2006-10-19 11:48:49 · 10 answers · asked by ducks fan 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
That tank is only big enough to hold a betta and only 1! Goldfish need at least 20 gallons, it's a common misconception that they can live in small bowls/tanks. It will stunt their growth severly and they will die quickly (they can live 10+ years in the right environment.)
2006-10-19 11:53:29 · answer #1 · answered by Carson 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You could have 2 white cloud mountain minnows or 2 zebra danios- they don't need a heater. You could have a betta, or 2 guppies - altho if you have a male and female guppy you will have babies. Sorry to say, a little fish tank/bowl like that is really not much space. And no goldfish. They get too big and are fairly messy, making a lot of waste in the water. Add a plant.
You can buy a small undergravel filter or a small sponge filter to use with an air pump that will help with water quality. You will also need to change some of the water at least once a week or more often, and feed very lightly so you don't pollute the water.
2006-10-19 12:28:44 · answer #2 · answered by judy a 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Jeff H and Huh? are both right. The "Rule" is one inch of fish per gallon of water, and you are expected to base that on the adult size of the fish. However, the reasoning behind the one inch of fish rule is based on not only the swimming space but the bioload the fish will put on the tank. So, for a dirtier fish like a gold fish or an Oscar the rule isn't as effective, and likewise for slim clean fish like whiteclouds and tetras. Also, if you plan on transfering the fish to a larger tank as they grow, then your 1-2 gallon tank is really a nursery which is perfectly acceptable too.
Since you sound like you may be a beginner, I suggest you follow the rules so you can have a happier fish keeping experience. You don't need to be burdened with all the extra work required to put more, bigger, or dirtier fish in those tanks than the ideal setting.
I have kept goldfish and seen goldfish kept in bowls and tanks much smaller than that successfully and for many years. Goldfish are one of the fish species that will grow to the size of their tank space (not all fish will). Just keep in mind that even though the goldfish stays small, it is not in ideal conditions and that extra stress can lead to bad results.
A betta would be fine, but ideally a tank that small should be used for breeding or quarantine. The larger the tank you start out with the easier it is to maintain. If getting a larger tank is not an option then I suggest a betta, a couple of small danios or white clouds, but it also depends on your climate and the temperature of your home. BTW you should NEVER place a tank in direct sunlight, as a "rule" because it is usually lethal for your pet fish.
A cooler climate favors goldfish in that they will also produce less waste as they metabolize food slower. If your home stays in the 70's year around or more then you could keep a larger variety of tropicals. For instance a croaking gourami, pygmy cory cat, or pencil fish to name a few.
Just remember that everyone giving you advice, including me, has really had to learn by doing. Books will only take you so far, and so will the advice of experts. Do your best, treat the fish well, don't overcrowd or overfeed, keep the water healthy (learn the right way to do water changes), and have fun. If you don't enjoy it, there is no reason to keep fish.
Good Luck!
2006-10-19 14:07:26 · answer #3 · answered by wtonysimpson 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Rule of thumb is one inch of ADULT fish per gallon of water, however for goldfish that changes to 2 gallons of water since goldfish emit a lot of waste like ammonia.
A 1 or 2 gal fishtank isn't really fit for any type of fish, even though they do claim that bettas are just fine in one. I would not do that to any living creature.
The smaller a tank, the harder it will be to take care of. It is harder to keep the water chemistry in balance and the temperature just right in a small tank. For a beginner I would not recommend anything smaller than 10 gal, but preferably 20.
2006-10-19 13:01:29 · answer #4 · answered by Huh? 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Don't listen to people who say goldfish. It's not practical and the only way you could get it to work is by cleaning out the water every day, which would stress out the fish too much and kill it anyway.
Your choices are a betta, a shrimp, a zebra danio,or a whitecloud minnow. You might get a pair of the danios or minnows, but much more and it'd be too crowded.
None of those fish need water hotter than room temperature, and don't make much of a mess. That's why I reccomend them.
2006-10-19 19:12:11 · answer #5 · answered by dotman10 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Plastic ones and as many as you want. Get a bigger tank for real fish. Nothing smaller than 10 gallons.
2006-10-19 19:11:11 · answer #6 · answered by Wingaddict 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
one inch of fish per gallon of water
2006-10-19 12:03:46 · answer #7 · answered by jeff h 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
A betta, and that's it.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art3503.asp
2006-10-19 18:18:36 · answer #8 · answered by tikitiki 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
one per gallon and goldfish r the easiest to care for. u don't have to worry about water temp and they don't get diseases like tropical fish do.
2006-10-19 11:52:31 · answer #9 · answered by Nora G 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Put in rainbow trout! Then when they get bigger you can have friends over for REALLY fresh sushi !!!
2006-10-19 13:01:21 · answer #10 · answered by The Oldest Man In The World 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋