Biorbs

[B13]

Hi all,

A chum of mine has her two handsome goldfish ('Dave' and 'Brian') in a bog-standard goldfish bowl. She's thinking of upgrading to a Biorb. Has anyone here got any experience/thoughts on these?

Is it worth the cost and does it make things easier maintenance-wise?

 

[Davo86]

Hi B13
Biorbs are a million times better than a standard bowl, BUT in terms of health and space for a goldfish to grow into they are rubbish.
A standard rectangular tank (long not tall) is your best option,

Try to convince them to get a tank that is at least 100 litres in capacity, Goldfish are big messy fish and if they are to live for anywhere near the length of time that they are capable of, then they will require a suitably sized aquarium

what type of goldfish are they?

 

[shelaghfishface]

Hi B13
Biorbs are a million times better than a standard bowl, BUT in terms of health and space for a goldfish to grow into they are rubbish.
A standard rectangular tank (long not tall) is your best option,

Try to convince them to get a tank that is at least 100 litres in capacity, Goldfish are big messy fish and if they are to live for anywhere near the length of time that they are capable of, then they will require a suitably sized aquarium

what type of goldfish are they?

i agree about them being better, albeit slightly, i own 3 biorbs and goldfish ( of anysort) would honestly be the last fish i would consider putting in one of them
why not try to convince her to go for the rectangle tank, im sure you could win her round

 

[4ft Rod]

Indeed the biorb would be better but for the same money you could get a complete 100 litre tank set up!

 

[B13]

what type of goldfish are they?

The reply I got was "Orange and handsome!" (That doesn't help ...)

I'm clueless about goldfish, but here's a pic of Brian:

Dave is the same shape, but has far more orange. (Are they Comets?)

P.S. We have no idea if Dave and Brian are male or female. They may very well be Davina and Briony... How do you sex a goldfish?? And if they are Comets, how big do they grow?

why not try to convince her to go for the rectangle tank, im sure you could win her round

I'm trying! I'm trying!!

 

[Pleccy]

The fish in the photo are comets, which can grow to 30cm/12" and to be honest even a 100 litre tank would be too small once they are fully grown. The best home for comets (and other common goldfish) is a pond or a very large tank (around 180cm).

 

[Davo86]

The fish in the photo are comets,

wrong the picture shows a red and white oranda, which will usually grow to around 8 inches, (not including the tail)

 

[Pleccy]

The fish isn't an Oranda, for a start the fish is the wrong shape and it does not have the growths on the head.

 

[B13]

Speaking of size:

Is there any truth in the old saying that a fish only grows to fit the size of it's bowl? In other words, if my chum keeps her fish in a bowl, will they stay the size they are (about three inches)?

 

[Pleccy]

In theory yes, but the fish will be severely stunted in such a small space and it won't have a very good life. The best home for common goldfish are ponds.

 

[B13]

Hang on, here's another pic:

 

[Pleccy]

The bowl is very small and the fish already look too big. I think the fish should be transferred to a larger set-up or as I mentioned earlier a pond.

 

[B13]

I'm workin' on it!!

 

[shelaghfishface]

you can do it

get your friend to have a look at ebay or local freeads,gumtree etc, always bargains to be had
good luck
shelagh xxx

 

[Jazzzz]

2 fully grown goldfish will need 55gallons or 260L with external filtration.

biorbs are awful for them

rectangular tanks are the best