I won 2 goldfish tonight at the fair for my daughters. They came home in little plastic critter carriers. I am now scared that they may die because they don't have any air tubeing. Does anyone ele have goldfish living like this? If they do die are there any fish that can live a safetly in a critter keeper without air tubeing? I know bettas can, but is ther anything that you can put in with a betta? Or is there anything I could put in it? Such as a frog, sucker fish, shirmp? Thanks!
2006-08-11 17:37:43 · 11 answers · asked by kim r 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Goldfish can be great pets, and reportedly they can live to be 40 years old. However, they are messy fish and take a bit of attention. First off, the air tubing/bubbler is not essential--but it works well and is cheap. These do not, in and of themselves, oxygenate the water. Instead, they simply keep the water moving, bringing water from the bottom to the surface where it is oxygenated. This is important. There are numerous pumps and filters that can do this, but the air tubing/bubbler is the most common and cheapest. Like I said, though, goldfish are messy, you are going to need a filter. There are a billion different filters available, but at Walmart and most pet stores you should be able to find cheap little disposable filters that attach to air line tubing. The filters that I am thinking of are 4 inch (about 10cm) long rectangular plastic boxes that have suction cups to stick on the side. For $10-$15 (USD), if you shop wisely, you can both filter and oxygenate your small tank.
Small tank, this is the next problem. Goldfish can become large and will need space to grow, as well as water to dilute their waste some that they don't literally suffocate in their own pee. A rule of thumb is 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of water for every 1/2 - 1 inch (1.25-2.5 cm) of fish in a fresh water tank. It is recommended that you not keep goldfish in any tank less than 10 gallons (38 liters).
Keeping fish takes some skill. The biggest things to remember is to never overfed them...about once a day if they are in a small tank and only a few flakes, what they can eat in about 3 minutes. Also, it is important to change the water frequently, about 25-50% of the water every 2-4 weeks, even more frequently if you have a small tank. Make sure to use decholrinator (available from Walmart for about $3).
I can understand your predicament. You just won these cheap fish from a fair, you don't know if they are diseased and bound to die anyway, but you want to give them the best chance that you can without having to fork out a bundle of cash and end up with them dead regardless. Consider trying this: keep them in the little plastic carriers for now. Buy an air pump and the cheap disposable filters that I mentioned. If you have them in separate carriers then buy a manifold (a splitter) device (about $2 at Walmart) and you can run tubing to both of them from one pump. Change about 1/2 of the water every other day and feed the fish on the days that you are not changing the water (they will not starve). If you can keep them alive for about a week or more, consider getting a cheap 10-20 gallon aquarium starter kit.
Bettas are special fish, by the way. They have evolved to live in low oxygen environments...which is way they can live in small containers. Once you have a bigger tank you can consider putting an algae eater or a snail in the tank, but not until then. In a small tank they will just take up more oxygen and create more mess. Good luck.
2006-08-11 18:08:38 · answer #1 · answered by Wayne D 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Keeping a fish in a bag is quite creul, as they are cramped and have low oxygen. Buy them a bowl immeadataly. Aquiriums and bowls can be used fairly safely if you give a 30% water change weekly and "airate" the water every few days by getting a cup, scooping up the fish water, and dumping it back inside. However, there are some species of fish that can live without the airation, such as Bettas, Gouramis, Bichirs, etc. But just because these fish do not need as airated water as others does not mean they do not require some matience.
2006-08-12 01:14:40 · answer #2 · answered by kiddowey 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gold fish need about i gallon of water per half an inch of there body to live a happy life. Goldfish bowls are BAD for goldfish because they leave your fish gasping for air. Your goldfish grow so get a tank that may seem to large for them now. The water in your tank must be clean. So, get a filter and do water changes every week. Buy a fish food specifically for goldfish, they have diffrent diet needs then other fish. DONT OVER FEED YOUR FISH!!! get to know your fish, so you can quickly spot odd behavior (that can be a sign of disease). Air pumps are good for goldfish too, they help them thrive. Gravel and plants will give your goldfish places to hide, and feel more at home. good luck with your fish and do some major REASEARCH!!!!
2006-08-15 10:16:57 · answer #3 · answered by bettachick6721 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you need to properly take care of a goldie:
At least a 20g for the first fish and then 10g per additional fish as they produce a lot of ammonia in their waste and get really big.
A strong filter to help combat their waste.
A varied diet.
Weekly water changes.
Monitor your ammonia and other chem levels.
TLC.
Get your goldies a proper aquarium. No other fish goes with them since goldies are coldwater and just about every other type of fish is a tropical species.
As far as the air tubing, you don't need it persay if you have the filter, but I recommend it.
2006-08-12 02:12:31 · answer #4 · answered by Zoer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had goldfish in tanks with no air tubing before, and they lived fine. Right now I have a beta and a sucker fish living together in a plastic critter carrier type thing and they get along great. The beta has lived like that for almost a year and the sucker fish about 6 months. Their names are Kif (beta) and Zoidberg (sucker fish).
2006-08-12 00:44:24 · answer #5 · answered by Dana Renee 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Your goldfish should be fine. They require no air tubing. Just a hole or open top. The biggest downfall to having goldfish is that they are really messy and produce alot of waste. If they should die, I recommend a beta fish since they are relatively easy to care for. With a beta fish, there arn't many fish you can put in with it, if any (not off the top of my head). But a snail should be fine.
I also recommend getting a glass bowl as they are easier to clean and they only cost a few bucks.
2006-08-12 01:22:38 · answer #6 · answered by Akuma 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Just make sure they're in something that has a large surface area so that more oxygen can get into the water. And then tomorrow u can get them a nice lil tank with a filter and all.
2006-08-12 00:45:39 · answer #7 · answered by M C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
gold fish do not need air circulation. Dont add any other fish. Goldfish can only live with other goldfish. They will do just fine as long as they are in a one gallon enviornment each. If they live together than they need at least 3 gallons of water to be happy. I personally would put them in a 5 gallon just to make them happier
2006-08-12 00:45:19 · answer #8 · answered by Crystal S 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I think the housing that carnival/fair goldfish come in are meant to be temporary. Get a goldfish bowl.
2006-08-12 00:44:19 · answer #9 · answered by andreahud 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Gold Fish will be ok. Just get the things you need tomorrow or when you can.
2006-08-12 03:07:23 · answer #10 · answered by Nikki 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋