Q&A for How to Keep a Goldfish Alive

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How can I keep a goldfish alive in a bowl?

Craig Morton
Aquarium Specialist, Aquarium Doctor Inc.
Craig Morton is the CEO of Aquarium Doctor Inc. based in Huntington Beach California and servicing Orange County, Los Angeles County, and the Inland Empire. With over 30 years of aquarium experience, Craig specializes in creating custom aquarium designs along with aquarium installation, service, and maintenance.

Craig Morton

Aquarium Specialist, Aquarium Doctor Inc.

Expert Answer

The most important thing is to use reverse osmosis filtered water in the bowl.

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Question

I have 1 goldfish, 2 angel fish, and 2 red tail shark, but one goldfish and one angel fish died. What could be the reason?

Caeiia

Top Answerer

They don't go together. Goldfish are cold water and angelfish and the shark are tropical. The shark can be aggressive.

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Question

Why might the fish not eat the food?

Community Answer

There are lots of reasons a fish might not be eating. The most likely is simply that they are not hungry, so be sure you're not overfeeding. Further, look for any other signs of illness. If nothing is up, switch the type of fish food you're using. For instance, switch to pellets if you're only using flakes, or vice versa.

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Question

I got a goldfish at a carnival; do the same rules apply?

Community Answer

Yes. Take care of it the same way that you take care of any other fish.

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What is the correct way to set up a small tank for a goldfish?

Community Answer

For more specific information on an appropriate setup for a gold fish tank see the wikiHow article on How to Set up a Fish Tank (for Goldfish).

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Question

Is this a good pet for a classroom to have?

Community Answer

It can be, but be aware that they produce lots of waste which will mean frequent tank cleaning. Think about getting a betta, as they only need two gallons of water and come in many different colors.

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Question

Can three fantails live in a bowl?

Community Answer

No. The minimum size for a fancy goldfish is 10 gallons.

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Question

I have two goldfish, how can I keep them happy?

Community Answer

Keep them in a 40-gallon tank, provide a strong filter, and do 25% water changes weekly. The 14 cent fish you find at PetSmart are not suitable pets, and they are meant to be eaten by other fish. Goldfish are very hard to keep and become the size of a cat. If you understand those risks, they prefer a current, and would benefit from a few decorations.

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Question

The pH level keeps dropping. I bring it up with supplies from the pet shop, but is drops back every day. What can I do?

Community Answer

Add a little bit of baking soda to the water. It is a natural way to raise pH levels, and it has been shown to be quite effective.

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Can one 4 inch-sized Ryukin live in a 5 gallon tank?

Community Answer

Definitely not! Even if your goldfish is small now, it will grow. They can get up to 10 inches long. Please get at least a 55-gallon tank for it. Even if your goldfish wouldn't grow more, 5 gallons is only suitable for one male betta fish.

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Question

I got a fish from a fair yesterday, but I don't have fish food or any other supplies, or even the time to take care of it really. What should I do?

Gini Pug

Community Answer

You can give the fish away to a friend or family member who will take good care of him/her, or you could put an ad on Craigslist or another community site asking if anyone would like to adopt the fish.

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Question

I have three gold fishes in a 20 gallon tank. Is that healthy for them.

Emmylou Pruitt

Community Answer

The general rule is 20 gallons for the first goldfish and 10 gallons for each additional goldfish. To keep those 3 alive, you will want to have heavy filtration and do frequent large water changes. Upgrade you tank or give away 1 or 2 of them if you cannot keep up with those large water changes.

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Question

I have 3 Persian goldfish. Do the same rules apply or do I need a bigger/smaller tank?

Emmylou Pruitt

Community Answer

You need 20 gallons for the first fish and 10 gallons for each additional. For the best chance of your fish living, a 40 gallon or bigger with filtration will be necessary.

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Question

How big does a tank have to be for three different species of goldfish?

Em Davis

Community Answer

In general, the rule is 20 gallons for the first goldfish and an extra ten for each additional. Some different breeds have slightly different requirements that can easily be found with some additional research.

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