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by EmmaleeGW on April 8th, 2005

EmmaleeGW

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Every time I go to a pet store to buy a goldfish, they always have them in a tank with an air pump. When I get them home and put them in a "goldfish bowl" they always die. Why is this? Is it because I don't have an air pump?

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Answers. 12 helpful answers below.

  • by Novarius on April 26th, 2006

    Novarius

    Hard and Fast Rule: For goldfish under 6" allow 10 gallons per fish, minimum tank size of 20 gallons. For goldfish over 6" allow 20 gallons per fish, minimum tank size 55 gallons.

    Second hard and fast rule: Tap water has clorine in it, designed to kill germs and keep them from making you sick. You need to let tap water sit for a day or two to dissipate the chlorine before you add it to your aquarium or your fish will die.

    Third hard and fast rule: Never feed more than the fish can eat in two minutes, or it will eventually develop one or more often fatal conditions caused by intestinal blockage. In the same boat be sure you're feeding the proper foods for a goldfish.

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  • by unknown on April 13th, 2005

    unknown

    There are many different things that could be causing your Goldfish to die. Over feeding or too cold water, for example. Fish are usually very sensitive, and lots of them end up dying.
    If Fish are kept in a bowl or tank without an air pump, their main oxygen supply is the oxygen that can enter the tank or bowl through the water surface. If the water surface of the tank is small, or your tank is covered, your fish might be dying from lack of oxygen.
    I would recommend that you get a small fish tank. You dont need to have a pump and you can keep more than one fish. Your fish will be happier and will live much longer!

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  • by ellenej22 on April 21st, 2005

    ellenej22

    Please take a moment and read this page on a website:

    http://www.petlibrary.com/goldfish/fishcare.htm

    Goldfish, when given proper care, can live up to ten years! They also grow quite large, but their growth is stunted when kept in a small bowl, and will usually end up dying prematurely. They are also very dirty fish, so getting a filter for you tank would be a wise idea, though with weekly cleaning, it may not be necessary.

    On the recommended website, you will also find information regarding water temperature, overfeeding, water quality, and such. The only fish that can do well in a "Goldfish bowl" is a Betta fish, (Siamese fighting fish). These fish actually go up to the surface and gulp air, unlike other fish which get their oxygen from the water and need larger surface areas and/or air pumps. So if you're not ready to invest in a tank, you might want to try one of those. They are also very pretty to look at and come in a wide variety of colors.

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  • by tjatherton on October 29th, 2006

    tjatherton

    Goldfish are very dirty fish. You must change the water daily or add chemicals to it for the ammonia (fish pee) will kill it.
    If you change the water daily, make sure that the tap water has "sat" for at least 24 hours to rid it of chemicals added by the water company.
    Sometimes you buy "feeder" goldfish, they are very cheap, 12 for $1.50 and they are meant to be fed to other fish. They usually die within a week. Make sure you are buying a regular goldfish, not meant to be a feeder.

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  • by Daz_2006 on October 29th, 2006

    Daz_2006

    Goldfish should not be kept in a bowl, and should be kept in a tank - but, if a bowl is the Only option for you- try decreasing the amount of Ornaments you have including plants , these may be restricting the goldfishes movement, also purchase a Small air pump/filter specially made for bowls they are around £4 from the Garden centre or Pet shop, you will notcie the fish will be more Acitve, when Oxygen is added to the water!

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  • by francesca says on March 3rd, 2006

    francesca says

    If you have a lid on this fish bowl it means the fish cannot get oxygen and die. Like turtles fish need both water and air to survive. Air pumps are used for keeping the fish tank clean and supplying air to the fish. If you ask me I believe air pumps are very useful not only for keeping the fish alive and healthy in a clean envioronment. There are two main differences with these products.
    Air pumps do not have a filter to keep the fish tank clean but cost just the same as a filter.
    Filters however do both jobs and are the best for your fish.

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  • by keiran on July 23rd, 2009

    keiran

    Personaly i think that to put a goldfish in a "goldfish bowl" is first of all cruel, they are so small, i mean would u like to live in a small cupboard?

    And it also causes a lot of problems because when your goldfish goes poopie its swiming in it, and because theres not a lot of water in the bowl then the poo is more concentrated meaning that the water will be high in ammonia which is poisonous to the fish.

    It is also a good idea to get an air pump and a small air stone if you insist on using a "bowl", because a bowl has less surface area to allow for oxygen to enter the water and when the bubbles break the surface if the water that will basicaly mix oxygen into the water.

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  • by Elgoldfish on January 23rd, 2006

    Elgoldfish

    An air pump is anything but neccesarry, my goldfish have been healthy and alive for more than 1 year with no air pump. it might just be the fish needs a tank and not a bowl

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  • by Prunesquallor on July 25th, 2010

    Prunesquallor

    Goldfish bowls are a good way of killing fish. There is far too little water in contact with the air for proper oxygenation.

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  • by Raddman on July 25th, 2010

    Raddman

    Because most all fish need oxygen in their water to breath, their gills remove the oxygen from the water...I'm surprised they didn't tell you this at the store or after your first few died you asked why???? Air pumps are under $10 if you're too cheap to go that route then change the water every other day making sure you aerate the water from the tap! Good luck...

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  • by mhmmm on November 27th, 2009

    mhmmm

    Goldfish are the dirtiest fish of them all becuase they eat soo much they produce much waste so yoou need a air pump or a filter with a circulater,, also when ypu takeyour gold fish home make shure that you have had tyou tank with the filter runing for at leastt! 24 hours with water conditner in it,, they say for every half an inch is one gallon of water soo they say only get 2 fosh for an 10 gallon tank but i dont belive that! as long as you have the filter and air pump.

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  • by mhmmm on December 12th, 2009

    mhmmm

    well it depends its good to have an airpump but i dont have one because i have a filter and it circulates the water so as log as you have somewhat circulation you are okay however you do need a fitlter and make shure you filter your water 1 or 2 days befor ytou put your fish in there

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