One dead goldfish and the nature of suffering

I have to check the name of them. They were the fancier fatter ones with the bigger fins. Some were plain orange and some white and orange.

I think that tank is around 10 gallons with the pump and filter and stuff it came with.

I will find out in more detail and get back to you.

They sound like fan tails. How many do you plan on keeping? You should at least keep 2 because they are social. To support them as adults you should get a 30 gallon tank. I suggest getting an emperor 400 bio wheel. Thats what I have on my 30 gallon tank with a ryukin and a black moor.
 
Okay they look like this. We put only 2 in the tank. The guy at the pet store said you couldn't put anymore then that, maybe 3 tops.
Well I can't seem to keep them alive that long. The last ones died in 2 weeks. Before that 2 died in a span of about 2 mnths. The third lasted maybe 5 mnths. I don't know what I am doing wrong.

goldfishsh2.jpg
 
That's a fan tail a fancy goldfish. How many inches is it now? They will get to be about 6 inches. They can get up and over a foot long. You don't include the tail when you measure. They are prob. dying because the tank is not cycled and the tank is not the proper size. As usual you were mislead by the pet store. People in pet stores generally don't know squat about proper fish care. 10 gallons is not big enough for even one of these guys full grown. You are going to need a 30 gallon tank for both of them and really good filtration. Do you know what filter you have now? You need to get a test kit for ammonia, ph, nitrates, and nitrites. Google "how to cycle a fish tank." A goldfish should live 20- 30 years.
 
You really need to get them out of that bowl. No fish should be kept in a bowl. Get them in a 10 gallon tank with a good filter. After they are about 3 inches get them into a 40 gallon. You could put them into a pond or give them back to the pet store. If you want a fish that can be kept in a small tank get a betta. 1 Drawf puffer can live in a 5 gallon too. The water looks like nitrites are high. Do water changes every day when they are in the bowl. Get an air stone to. Watch for them mouthing at the surface of the water. If they are then do a water change.
 
News:
Since reducing the food supply the fish have demonstrated increased activity and better mood.
Also today they started to graze on the plants in the bowl as shown.
All in all a great result so far.

Aquaria89,
Whilst I agree with what you are suggesting and note that it comes from extensive experience the problem I have is that it is not practical to use a larger tank. With regards to the quality of life for the fish the current environment is considerably better than where they were in the pet shop. However I regard your advice as valuable and thank you for giving it.
 
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They are in a better mood because the water is cleaner with the less food.

What do you mean its not piratical? You need to get it in a bigger tank to properly take care of the animal. How it was treated before does not justify the way it is being treated now. If you don't find the proper care of an animal practical and therefore wont properly take care of it, you should not have it in the first place. If you don't think I am right on how to properly care for the fish go to a forum like www.aquariacentral.com.
 
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