Trouble is I only have a rain barrel to keep them in. Will they be ok?
2006-10-09 07:06:20 · 23 answers · asked by Petdrothefisherman 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
A rain barrel should be fine for the three of them, but if they start breeding, you might have to make a pond for them. My goldfish (started off with 2) bred the following spring and had about 50 babies! They were great parents. That was 8 years ago, and the original pair died but there are still 25 of their offspring left. The hardest time for them is not winter; although it depends where you live. If the pond freezes over for days on end, it traps in toxins, so you need to make a hole and I suggest you do this carefully otherwise you could shock the fish into dying. Many good books on the subject.
For me, the worst time is summer. I need to top up the water everyday, then they are fine.
Good for you, saving them! I hope you will enjoy their company for many years!
2006-10-09 07:21:42 · answer #1 · answered by kiteeze 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes provided they are not too big. You would be advised to get a small air pump as a rain barrel does not have a large water surface. If you put them in a bag of water that they are in now and float it for 20 mins then over the next 20 mins add a bit of the barrel water. then release them. Protect the barrel from cats birds ect. If you get a severe frost you will need to protect the barrel. I would not advise putting them in a fish tank as they are a very messy fish and need a lot of cleaning. Good luck,, Hope all goes well..
2006-10-10 10:08:29 · answer #2 · answered by bodtheimpaler 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How large are the fish? How sheltered from the elements is the rainbarrel? Do you live in a temperate climate where the water will freeze solid in the rainbarrel?
It could be an expensive proposition to properly maintain the goldfish if they are large. Why not put them in the paper for sale? They might fetch a good price. Have them appraised by a knowledgeable staff member at a pet shop that deals in fish, or a lawn and garden store.
Someone who pays for them is likely to take really good care of them, and you get some money to boot.
2006-10-09 14:12:22 · answer #3 · answered by fergal_lawler_iowa 2 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Make sure you adjust them to the water temp or they will die very quickly.....when you transfer them you should capture them in the water they've been living in in the pond. Do this in a plastic bag. When you want to put them into their new home, leave them in the bag floating in their new water for about 6hours, this will allow their temp to gradually adjust...I learnt this the hard way!
You'll also need to buy some oxygenating plants from the garden centre and some fish food :)
2006-10-09 14:20:02 · answer #4 · answered by smugsy 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Remember that goldfish need about 15 gallons all to themselves, so if they have enough room, they should be fine.
People make water features, complete with fish, out of all sorts of things, including barrels.
Look up watergardens on the internet.
2006-10-09 14:18:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They will be OK for a while, but best if you can find a Friend or neighbour who would add them to their pond. Unless you start digging now! It will take several weeks to let a new pond settle though, before you add them to it.
2006-10-09 14:16:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They will be fine for a few days, best off digging a pond or buying a tank.
2006-10-09 14:16:22 · answer #7 · answered by Rich S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go buy a cheap tank. Problem is that whatever you put them in - there will be a nitrogen cycle that will start up, and you may lose them anyways.
That really sucks - sorry to hear your friend is an idiot.
2006-10-09 15:13:34 · answer #8 · answered by sly2kusa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you will be OK with a rain barrel temporary or you could release them in the local pond/river.
2006-10-09 14:14:08 · answer #9 · answered by nikgy71 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Only for a very short time otherwise they will die.
they need to kept in a proper fish tank with oxygen pumping into the water and remember to feed them fish food.
Go to a fish shop and get some professional advise.
2006-10-09 14:11:16 · answer #10 · answered by Beautiful - 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋