What to do about my brother's fish?? They are in trouble!?

Question

My brother bought a regular size fish bowl yesterday, and put 3 fish in it. That was really stupid, i know. Don't lecture, just help. There are 2 goldfish, and 1calico fantail. We have a ten gallon tank with a tetra and 2 other little fish that i forgot what are called (doh!), so this could be hard without their species. I think it starts with a p? well anyway, could we possibly put the fantail in there? We need to figure out what to do. Then we probably have to buy another tank for the two goldfish, because i guess they need 10gal. of water each. Or could we just wing it and get another bowl and let each of the goldfish have their own bowls? I know they need their 10gal. each, but i have had many goldfish in bowls and they didn't die. Well, please be nice. I really don't appreciate people acting smart when I ask questions, I understand completely what a dumb situation we've gotten into. Just tell me what we should do. thanks!

-MH

Answer 1

What if you put the fish in a clear plastic bag full of water in the larger tank and see how the fish react to each other for about a hour or so. If you don't see them glaring each other through the bag, they should be okay without it.

Answer 2

Go grab you a ten gallon if there is any doubt. it's really cheap and you can find them for less then 15 bucks. don't forget to cycle your water before you add him into the new tank.  

Answer 3

Get a 55 gallon tank for the 3 goldies. You can't keep them with smaller tropical fish like tetras.

You mention you "had" goldfish in bowls and they didn't die. If they didn't die, they'd still be alive ;-) Goldfish kept in proper conditions get to be about a foot long and live well over ten years. Show me a 15-year-old goldfish in a bowl and I'll reverse my opinion...and give you a thousand dollars!

The goldies may be small now, but when they're fully grown, a 55 gallon tank (or even larger) is really a necessity. It's less expensive to get the big tank now than it is to upgrade several times along the way.

If you don't want to get a 55 gallon tank, bring the goldies back to the store. It's really not fair to them to keep them in anything smaller, and it won't end well and won't be a satisfying fishkeeping experience!

Answer 4

Sure they would be fine!! I had a feeder goldfish and a popeyed goldfish in a bowl for a long time!! Go for it!! Once they get a little bigger though, I would but them in a tank.

Answer 5

just take them back to the shop

also get more tetras they need to school in groups of 6+