what fish?

Question

I want to get some fish - i dont want to get heaters and pumps just yet, just a nice bowl, what kind a fish can i keep with out heaters and pumps?

Other than goldfish they are boring

Answer 1

Hi!

You can keep the following in a fish bowl or fish tank without any air pump, bubbler or filter:

1. Siamese Fighting Fish also known as Betta Splendens. Keep only one in a tank due to its aggressive nature. It harasses any tankmate to death. It possesses a labyrinth organ which allows it to breathe air directly from the water surface. It actually prefers still water and doesn't like the wavy movements created by an air pump or filter.

2. Dwarf Gourami, Blue Gourami, or any member of the Gourami family. Like the Fighting Fish, the gourami has a labyrinth organ so no need for air pump and filter. It becomes semi-aggressive if placed in a small tank so better keep just one in your bowl.

3. Bronze Corydoras, Leopard Corydoras, Skunk Botia, or any small member of the Catfish family. They're all bottom feeders, constantly staying at the bottom and scraping your gravel for left-over food and algae. They possess oxygen-storing bellies which allows them to survive in oxygen-depleted waters even for many years. You can keep 1-2 in your bowl. These fish are peaceful community fish (except for the Skunk Botia which must stay in a species-exclusive tank or a cichlid tank). No need for air pump and filter.

4. Paradise Fish. Keep only one given its pugnacious character and cannibalistic tendencies. It has labyrinth organ so no need for air pump and filter.

Some sectors suggest the goldfish. However, given their high ammonia content, growing size, and cold temperature requirements, you'd better keep them in a pond or an aquarium of at least 10 gallon capacity. Goldfish thrive best in a large swimming environment. Once placed in small tanks or bowls, they pollute a lot, get sick often, and die quickly.

: )

Answer 2

White Cloud Mountain Minnows are small, you can keep a shoal of them but I'd suggest a small tank rather than the bowl! It's not a good home for a fish and especially NOT a goldfish! They should only be kept in larger tanks or ponds other-wise it causes 'stunting' the fish appears to stop growing but the internal organs continue to and this leads to disease, malformation or sudden death! A Gold-fish can live over 20 years and reach over a foot long! You could also keep several other species that tolerate cold water and may I suggest a visit to this web-site! www.thinkfish.co.uk. They have a large data base and a community creator where you can put in tank size and fish and see which are compatible! Like most good sites they don't recommend Gold-fish! Without a filter you will need to do frequent water changes to keep any fish healthy! It isn't just a case of filling a container and putting in a fish (remember they produce waste) Would you want to live in your toilet?

Answer 3

If you consider fish 'boring' and you don't really want to invest the time/money/effort (which is what I'm getting from this post-sorry if I'm wrong) then don't get a fish hun. Fish take a lot of work. Moreso if you don't have heaters/pumps/etc.

Answer 4

By the way, how many gallons is your bowl size? Hopefully at least 2 gallons.

My suggestion would be 3-4 small fish such as tetras, danios, or mollies, Platies, and Guppies. --> I use to have 2 gals fishbowl with 6 Guppies in it...too crowded but they survive provided routine partial water change.

As for goldfish....Hmmm... it's not recommended unless you have a small goldfish size 1 - 1.5" then you can put two inside the bowl. When they get bigger (> 1.5"), replace them with new small goldfish. --> it's possible I used to have them too, but requires every other day 40-50% water change. But, of course they won't achieve their best health and growth.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Never keep fish in a bowl cos its cruel. They slowly suffocate. A coldwater fish needs 194cm squared of the surface water per 2.5cm of the fish. Apart from that go to your local pet shop and ask what coldwater fish are available, be sure to get scientific names. Then look them up on the net using the scientific name. There's loads on them nd you particularly need to take note of which fish live well together, pH and temperature.

Answer 6

You cannot keep any fish without a heater & pump.

Answer 7

Goldfish are not boring BUT they CANNOT live in a bowl anyway. A betta is going to be your best bet. You will have to change all of the water every 5 days. The crown tails are nice and interesting breed.

Answer 8

elizabeth I admire you because you're a thinker and you'll go far. There are some fresh water fish that are not expensive and are small and colourful and are hardy. They can be kept in a tank or a bowl without aeration or heating in fact..cold water. Most aquarium shops should have them and they are called.....White cloud mountain minnows and they are originated from the streams of Canton in China.

Answer 9

Just look for coldwater, rather than tropical fish. You wont need a heater, just make sure the tank is regularly cleaned out.

Answer 10

You can keep a goldfish. If you have a bigger bowl, the Chinese way is 3 goldfish, like baby dragons, a black one symbolizing protection, and 2 orange goldfish symoblizing good luck and energy.