Goldifsh troubles, answer please?

Question

I have three goldfish. They are all in a fishbowl. I'm a first time fish owner, so I don't know what's going on. Only ONE of my fish is at the top (NOT DEAD) and it just sits there, sometimes it goes to the bottom. My other two fish are just fine, swimming around and everything. 

I think the fish might be sick... I got it from PetCo, and pretty much all the fish there are a bit beat up, mine has pieces of fin missing.

I just cleaned the fishbowl, so is he just sick or did I do something?

PS- I haven't even had the fish for one day.

? · Accepted Answer

Fish do not live in bowls. Goldfish get 18 inches long and a single goldfish needs a 75 gallon fish tank. They are suffering from ammonia poisoning or lack of oxygen. I suggest you return them, tell them you were provided with horribly misleading information, and do not buy a goldfish unless you are willing to buy a large tank. You could get a 5 gallon tank with a heater and filter, and get a betta.

Allanas · Answer

Bowls are death traps for ALL fish, but especially goldfish.

Goldfish poop and pee a lot.  They can completely foul a fish bowl in a matter of hours.

Each fish needs at least 10 gallons while it's still a baby, and for 3 adults, you'll need closer to 50 gallon.  75 would be ideal.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER buy animals at Petco.  They aren't treated well, and are usually dying when you buy them.



What to do now?
Nothing.  Hope for the best.  You'll probably lose all of them though.

When the pet store opens either get a bigger tank, or return the fish.  Nothing smaller than a 30 gallon, and you'll need to plan on upgrading within a year.  May as well buy the 50 or 75 gallon now and save some money.

jogi · Answer

The answer to any "Can (Insert Fish Name) be kept in a bowl?" is always no, and that's your biggest problem - lack of research. Pet shop people literally can read your mind and will easily mislead you to buy crappy bowls only to have your fish dead the next day. 

3 goldfish need something like a mini pond-ish set up, if they are fancies you could place them in a 40 gallon.

Anonymous · Answer

PLEASE PEOPLE, STOP PUTTING GOLDFISH IN BOWLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i bet none of them last the month.
you and everyone else who keep goldfish in bowls with out filters need to understand, when the fish poos or wees, it is poisoning itself, slowly all of your fish will surcum to ammonia poisoning and die, unless you do something about it, for now just get a 20 gallon which is double filtered  (get a 40 gallon one), keep the water clean and you should have goldfish that live for many many many years.

? · Answer

I feel sorry 4 u but he could die as he as special needs because i had a fish like that once but he died called bubbles. dont worry he should last a few months or you could return him to the shop

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Goldifsh troubles, answer please?

5 Answers