How to Transfer Goldfish From Fish Bowl to Fish Tank

Millions of goldfish are sold as pets each year in the United States; unfortunately they are often mishandled. Goldfish produce a lot of waste for their size compared to other fish, and because they grow to be quite large (some reach more than a foot in length), the small bowls they are often seen in simply don't make suitable homes. Deciding to relocate your goldfish to a tank of at least 20 gallons will make both you and the fish happier.

Things You'll Need

  • 5 feet of aquarium air line tubing
  • 5-gallon bucket
  • Fish net
  • Tank clip
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Set up your goldfish's new tank with gravel, dechlorinated water (aquarium water conditioners work well for treating tap water) and decorations for your fish to hide in. Make sure a filter with a gallon-per-hour rating of at least 200 is part of your setup.

    • 2

      Place the goldfish bowl at the bottom of an empty 5-gallon bucket. If the bowl will not fit, carefully pour the goldfish out of the goldfish bowl and into a smaller bowl.

    • 3

      Place one end of the aquarium air line tubing into the water of the new fish tank, and hold it in place with a tank clip attached to the tank's rim. Make sure the tube is submerged at least 6 to 12 inches beneath the surface.

    • 4

      Tie a loose knot in the end of the air line tubing that is outside of the tank. The knot should be about a foot from the end of the tubing.

    • 5

      Start a siphon by sucking on the knotted end of the air line tubing until water flows over the edge of the aquarium. Be careful not to suck up a mouthful of aquarium water.

    • 6

      Quickly tighten the knot so only a slow drip comes out of the end of the tubing at a rate of one drop every two to three seconds. Place the drip line so the water falls into the goldfish bowl at the bottom of the bucket.

    • 7

      Allow the drip to run slowly over the next hour. It is OK if some water runs out of the goldfish bowl and into the bucket. The steady mixing of the tank and bowl water will help the fish acclimate to the new tank's water parameters, preventing the fish from becoming stressed or going into shock.

    • 8

      Net the fish out of the goldfish bowl after an hour and carefully place it in the new tank. Discard the leftover water in the bowl and bucket.