I am thinking about getting a goldfish for my room. I always see goldfish bowls without any kind of filter, but I know that every fish tank I see has a filter. Do goldfish not need filters? Why not? Would a goldfish live longer if there is a filter in his tank or bowl? Thx, Rach
Do goldfish need a filter?
1 - 20 of 28 Posts
You can put goldfish in a bowl without a filter, but where most people go wrong is that they overfeed their fish and don't change it's water. If I put a goldfish in a bowl, I would change 50% of it's water at least once a week and make sure it eats ALL of its food.
Exactly. Feeding is very important. If feeding it flakes, only feed about what it can eat in 1 1/2 minutes. You will eventually figure out exactly how much it can handle. Just make sure food doesn't sit on the bottom. The water changes take care of the fecal sitting on the bottom. Food creates ammonia and softer water, and fecal creates ammonia. Feed it 6 days a week. The one day of no feeding helps clear it's digestive system and prevents constipation which is very common in goldfish.
Joined
·
18 Posts
you could always get a snail
I have a 10 gallon w/ goldfish in it. I have always ran filters it keeps it clean and a lot safer for the fish. I also think it helps with the lifespan of the fishes too.
For a bottom feeder ( is what you were asking right? ) Pleco's are great bottom feeders. But im assuming you will be having a small tank correct? If its small, like a 5 gallon or so, snails always work, like already said. I wouldnt reccomend a bowl for a goldfish though, because you wouldnt be able to really put a filter in a bowl. In this hobby always get the biggest tank you can afford. It helps in the long run
Nick
For a bottom feeder ( is what you were asking right? ) Pleco's are great bottom feeders. But im assuming you will be having a small tank correct? If its small, like a 5 gallon or so, snails always work, like already said. I wouldnt reccomend a bowl for a goldfish though, because you wouldnt be able to really put a filter in a bowl. In this hobby always get the biggest tank you can afford. It helps in the long run
Nick
Joined
·
13,247 Posts
I wouldn't get snails lest you know what will happened. Goldfish eating a lot also gives the snails a chance to explode their population.
This situation worsens as snails are rather hard to remove.
If I were you, stick with Malayan Trumpet Snails.
Avoid the ramshorn and common pond snails. Apple snails are also a good choice.
Malayan Trumpet Snails can eat detritus and dig in the substrate so this also prevents anaerobic spots if you are using sand.
For a fishbowl, only bettas are the good choice.
My advice on feeding is feed sparingly and vacuum the leftovers. Make sure they consume the food in 5 minutes. Vary the food menu as the fish gets different nutrients at that. Don't feed them on only one food. It's very useless as they never get to receive different nutrients.
What's more is that aritifical foods tend to have less vitamins in it. You might try the mosquito larva, daphnia, bloodworms and krills.
I'd go with frozen rather than live ones to reduce the chances of introducing pathogens.
Joined
·
891 Posts
I have never come across anything that actually eats poop, correct me if I'm wrong.
Joined
·
1,591 Posts
In freshwater I would have to agree with you, till I see it, But saltwater there is sort of.
I find with gold fish an under gravel filter is adequate. Use one of those syphon gravel cleaners during water changes to collect the muck.
My four gold fish will clog up any other filters within a week.
Also, use a good food. Nasty pond sticks and flake food can cloud the water in a day. I like using frozen shrimp, blood worm, daphnia, etc.
My four gold fish will clog up any other filters within a week.
Also, use a good food. Nasty pond sticks and flake food can cloud the water in a day. I like using frozen shrimp, blood worm, daphnia, etc.
1 - 20 of 28 Posts
