Goldfish Bowl
The standard goldfish bowl with it’s bubble shape has been for years the go to home for a new pet goldfish. It’s an iconic image that most people associate with the first time fish owner. It’s small in size, it looks easy to maintain and the common goldfish is inexpensive; perfect for a beginner with no experience. Sure, for the most part this is true but many pet goldfish don’t live as long as they should. The main cause for an untimely death is due to improper care. Two common mistakes include overfeeding and infrequent water changes.
The Basics
- Beginners: Common Goldfish
- Beginners: Bowl Size
- Beginners: Water
- Beginners: Introduce a New Goldfish to a Tank
- Beginners: Clean a Bowl
- Beginners: Goldfish Food
- Beginners: Sick Goldfish
Goldfish Information
- Fair Goldfish Care
- Care Guide
- How to Take Care of a Goldfish
- Recommended Books
- Tank Mates
- Invasive Wild Goldfish
Interesting Facts
Anatomy
- Basic Anatomy Chart
- The Cold-Blooded
- How Goldfish Breathe through Gills
- The Skin of a Goldfish
- How Goldfish Hear
- The Swim Bladder
- Goldfish
- The Nose of a Goldfish
Get Supplies
- 2gal Glass Bowl
- 7.9gal Aquarium
- 10gal Aquarium
- Need an upgrade or a larger tank
Other basics supplies
Goldfish Bowls and Why you Should Consider an Upgrade to a Goldfish Aquarium
A small goldfish bowl requires more cleaning and maintenance than a goldfish aquarium tank. Goldfish can grow large and will outgrow a bowl sooner than later. If a pet goldfish owner has the space, a 10 or 20 gallon tank is recommended. By providing enough space and water for a goldfish to grow and cutting down on the frequency of goldfish care and maintenance for the owner, both owner and goldfish will be much happier.
Not finding what you are looking for; get more goldfish information on the following topics:
- aquarium water issues
- goldfish diseases
- types of goldfish breeds
- general aquarium care
- testing water
- cycling
- aquatic plants
- goldfish pond care
Usually if you buy it from a pet store, the plastics should be aquarium safe. In the tank you want to get, I would only get on goldfish. Yes the like pebbles and plants or things to hide in or around. If you can, get a small (micro) filter for the tank too. best of luck
I want to buy one goldfish, but I gonna get a small plastic tank with the coloured cover, is plastic ok tho? Does a fish need pebbles?
Thx!
That’s good that you change the water every other day. If you just have a bowl, if you add another goldfish, you will probably need to change the water everyday. What I would do is buy an ammonia test kit and test your water, if with one goldfish, the ammonia levels don’t get to dangerous levels a day after you change the water, then you might be able to get another one. Honestly though, I would stick to one goldfish for your small bowl. Eventually your goldfish will grow and there won’t be enough room for two.
It’s also good that you are not over feeding your goldfish; you are cutting down on waste and in turn, your water will stay cleaner longer.
I AM A FIRST TIME GOLD FISH OWNER, I HAD TWO GOLD FISH, BUT ONE DIED, I AM TRYING TO TAKE CARE OF THE REMAINING ONE I HAVE, I PLAN ON GETTING ANOTHER GOLD FISH TO KEEP HIM COMPANY, I KEEP MY GOLD FISH IN A MEDIUM SIZED BOWL, IT SEEMS T LIKE IT, AND I CHANGE THE WATER EVERY OTHER DAY, AND FEED HIM EVERY OTHER DAY…
That could be ammonia burns or your goldfish trying to fight off an infection. Test the water for ammonia and continue your water changes. Also you can try to use a broad spectrum medication to treat a number of bacterial or fungus infections. see the all my goldfish illness posts in the Goldfish Aquarium section.
My goldfish is in a bowl and is developing black spots. I just had one die which had the same problem. I change about 50% of the water every day. I feed it every other day, part goldfish food and part veggie, e.g. pea or broccoli. Why the spots and what is the treatment?
i love goldfish i have 50 they a so gold
thanks
I agree with that statement – bowls are usually too small for goldfish and a tank is much better. However, some goldfish owners do use bowls so I want to help them out by providing the best goldfish care advice I can give them. Like constant water changes and limiting how many goldfish you put into any given size of bowl/tank.
If you want your goldfish to be happy DON’T put it in a bowl, buy a small aquarium for him !
bowls are just too small for a pet, even for a fish.