The Goldfish Bowl

I was on a website today that posts news stories related to a variety of environmental issues, and there was an image accompanying a website poll of a goldfish jumping from a small goldfish bowl into what looked to be a larger, more beautiful goldfish bowl. Of course, if you look closer at the larger bowl, you will see it is actually a tropical reef scene (i.e., salt water – which would kill a fresh water fish such as a goldfish). I know that no animals were harmed in the Photoshopping of this image, but yikes, does this environmental news source hate goldfish?

I love fish, and have had my own tanks for at least the past 25 years. I have had a variety of fresh and saltwater fish over the years, and of all the fish I have owned, goldfish are among my favorite. I currently have 4 ornamental goldfish in a 55 gallon aquarium. It pains me to see goldfish bowls for sale at pet stores. It pains me to hear about people who keep these lovely fish in bowls.

A goldfish should NEVER be kept in a goldfish bowl - they require at least 2 gallons of water per inch of fish at their size when full grown. So, if you buy a 1 inch goldfish that will grow to reach 10 inches in length, put that 1 inch goldfish in a tank that is at least 20 gallons. Most goldfish bowls are about a gallon, maybe 2 or 3 for a really large bowl. This is not a sufficient enough size for any goldfish.

People have told me, “yes, but they will grow to the size of their tank,” when trying to make a case for a bowl. Sure, if you keep them in a bowl, they will stay small. In other words, you are stunting their growth and limiting their lifespan. Under proper conditions, a goldfish can live up to 35 or 40 years old. If confining an animal to an environment that is too small for it to survive was an acceptable practice, veal calves would be a more popular pet.

If you want to ethically stunt some growth, then get a bonsai tree. If you want a bowl with a fish in it, get a Siamese fighting fish (who can survive in a puddle of water in their native environs), and leave the goldfish to someone who can properly care for it. Thanks.