Goldfish Bowls
A goldfish makes a perfect first pet for any child. Besides the fact that they are beautiful and relaxing to watch, a goldfish requires constant care. This is a great way to teach a child responsibility.
Most people make the mistake of purchasing a small bowl to place on a side table or their child’s dresser. However, this is definitely not recommended. Goldfish are very active and require ample room to maneuver through the water. Residing in a small bowl can cause unnecessary stress for your fish. There isn’t adequate oxygen for the fish to breathe and survive for an extended period of time. Goldfish have the capability of growing a normal size of 6-12 inches. A tiny bowl stunts their growth and doesn’t allow them to reach their potential size.
Goldfish can require anywhere from 10 to 30 gallons of water to live comfortably. It is suggested that you purchase a tank large enough to allow them to move about freely and safely. Filtration and aeration systems can be attached to larger tanks to ensure that the fish receive the maximum required amount of oxygen. If you do make the decision to purchase goldfish, you would be advised to add at least two fish to your tank. Goldfish tend to thrive more efficiently in groups rather than when they are solitary. In any case, the bigger the tank, the more your fish will prosper.
Do not place the tank in direct sunlight, as this will promote algae growth which can be harmful to your fish in excess. Fluorescent lights are the best as they do not radiate such intense heat and they encourage plants to grow better. Fish do not sleep with their eyes closed, so if you do have a constant light trained on the tank, alternate having it turned off and on. This will give your fish a chance to rest its eyes and cause less stress. Also remember to always put a lid on the tank to prevent your fish from leaping out of the water and dying.
When it comes to cleaning out your fishbowl, there are a very few simple, but important steps to remember.
• Remove your fish and place it in a container with some of the water from the tank.
• Dump the old water and thoroughly rinse the gravel several times to remove wastes and other sediment.
• Carefully scrub all decorations with a toothbrush to remove algae or any other harmful particles that may have accumulated over time.
• Refill the tank and add water conditioner.
• Before adding your fish back into the tank, ensure that the water temperature is similar to the previous water. It is best to return your fish to the tank with a net rather than add the old tank water back in with him.
• If your tank doesn’t have an air filtration system, you should clean your tank at least once a week. Having a filtration system requires a tank cleaning every two weeks.