Betta fish need air

Many people think that goldfish and other kinds of fish will not stay alive long in a fishbowl. It is true that most aquariums have an air pump and filter. When the air pump blows air into the aquarium, it circulates the water, preventing it from becoming stagnant. Stagnant water is bad for goldfish simply because it doesn't have enough oxygen. A pump circulates water so it can take oxygen from the air and replace the carbon dioxide and other harmful gasses.

However, if you cannot provide an air pump for your fishbowl, your goldfish can live very well. Also, if you do have an air pump and you worry about extended power outages, you can still make sure your fish survive in the aquarium. There is a plain and simple solution, which I will share with you through my own story.

Your goldfish can live very well without an air pump, but you must keep the bowl or tank clean and include pebbles.

My Goldfish Story

I currently live and work in the Middle East. A friend gave me a goldfish in a bowl. At first I was hesitant to accept the fish, because I thought that it would just die after several hours. Since I was a child I have had many goldfish and I always got upset when they died. But I didn't want to turn my friend down, so I accepted the goldfish. He told me to change the water every two days and use stored, not tap, water.

That was five months ago and my goldfish is doing great without an air pump. Here's how I have kept my fish happy.

Every fish should have a liter of water, so if you have more fish, make sure your bowl or tank is big enough.

How Underwater Plants Can Help

Plants provide oxygen to all living things. Adding an aquarium plant to your goldfish's home will provide oxygen that they need. Freshwater aquarium plants also give the bowl a beautiful, natural look and they absorb gases that could be harmful to your fish.

If You Can't Clean the Bowl Regularly

if you aren't able to keep up with the water changes and cleaning yourself, a small pump and filter will keep the bowl clean for longer. They will fit in a small bowl and you won't need to replace the water as often.