Goldfish Bowl Keeps Going Cludy Why?

[lee8040]

my gf has a small fish tank with 3 hardy goldfish in, it doesnt have a filter or pump and has a small layer of gravel along the bottom. it is not in direct sunlight but the water goes cloudy every 2 days, why ?



thanks

 

[pica_nuttalli]

it's because there is absolutely no "small fish tank" which can handle all the waste produced by 3 goldfish.

assuming that these are fancy goldfish, she needs a minimum 30g tank and a filter if she wants to keep her fish alive and pretty for more than a few months.

 

[lee8040]

its designed for alot more than 3 fish. we went to a reputable fish shop and aked advice and they reommend those fish and that 3 were fine. 3 fish surely could produce that much waste to turn water cloudy after a day and a half

 

[diademhill]

its designed for alot more than 3 fish. we went to a reputable fish shop and aked advice and they reommend those fish and that 3 were fine. 3 fish surely could produce that much waste to turn water cloudy after a day and a half

"three hardy goldfish" suggests they are commons or comets rather than fancies.
These fish need a minimum tank of about 30" and good filtration.

How big is their tank?

I know someone who was sold 20 tropicals for a 20L corner tank - by what she thought was a reputable store

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

its designed for alot more than 3 fish. we went to a reputable fish shop and aked advice and they reommend those fish and that 3 were fine. 3 fish surely could produce that much waste to turn water cloudy after a day and a half

Actually yes you would be suprised at how much waste they produce, along with over feeding, and no filtration im shocked it doesnt get cloudier more often. You really ned to get them a good home, maybe if there Comets a pond in the back yard.


EDIT: Spelling.

 

[wendywc]

You definately need a filter and a good-sized tank for goldfish.

 

[4ftguppy]

my gf has a small fish tank with 3 hardy goldfish in, it doesnt have a filter or pump and has a small layer of gravel along the bottom. it is not in direct sunlight but the water goes cloudy every 2 days, why ?



thanks

Your fish create waste nutrients.

In an ecosystem these would be used by plants/microorganisms/bacteria as food

In the aquarium they are typically removed by bacteria in the filter


In your tank, they are just left there - and free floating bacteria are the only organisms that can feed from them. They do so, and their poulations explode - causing cloudy water. If you had more light, algae might get a foothold too, causing green water.

Get a little goldfish bowl filter, or better still get a bigger tank.

The pet shop staff were right - you can keep three fish in there - but it is akin to keeping three dogs in your car. If fed well they will take quite some time to die, but they will certainly have a bad life, die young and leave a stinking mess.

As it happens goldfish are INCREDIBLY robust, but as you have found out, keeping them in squalor is unpleasant to look at.

I know you were just trying to help your girlfriends fish, and good on you for that!

If shes in charge and refuses a new tank, at very least buy them some java fern. The fish won't eat it, and it might keep the tank a tiny bit cleaner. Feed less food, less often - every other day is fine. You could always take them back to the shop and get some white cloud mountain minnows. Three of them would do well in such a tank!

 

[RandomWiktor]

its designed for alot more than 3 fish. we went to a reputable fish shop and aked advice and they reommend those fish and that 3 were fine. 3 fish surely could produce that much waste to turn water cloudy after a day and a half

Common goldfish should grow to almost two feet in length and live over 20 years when kept properly. Fancy goldfish may exceed a foot and live equally as long. Neither will happen in a bowl; the fish will die either from ammonia poisoning from the poor water quality, or will die later from organ compression as their body is warped from such undersized conditions. They will live only a tiny fraction of their lifespan, and it will be a short, miserable life. If the water is turning cloudy after a day, it is because the massive amount of waste your three goldfish are producing in such an undersized tank; they are a notoriously messy species and need in addition to greater gallonage than most tropicals of equal size an extremely strong filter.
The store that sold you those fish was trying to make money. The people on this board are replying for free because they care about fish. Please, take our word, not theirs.