Keeping a goldfish in a bowl is not warm for them, and since the recommended for a number of amount of oxygen that can be reasons. dissolved in water decreases as the temperature increases, this The first is that the goldfish you also contributes to their distress. In buy in a store is a baby. It will fact, at Tails we recommend grow over eight inches if given common goldfish for ponds only. the appropriate conditions. The Goldfish story that a fish grows to the size Fancy goldfish are far less hardy of its environment is misleading, that the common ones. They vs. Betta: since it really means that the have been bred over many health of the fish is compromised, centuries to have very round Which is the its growth is stunted, and it dies bodies and large flowing fins. This well before its time. It has been makes them very ornamental, but best first fish as documented that some goldfish not very hardy. They have very have lived for decades – always twisted internal organs and are a pet? in a very large tank, or pond. prone to constipation and swim bladder problems. Heating their
By Diane Schickerowsky, B. Sc. The second reason not to put a water a couple of degrees above goldfish in a bowl is that the fish room temperature helps to keep can only breathe air that is things moving through their Fish-keeping is both a fun as well dissolved in the water. A bubbler digestive system and reduces the as educational hobby and fish or filter allows oxygen to be risk of these problems. Only the can be a very low maintenance absorbed into the water, and best water quality in an first pet. They can take up as little allows harmful gases to dissipate. appropriately sized aerated space as a ½ gallon bowl, or be Goldfish are not adapted to living aquarium will allow fancy goldfish as big as you can imagine. in stagnant water and will often to thrive. Typically people want to start with suffocate in a bowl, or something easy, small, and alternatively, they will jump out relatively inexpensive until they looking for a better environment. are comfortable with their growing interest in the hobby. The third reason is that goldfish Here I want to discuss the betta, are very social creatures and live as the first fish of choice for Tails longer and healthier lives if there customers and explain why it is a is more than one. Since each fish much easier first pet than the grows very large, two fish would goldfish. require at least 20 gallons of
water to stay healthy. Popular culture has us all thinking that every child’s first pet should The fourth reason is that keeping a be a goldfish. Ask almost anyone bowl at the proper temperature who has tried to keep a goldfish For these reasons, Tails does not for either a common goldfish or a in a bowl, and they will tell you it sell goldfish to live in a bowl. We fancy goldfish is very difficult. mostly involves scooping out the want our customers (and our fish!) dead fish and trying to replace it to be happy with the first fish they Common goldfish like cold water. before their child realizes it has have as a pet. Turn the page to Room temperature is often too died. learn what we recommend!
Fancy Common Betta COMPARISON CHART Goldfish Goldfish (Siamese fighting fish) Adult size 8” or more 8” or more 2 ½" Lifespan At least 10 years At least 10 years 2 ½ years or more Water volume required 10 gallons or more per fish 10 gallons or more per fish ½ - 5 gallons Aeration required? yes yes no temperature Cool cool Room temperature Number of fish required 2 or more 2 or more Must be alone
Let's compare the goldfish to the eating a rotten piece of food, or Siamese Fighting fish, betta fin rot due to poor water quality splendens. so if you watch out for these two THE BETTA CHECKLIST areas, your betta can live for years! Below is a checklist of all that you need to buy at
Tails in order to make sure Make sure to keep the bowl in an your betta and you enjoy a area where the temperature will long, happy time together! not fluctuate too much, and out of direct sunlight to prevent algae £ High quality Betta food growth. A live plant such as a pellets peace lily, lucky bamboo, or £ Glass bowl of at least other plant that enjoys wet roots 1/2 gallon size and indirect light can help keep £ Betta specific water conditioner the water clean, and as a bonus, £ Aquarium gravel the fish will fertilize it! Wash off the £ Decorative ornament roots of all potting soil and or plant submerge the lower half in the This little fish belongs to a family of £ Small fish net bowl, using gravel or marbles to fish called labyrinth fish. They anchor the roots. This also have adapted to living in very creates a stimulating environment stagnant shallow water in the wild for the fish. by developing a lung-like organ.
This allows them to take gulps of When purchasing a betta, look for air at the surface, thus not one that seems interested in you. depending on the oxygen levels If they spend all of their time on in the water. The fish are only the bottom and do not have about 2 1/2” as full-sized adults vibrant colouration, they are not and actually prefer stagnant or at their healthiest. If the fish builds very slow-moving shallow water. a “bubble nest” which looks like a They have been bred to be frothy or bubbly thing on the violent with each other, and are surface, he is very happy and naturally loners in the wild. For this wanting to breed. This nest will reason, only one can be kept in a dissolve over time and is not a single bowl. cause for concern.
When looking for a suitable vessel We hope this information helps to house your betta, the more you see why Tails recommends surface area the better. Anything bettas to everyone who wants an over ½ gallon is preferred. Glass is easy fish to keep, and why we the best idea since it can be encourage people to only keep cleaned with white vinegar and goldfish if they are prepared to water, with no residue or leaching keep them in the type of chemicals. environment they thrive in.
Happy fish keeping! Another reason Tails recommends a betta as pet is that caring for Visit us at 2211 Queen Street East your betta is relatively simple. in the Beach area of Toronto to Water changes are done with pick up your own betta, bowl and room temperature water every supplies. Feel free to call us at one to four weeks depending on (647) 436-2529 with questions! the water volume of the bowl.
Remember to use a betta- specific water conditioner. They eat about three pellets of betta food a day, but if you forget, or go away for a long weekend, they will be fine. Most of the ailments they get are a result of