Novice’s Guide To Housing Goldfish

If you’re thinking of keeping goldfish in a bowl because the cost of setup looks quaint and it takes up little space…knock that silly idea out of your head!

Confining goldfish to a small bowl or container is cruel, as these fish have a propensity to grow very large. It not only leads to premature death, but also stunts growth, deforming them internally and externally.

Bowls don’t work too partly because goldfish produce huge amounts of ammonia and waste. These toxic elements poison the water fast. Imagine the situation worsening in meager, cramped spaces.

Being coldwater fish, goldfish also need plenty of oxygen—something you won’t find in bowls with small surface areas.

If you’ve heard others boast about how their goldfish have lived up to three years in a bowl, get this: Goldfish, if taken care of properly, can live up to 25 years or more!

Suffice it to say, dunking your goldfish in a bowl won’t improve their quality of life, let alone encourage longevity.

If these still don’t convince you, you’re welcome to read my earlier post on Why Goldfish Won’t Thrive Well In a Bowl.

Housing Your Goldfish The Proper Way

Aquarium Tank: Get a tank! It’s unavoidable if you want your pet fish happy and healthy.

Buy the best you can afford, something that will last your fish a lifetime. Remember, they are going to grow a lot, both length- and body-wise.

Don’t overload the tank. Some experts recommend about 10 gallons of water per goldfish, and that’s just for fry and the young ones!

Filter: A good filter is vital in maintaining a healthy environment for your fish. Power filters are a good choice, they’re easy to clean, come in many sizes, and priced reasonably.

Which filter you buy also depends on your tank size and how many fish you have. I’ve written a number posts on filter, do a search around this site it should bring out a few of them. For a start, you might want to read this: The Various Types Of Aquarium Filter And Their Functions.

Lid: Cover the tank with a lid. It not only stops startled fish from jumping out, but also cools the water in the tank. As goldfish are coldwater fish, you need to keep the water temperature down—and this can be tricky with tropical climate areas. Buy a thermometer to monitor the temperature daily.

Air Pump: Getting an air pump to aerate the water is a wise move, though not entirely necessary if the tank’s surface area is big. Here are two articles to get you acquainted about air pump: Understand the Basic Uses of Aquarium Water Pump and Tips on Choosing an Air Pump For Your Aquarium.

Aquarium Decor: Decorating your tank? Safety first! Steer clear of sharp, dangerous ornaments that may cause injury to species like the Bubble Eye.

Gravel: Choose dark-colored gravel to set off your goldfish colors. Gravel not only holds plants downs, but also provide a home for good bacteria to grow. Goldfish, being the natural grazers they are, will love searching the substrate for good morsels. The choice is on you though—to clean the gravel consistently and thoroughly! More reading pleasure on gravel: Easy and Effective Ways to Learn About Aquarium Gravels, Are You Laying The Right Substrate For Your Aquarium?, and Aquarium Substrate: Gravel Basic.

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