Do Round Bowls Make Goldfish Go Blind?
Status: Undetermined
CNN reports that the city of Rome has passed a set of laws to prevent cruelty to animals. For instance, dog owners will be forced to walk their dogs regularly. And round goldfish bowls have been banned because round bowls supposedly cause the fish to go blind. Specifically, the article says:The newspaper [Il Messaggero] reported that round bowls caused fish to go blind. No one at Rome council was available to confirm this was why they were banned. Many fish experts say round bowls provide insufficient oxygen for fish.
I have never before heard this claim about the dangerous effects of round bowls. I tried to google "round bowls goldfish blind" to see if anyone has written about this, but no luck. However, depending on the size of the opening in the bowl, it does seem logical that the fish may not get enough oxygen. And if they don't get enough oxygen, maybe they'll go blind (shortly before they die).
Incidentally, I'm totally in favor of laws forcing people to walk their dogs. I hate it when people (such as my neighbor) keep their dog chained up in their yard all day, every day.
Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.
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Regarding your neighbor's dog; Please talk to your neighbors about the dog and let them know that it is considered a cruelty to chain the dog all they long. If they don't do something about it, then you should report them.
Posted by Mora on Wed Nov 09, 2005 at 12:00 PM
You guys all sound really confident and that's reassuring but I know this guy who works in an aquarium- he says that round goldfish bowls are fine for smaller fish (catfish, daniels, tetras etc.) but they drive goldfish insane with pain because the distortion of the bowl gives them migranes and eventuallly leads them to a very painful death in a few weeks or so which sure makes sense as to why MY fish keep dying...
Posted by bazza in Australia on Sun Nov 20, 2005 at 10:26 PM
I don't know about causing blindness, but goldfish, who can live 10-30 years if given the chance, live extremely short lives inside goldfish bowls. The water, which is usually room temperature, contains less oxygen than cold water (which is ideal for goldfish). Fish waste accumulates at an astonishing rate, with nowhere to go. Owners would have to empty out the bowl and fill it with fresh declorinated water at least once a week, if not more.
Goldfish will grow between 10-14 inches (2 feet or longer for Koi), require approx. 2 gallons per inch of body. A round goldfish bowl isn't appropriate for any type of fish, not even bettas because bettas are excellent jumpers.
The average goldfish would need a 20 gallon tank, just for himself, with excellent filtration.
They're not dying of blindness, they're dying of choking on their own feces. Something that should be banned by law since its incredibly cruel.
Posted by Laura on Wed Jan 18, 2006 at 01:57 PM
Goldfish will grow between 10-14 inches (2 feet or longer for Koi), require approx. 2 gallons per inch of body. A round goldfish bowl isn't appropriate for any type of fish, not even bettas because bettas are excellent jumpers.
The average goldfish would need a 20 gallon tank, just for himself, with excellent filtration.
They're not dying of blindness, they're dying of choking on their own feces. Something that should be banned by law since its incredibly cruel.
Goldfish are members of a genus in which the fish have a special "labrinthine" organ that allows them to draw oxygen differently than other fish. Which is why they (as well as Bettas) can reside in a bowl with no aeration. So, they will not go blind from lack of oxygen. Can fish even go blind?
Posted by sarah1348 in Portland on Thu Jan 19, 2006 at 01:12 PM
No, goldfish are NOT labyrinth fishes and they most certainly do NOT have a special air-breathing apparatus. They breathe water through their gills, the same as most fishes. Any aquarium book will tell you as much. Goldfish are cyprinids, which is to say that they belong to the carp or minnow family, which is the most widespread family of bony freshwater fishes in the world. They are closely related to common carp.
Goldfish have higher oxygen requirements than most other aquarium fishes because they are adapted to cold water (which has a higher oxygen concentration than warm water) and because they are relatively heavy-bodied, so their body mass is greater than that of other fishes the same length, and because they are messy fish that tend to foul their own water pretty fast.
And finally, yes, of course fish can go blind (except for the few eyeless species, which are, of course, already blind), but that's an entirely different problem from dying of overcrowding and polluted water.
Posted by Big Gary, aquarist in Dallas, Texas, USA on Wed Feb 01, 2006 at 04:13 PM
Goldfish have higher oxygen requirements than most other aquarium fishes because they are adapted to cold water (which has a higher oxygen concentration than warm water) and because they are relatively heavy-bodied, so their body mass is greater than that of other fishes the same length, and because they are messy fish that tend to foul their own water pretty fast.
And finally, yes, of course fish can go blind (except for the few eyeless species, which are, of course, already blind), but that's an entirely different problem from dying of overcrowding and polluted water.
P.S.: Bazza: "This guy who works in an aquarium" is clearly a moron. Don't buy any more fish from him. Come to think of it, read a few books on fish care before you get any more fish.
Posted by Big Gary, aquarist in Dallas, Texas, USA on Wed Feb 01, 2006 at 04:15 PM
I have a fan tail goldfish named "bubbles" that has been going for a good 8 years now. I didnt know they could live decades though! For not knowing what sex it is I just call it a "he" for purpose of identifying with him.
I had him in 10 gallons at my old place, but had to leave him behind with my parents when I moved. Now I have a set up at work for him, when I went to rescue him... a rescue it was indeed! Parents had let the water in the tank evaporate down to a few inches (hard crusty lime all over the place.. )
Anyway to get to the point.. I think he can see quite well.. Bubbles has learned to "Beg" for his meals, by "dancing" around at the front of the tank whenever I present myself (of course he may be feeling the vibrations of movement.. but it sure looks like he can see me). I have come to the conclusion from owning him that goldfish arent as dumb as they are thought to be.
Posted by Emi in Annapolis, MD on Sun Feb 05, 2006 at 10:52 PM
I had him in 10 gallons at my old place, but had to leave him behind with my parents when I moved. Now I have a set up at work for him, when I went to rescue him... a rescue it was indeed! Parents had let the water in the tank evaporate down to a few inches (hard crusty lime all over the place.. )
Anyway to get to the point.. I think he can see quite well.. Bubbles has learned to "Beg" for his meals, by "dancing" around at the front of the tank whenever I present myself (of course he may be feeling the vibrations of movement.. but it sure looks like he can see me). I have come to the conclusion from owning him that goldfish arent as dumb as they are thought to be.
What amounts to a space suit for fish has now been invented. Enabling fish to wander around on terra firma. You could be required to take your FISH for a walk someday in the distant future...
http://interactive.usc.edu/members/naimark/archives/005507.html
By the way, Goldfish grow in proportion to the size of the tank they are raised in. They stay small if left in a small tank. If given some aquatic plant material, the oxygen level and water pollution can be regulated some. Theoritically, if there is the right temperature, plant material and light level and air bubble and tank size, they could live in a airtight container.
Posted by Gary in Modesto, California, USA on Fri Jul 14, 2006 at 12:30 PM
http://interactive.usc.edu/members/naimark/archives/005507.html
By the way, Goldfish grow in proportion to the size of the tank they are raised in. They stay small if left in a small tank. If given some aquatic plant material, the oxygen level and water pollution can be regulated some. Theoritically, if there is the right temperature, plant material and light level and air bubble and tank size, they could live in a airtight container.
Yeah, he grows to the size of his bowl because it stunts his growth and shortens his lifespan. We are talking about VERTEBRATES here, not bosai trees. A fish that could live decades is reduced to living for weeks, if that.
Posted by Laura in Phoenix, AZ on Sat Jul 15, 2006 at 11:17 PM
Hi!
I love cold water fish,I am very new to this but I have done my outmost best to take care of them,some of my"babies" have died,and it really saddens me as I have changed water on a regular basis,besides the fact that I have been told that they are the most reasonable pets to keep,I have found myself spending quite a lot more than I expected to take care of the fish,I do not mind the spending as long as they are alive and I have friends to talk to at home..I just love them,but since the few that I had just died on me,after everything I did to keep them safe,I am left with one,but I have just realised that one of his/her eyes is completely shut..what can I do? I am scared my fish will die,I want to go get more but I really am affected by the dying...the fish still plays around but I really wonder,what if the one eye is blind....? I wanted to go get him some friends but am afraid he could infect them and they will die...I use special medication(Aquarium pills) to keep the water safe but it does not seem to be doing much..Any advice for me?
Posted by Busisiwe in South Africa on Wed Aug 16, 2006 at 08:57 AM
I love cold water fish,I am very new to this but I have done my outmost best to take care of them,some of my"babies" have died,and it really saddens me as I have changed water on a regular basis,besides the fact that I have been told that they are the most reasonable pets to keep,I have found myself spending quite a lot more than I expected to take care of the fish,I do not mind the spending as long as they are alive and I have friends to talk to at home..I just love them,but since the few that I had just died on me,after everything I did to keep them safe,I am left with one,but I have just realised that one of his/her eyes is completely shut..what can I do? I am scared my fish will die,I want to go get more but I really am affected by the dying...the fish still plays around but I really wonder,what if the one eye is blind....? I wanted to go get him some friends but am afraid he could infect them and they will die...I use special medication(Aquarium pills) to keep the water safe but it does not seem to be doing much..Any advice for me?
I'm sorry about your losses Busisiwe. What kind of fish is he? I'm assuming he's a goldfish, since you posted your question on this thread. I don't think a fish's eye can "shut" exactly, since they don't have eyelids. Perhaps something is growing on it? Maybe he lost his eye somehow? As long as he's still active and eating, that's a good sign.
If you want, we can correspond by email so as not to clog up the board. My email is .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Here's a website you can go to, in the meantime. Good luck, I hope your baby gets better.
http://www.petlibrary.com/goldfish/goldfish.html
This may be of some use as well http://www.koivet.com/
Posted by Laura in Phoenix, AZ on Wed Aug 16, 2006 at 11:21 PM
If you want, we can correspond by email so as not to clog up the board. My email is .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Here's a website you can go to, in the meantime. Good luck, I hope your baby gets better.
http://www.petlibrary.com/goldfish/goldfish.html
This may be of some use as well http://www.koivet.com/
I can't believe all the ignorance I'm seeing here...it's only a fish....not all dogs need walks....pathetic.
Look, it's simple. It doesn't matter what kind of creature it is. The only question to be asked is, does it have the capability to suffer? Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out.
Posted by Appalled on Sat Dec 09, 2006 at 10:57 AM
Look, it's simple. It doesn't matter what kind of creature it is. The only question to be asked is, does it have the capability to suffer? Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out.
Amen to that! Since when did we need scientists to tell us what can feel and what can't? Just spend some time with any animal without your preconsived notions and you'll see things you never saw before. That is if you can take your blinders off.
Posted by Laura in Phoenix, AZ on Sun Dec 10, 2006 at 12:13 PM
A science fair question, 14 fish in one 2 and one half gallon tannk, 4 in another, will the four fish grow faster than the others? (small comet goldfish 4cm-8cm)
Posted by abby in nj on Tue Feb 27, 2007 at 02:01 PM
please answer as soon as posible
Posted by abby in nj on Tue Feb 27, 2007 at 02:33 PM
If fish bowls should be banned, then so should ALL aquariums, regardless of size! BTW some breeds of fish are suited for bowls, such as white cloud minnows, ghost shrimp, mystery snails, dwarf african frogs and bettas.
Posted by Sam in Tx on Tue Jan 27, 2009 at 04:14 PM
Well I was just wondering - I know that fish can suffer, but dont they have a memory span of about 5 seconds?
Posted by Camilla in Toronto on Tue Jul 21, 2009 at 10:16 AM
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