How often do you change a typical size bowl of goldfish?

The girls got fish for x-mas, and one already died. He was missing a few scales and his tail looked a bit chewed.

I figure the place wasn't big enough for the 2 of them, and they had a showdown.

Funny....I can raise twins by my self, but i can't keep two fish alive....

Originally posted by creetwins
How often do you change a typical size bowl of goldfish?



When its so dirty that I can no longer see them

or

When its so dirty that I can sprinkle grass seeds on top of the water, and they start to grow

or

When they start posting signs on the bottom of the tank threatening to call the health dept

or

When the cat walks up to the bowl, takes one good look, and keeps on walking :@@:

or

when they all start looking like this :alien:

Gold Fish are relatively easy to keep.
Sound like you had two males and they fought.
Used to have them, changed the water when stuff started to grow and turn green. :)

when they all start looking like this

ROFL...

Dan i think you are right. About them fighting.

I have since cleaned the water, and he is Much friskier, and his colour is looking a little better too, LOL

You are better off with an actual tank, not a goldfish bowl. A tank with pump is far more effecient at putting air into the water which is what fish need to live.

I can further point out that any new tank will take time to settle in. Bacteria helps break down fish waste that can get lethal very quickly in a new tank. Which is probably why one of your goldfish die.

Fish produce ammonia, lots of it, especially goldfish, which really are glorified carp you find in just about any river. Ammonia is very, very toxic to fish. There are certain bacteria that breaks the ammonia down to a nitrite. Which isn't as toxic as ammonia, but nothing to take lightly either. Then, other bacteria break the nitrite down to a nitrate, which fish can live with.

A new tank normally gets cloudy and dirty looking as the bacteria multiply and try to sort out the sudden increases in ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. After a while, everything will settle down.

If you are serious about keeping fish, instead of having goldfish die every few days, I suggest an aquarium, with aerator, heating unit, light, the whole enchilada. Believe it or not larger tanks are easier to keep than smaller tanks, as larger tanks have more water and it takes longer for ammonia to reach lethal levels and it gives more time for the nitrifying bacteria to multiply. For small tanks to work (5 gallons or less) takes someone who really knows what they are doing.

If you get serious about keeping fish, get a 29 gallon tank kit, set the whole thing up, wait a few days for everything to settle, THEN buy fish. One or two at a time, give it a week for the bacteria to stablize the tank, then add a couple more and so on. Also, explore the pet shop and read a couple books on fishkeeping, there are more interesting fish than goldfish, and more interesting setups than that awful flourescent gravel, plastic plants, and silly aquascaping accessories that fill fish stores. Dammit.

whooo!

One day I may take your advice, and look into that.....

Honestly, I didn't even know they were coming....my auntie and her girls, brought them as a gift...., we were quite surprised.

One day I'd actually like a fancy tank with pretty corals and things in it, but I am by no means a chemist....so, for now the bowl will suffice! LOL