How to Keep Goldfish Alive Without an Aquarium

A goldfish can be kept in a fishbowl instead of an aquarium, as long as a filter and air pump are still used. Since the goldfish is in a smaller container, it becomes extremely important to change its water more frequently in order to prevent the buildup of nitrogen wastes and other toxins. The fish should also be more carefully fed, as excess food will deteriorate in the water and make it unfit for the fish.

Things You'll Need

  • Under gravel filter
  • Gravel
  • Small air pump
  • Air tube
  • Container
  • Small fish net
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place an under gravel filter at the bottom of a clean fishbowl. Other varieties of filters generally take up too much space. Connect the uplift tube that comes with it into the filter plate.

    • 2

      Connect a small air pump to the filter plate with air tubing. The air movement causes the waste material to be drawn down into the filtration plate.

    • 3

      Cover the bottom of the bowl with 1 1/2 inches of rinsed gravel.

    • 4

      Fill the bowl with water that has set in a container for half an hour. Allowing the water to set will make it room temperature and give the chlorine in it an opportunity to dissipate.

    • 5

      Place the goldfish in the bowl with the use of a small fish net. Gently set the net in the water and allow the fish to swim out of it on its own.

    • 6

      Feed the fish what it can eat in one and a half minutes. Excess food will pollute the water. Only feed the goldfish six times a week. Not feeding the fish for a day allows it to clear its intestinal tract.

    • 7

      Change half of the water in the bowl every week. Allow the water to sit at least a half an hour before adding it to the fishbowl.