Goldfish CANNOT live in bowls.
They are meant to grow 1ft to 1.5ft long, and live AT LEAST 20 years. Look at this contrast photo between a baby goldfish and an adult
Now, goldfish need, preferably, a MINIMUM of a 29 gallon tank, with 40+ being ideal, especially for multiple. These guys could also out shit an elephant, so you need to be very vigilant about water changes and have a good filtration system (water changes should NEVER be more than 30% of the water, unless dire circumstances. Even THEN, you NEVER want to drain 100% of the water)
"But don't they grow to the size of their tank?"
Their OUTSIDE growth is stunted to an extreme degree, but their INSIDES keep growing until THEIR ORGANS RUPTURE. IT IS A VERY SLOW AND PAINFUL DEATH FOR THESE GUYS.
The myth that they can be kept in bowls can be traced back to ancient China. An emperor wanted to show off his very opulent goldfish to his party guests, but he couldn't exactly bring them all out to his pond and just point out the fish to everyone. So, they were scooped up into bowls and displayed that way before they were dumped back in their pond.
NEVER put a goldfish in a bowl. They very literally cannot survive.
"But what CAN live in a bowl?"
Plants. That's it. Maybe a couple tiny snails that hitched a ride on the plants. Not even betta fish. Sure, they can SURVIVE, but the quality of life will be abysmal and they will STILL die far before they would have otherwise had they been given proper care.
2.5 gallons is the MINIMUM suggested size for the average betta, with 5+ gallons being ideal. For example, here's my setup. It's 3 gallons.
All the plants are live, and don't be intimidated by them. Most don't actually require any extra care! They also help keep the water parameters a bit more stable since they feed on nitrates.
Oh, yeah, remember that nitrogen cycle thing you learned about in high school that you never thought you'd use for literally anything? THE ENTIRE AQUARIUM HOBBY RUNS ON IT. Even a rudimentary understanding is good enough, you don't have to know the nitty gritty.
Please please PLEASE do your research before purchasing ANY living thing.
If anyone has specific questions, feel free to dm me!!!
I work at a pet store, and I thoroughly enjoy teaching anyone that's willing to learn!!!
EDIT: PLEASE reblog this, I want as many people to see this as possible
romaincrisis
blakekathryn
izzy806
titsay
vaporwave
prguitarman
theartofmadeline
tangentwithtanner
andulkaphoto
ellievsbear
