeping patterns here!
Which Species Is Best Suited For A Confined Space, Like A Bowl?
Common tank fish that require little maintenance include guppies, zebrafish, goldfish, mollies, neon tetras, betta fish, and suckerfish.
Conclusion
If you want your goldfish to have plenty of room to swim around and relax, you should consider raising them in a pond outside rather than a small tank indoors. This will prevent the buildup of ammonia and the depletion of oxygen in the water. The water cannot cycle effectively in fish bowls, despite the fact that they can be equipped with tank apparatus. Even with daily water changes, water quality may be worse than in a rectangle tank.
Some nations have banned them because poorly maintained fish bowls can kill goldfish prematurely. According to government-run animal care units in Belgium, Germany, and Italy, fish bowls harm pet fish growth and survival. They know impulse buys and goldfish prizes drive fish tank sales.
Due to a lack of understanding of goldfish needs and growth, they often end up in bowls. Goldfish “can” live in bowls, but they shouldn’t. Even if it “looks” happy in the dish, put your fish in a tank if you have one. If you must use a fish bowl, follow the rules above.
