i have a question about fish?

Question

wich one do you think you be better a betta fish or a gold fish?
do you think this bowl would be ok for either the betta or some gold fish: http://www.petco.com/product/9454/Classic-Drum-Style-Fish-Bowls.aspx
( if yes for gold fish how many do you think i could have in there?
do you need a filter or pump if i wash out the bowl once a week?

i have chosen a betta fish do you think he would do better in this bowl: http://www.petco.com/product/9431/Classic-Fish-Bowl.aspx
then the other one???

ok thank you every one for your advice and what do u think of this?
http://www.petco.com/product/10313/All-Glass-Mini-Bow-2-5-Little-Lagoon-Starter-Kits.aspx

hey soup nazi it has a filter here heres the discription:
* 2 1/2 gallon All-Glass bowfront acrylic tank.
* Whisper Internal Micro Filter
* Full lighted hood with bulb and convenient feeding door.
* Colorful base.
* 0.42 oz. of Tetra Aqua Safe One-Step Formula Water Conditioner that prepares your tank for fish by neutralizing chlorine and heavy metals and removing chloramine and toxic ammonia.
* 0.11 oz. of TetraMin Tropical Flakes.
* Betta divider so that you can keep two betta. The divider slides into a molded guide in the tank and is held in place by gravel and decorations. The slotted divider provides proper water circulation in both sides of the aquarium along with maximum filtration while keeping betta apart. It's great for separating species or preventing territorial aggression.

Answer 1

In my opinion, all fish deserve real tanks with filters, and for tropical fish, heaters... Bowls are really not adequate because they don't provide stability in temperature, nor do they prevent the buildup of waste materials... A 2.5 gallon tank with a heater and a filter would be immensely better... If you do decide to get a bowl, get the first one (a round bowl provides more swimming area than a drum, which only allows for swimming in one direction...) with a Betta, and be sure to do at least 2 water changes a week to keep the waste down. Common Goldfish should reach almost 2 feet as adults, making them entirely unsuitable for bowls, and really, much less than a pond... Fancy Goldfish will reach about 8-10 inches, so a 20 gallon tank is generally the smallest they should be housed in... Contact me if you have any questions.

Soop Nazi

EDIT: The new tank is certainly a step up from the bowl, but still less than ideal... You could pull it off with twice-weekly water changes.

Answer 2

Goldfish and Betta have completely different needs. Which one is better is a matter of personal opinion.

Goldfish are coldwater fish. Betta need a heater.

Bowls are not good homes for any fish. Betta can survive in a bowl, however, they would simply survive rather than thrive. Goldfish should never be kept in bowls.... ever.

All fish need adequate mechanical and biological filtration. Neither can be adequately maintained in a bowl.

The smallest variety of goldfish needs a minimum 10 gallon filtered tank for a single fish. This tank will eventually need to be upgraded as they fish grows. Goldfish require stringent maintenance routines if the fish is to live it's 10+ year life expectancy in good health.

Bettas have a labyrinth organ which allows them to breathe air directly from the surface of the water. This is why a betta can survive in a bowl, however, it will not thrive. Bowls must have water changes every 2 - 3 days to eliminate harmful ammonia and other unhealthy toxins. A small tank with a filter will make keeping a betta much healthier and cleaning the tank will be much easier than caring for a betta in a bowl.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Answer 3

This is the only goldfish I'd put in that bowl: http://healthylife.typepad.com/nutrition_and_health/goldfish.jpg

Regardless of who sells the bowls and what they say, NO fish is suited to life in a bowl. Goldfish will reach a minimum of 4-5 inches as an adult, and that's only for one variety of fancy goldfish. Commons (the feeder-type goldfish) have the potential to reach 10-18 inches. They produce too much waste to life without a filter (a real one, not one that uses a bubble stone) and shouldn't be in anything less than 10 gallons per fish. As adults, that may need up to 20 gallons per fish.

Bettas would work better because of their size and ability to breathe air at the surface, but they are tropical fish and need a heater to keep their water 76-86oF. And without a filter, they should have their water changed (100%) every 2-3 days. They should also have at least a gallon of water, although I prefer to use 2.5-5 gallon tanks for mine (and yes, they're the only fish in these tanks).

If you want to keep fish and are looking for something that doesn't require much room, consider getting a mini-bow like this: http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/22435/product.web They come in 1, 2.5 and 5 gallon sizes and can be found at WalMart. They come with the tank, light, and filter (and also have some flake food and water conditioner). You'll only need to get gravel, a heater and some decorations, and you'll have a much better home for a betta (NOT a goldfish!).


ADDITION: That last one is about the same as the 2.5 gallon mini bow, it just has a divider. That would be a lot better of a choice for your betta. If you only plan to keep one betta, you can check what comes with that kit against what's in the one of the same size as the minibow I posted as it's sold at WalMart: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3635102 The 2.5 without a divider is only $25.76 (plus tax), and I don't see spending an additional $15 for a plastic divider.

Answer 4

Swat - here are some facts.

Goldfish are VERY messy. They will dirty their water very fast and you will have to clean a bowl that size out at least twice a week or your fish will get internal bacterial infections that either kill it or cost you more money in medicines.

A betta fish will jump out of that bowl. They are cleaner but you would still have to do a water change every 2-3 days to prevent disease.

Can I suggest you go for a betta but get it a cheaper, larger tank with a filter? That way you have a stunning fish to look at but you don't have to do so much work to keep it alive.

Betta fish are jumpers. They need a covered tank of at least 2 litres. They also breathe air so need space at the top.

Ebay as great options. Remember that pet stores are profit mongers and stock silly novelty tanks that are unsuitable for your fish in the long term. If the box says it is for betta fish, steer clear! It will be too small and cause you trouble and money in the future.

This is what you will need to keep either a betta or a goldie -space, heat (none for goldie), filter.

http://cgi.ebay.com/5-GALLON-AQUARIUM-FISH-TANK-FILTER-ACCESSORIES-comp_W0QQitemZ290179499930QQihZ019QQcategoryZ20755QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Marina-1-77-Plastic-Goldfish-tank_W0QQitemZ320179914641QQihZ011QQcategoryZ20755QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/FISH-TANK-5-GALLON_W0QQitemZ150180319021QQihZ005QQcategoryZ20755QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-Marineland-Eclipse-5-Gallon-5G-Hex-Tank-NR_W0QQitemZ110191093781QQihZ001QQcategoryZ20755QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem



Join a good forum (link below) and get help and advice before you buy. Save money and your own time! You'll get addicted. Fish are great.

Answer 5

Get a betta fish. Not goldfish. Are you aware of the goldfish's size when they are fully-grown, about 16-24 inches (depending of what goldfish you have), they are very good poo depositors and they need a lot of money to maintain. Also, 1 Goldfish needs a 10 gallon tank.

Bettas are quite a good starter fish, They are great in 5 gallon tanks but you can still consider "Bettas in a Bowl".

Also you will nedd an air pump altough Bettas can get oxygen from the athmosphere. Its still nice when Bettas are swimming around than putting their heads on the top.

CC

Answer 6

I would say maybe 2 small goldfish or just 1 i dont think you need a pump and no you dont have to change the water every week, when it gets dirty change about 3/4 of the water.

It would be better for the fish if you get a bigger bowl or a fish tank.

Answer 7

HI Swat, bowls are not appropriate housing for any fish, it's a death sentence. They all need spacious, filtered tanks with fitted lids-Goldfish in particular need at least 20 gallons to do well. I would recommend you save up for a large tank as well doing a lot of research on the fish you are interested in, this time spent will pay you back many times when you come to put it into practice. Buying a bowl to keep fish in invariably leads to disaster, the shops just sell them to make a quick buck.

UPDATE#1: I gave the answer immediately above me a thumbs up in error so please disregard the terrible advice there. I intended the thumbs up for Copperhead's excellent suggestion for a fish bowl!!

UPDATE#2: I note the person who gives thumbs downs to answers they don't agree with is once again among us!!!

Answer 8

Either one would not be happy in a bowl. You can get a 2 1/2 gallon tank at wal mart with filter for $10.00 thats best for the health of fish.

Answer 9

A Beta would do o.k. in a bowl,but a tank with a filter and a heater would be much better.A 2 1/2 gallon tank doesn't cost much,and makes a much better home.Goldfish need at least a 10 gallon tank for 1.They should never be kept in a bowl.

Answer 10

My sister has a bowl just like that. You have to have a pump that bubbles air in the bowl or they will run out of oxygen. The only way a fish can live in a tank without air bubbles pumped in is when you have a tank with a huge surface area on top. I would go with the gold fish. Gold fish can live without a heater. Other fish are a lot more work keeping the temp. just right. A gold fish can take cold water. I would get two gold fish.

My sisters fish are in that very bowl with about a gallon of water in it. The fish and my sisters family are very happy. The fish are very old and still around but her kids left for college.