Mom intent on keeping goldfish in bowl!

We are Iranian, and thus celebrate the Iranian New Year (which runs 13 days in March) known as Nowruz. Every year, we setup several items like apples, spices, nuts, sweets, and other things that are considered 'good luck' on a table. Among these things is a goldfish bowl with not 1, but 2 goldfish. Because odd numbers are unlucky and will inevitably bring our family harm throughout the year.

This is something we've done every year now, but since I got into the hobby last December, I'm dead against this. As we all know it's torture to keep any fish in bowls..

So I brought it up today, and nobody seemed to listen to my pleads to at least put them in my 10 gallon fish less cycled tank, and then either release them into our neighbors pond, or upgrade soon. Apparently tradition trumps animal ethics.

So I threatened that if she does bring fish home next week, I will take them off the display table and put them in my tank. 10 gallons, although too small for even 1 comet, beats an unfiltered bowl.

Comments/ suggestions as to what to do?

BTW, wasn't sure what area to post in, but this seemed reasonable since my mom's a "beginner", although she's been torturing fish her entire life....

 

Some people see fish as more of an object than living being. One thing that might help with the bowl is if you do daily 100% water changes. Then you could take them back to the pet store when it's over or release them in the pond. Good Luck!!!

 

There are times that people hold traditions very highly, I could go on a long story telling run about olden days of animal sacrifice and all that but I won't.

There are traditions, and sometimes we have to look the other way on things. I agree that having goldfish in a bowl is not the best of places for them, but if you look at things, the fish may actually be better off than they were in the store. Most likely if they did not come home to the bowl they would become food for another animal or end up dying a horrible death.

My advice to you is to uphold traditions and customs and while you don't agree with the tradition maybe some studying on why the goldfish are used. You can also help care for them as best possible and in the end give them a much better home.

 

My advice to you is to uphold traditions and customs and while you don't agree with the tradition maybe some studying on why the goldfish are used. You can also help care for them as best possible and in the end give them a much better home.

I would have to agree with this....:

 

What would you think about putting them in a tropical 55 gallon setup (75 degrees fahrenheit) with angelfish, red eye tetras, and corydoras?...

 

I think it would be a fine end result after the new year celebration ends.

 

Well first off...Happy New Year! What year will it be on the Iranian Calander?

What is tradidionally done with the goldfish after the 13 days? I would think that the goldfish would make it thru 13 days in a bowl, if you did a lot of water changes and then maybe you could put them in a tank.

I am assuming this is your parents that you are having this struggle with, and all I can say is that right or wrong, you should be doing what your parents wish, so long as you live in their house. You can plead your case with them, but in the end it comes down to what they say goes. But I do admire your caring so much about the fish.

 

+1 to jdhef. And happy new year !!

 

I think it would be a fine end result after the new year celebration ends.

Sure about that? If these are commets then I think even a tad bigger would be needed for them to share the tank.

 

Yes I do think it would be fine. I never said perfect.

 

Certainly better than a bowl.

 

Indeed better but overstocked would still be overstocked. I suppose if its the only option though it is what should be done. I have a complete disagreence on Tradition vs animal abuse of course but ill keep it shut.

 

I have a complete disagreence on Tradition vs animal abuse of course but ill keep it shut.

Agree or disagree, your opinion is as good as anyone elses.

 

Happy new year, and +1 on the water changes daily!

 

Indeed better but overstocked would still be overstocked. I suppose if its the only option though it is what should be done. I have a complete disagreence on Tradition vs animal abuse of course but ill keep it shut.

In this sense to me it isn't about animal cruelty as much as it is respect. I agree that it is cruel in the first place but out of respect of the elders of the house I would let the tradition happen and deal with it as best I could.

 

My problem isn't with what hes not doing, I agree elders should be respected. Its with the whole concept of it, it IS animal abuse. Traditions are traditions, however I don't belive that if the tradition was to slaughter a dog youd all be just as supportive.

 

You would be surprised, I understand a lot about culture and heritage, I do not go to other countries and tell them that they can't uphold their traditions because I do not agree, I just try to deal with it as best I can. There are places out there that eat a lot of animals that we would be horrified to think about. I am a tolerant person of tradition, again I go back to the days of old when animal sacrifices were normal and commonplace.

 

It is important to your family to uphold their traditions. You should always honor your family. That being said, those goldfish are lucky that you will be there to care for them for the next two weeks. If they are small and precautions are taken to not overfeed, I think that they will be fine. Daily water changes should keep them as healthy as possible. Look at it like this, instead of opposing your parents wishes, embrace them and help the little fishies make it through the next two weeks.

 

You would be surprised, I understand a lot about culture and heritage, I do not go to other countries and tell them that they can't uphold their traditions because I do not agree, I just try to deal with it as best I can. There are places out there that eat a lot of animals that we would be horrified to think about. I am a tolerant person of tradition, again I go back to the days of old when animal sacrifices were normal and commonplace.

Where do you draw the line? Its okay for you to starve a dog based on tradition but not stupidity? You can sacrifice animals but animal testing is bad? What about arranged marriages, or fattening huts? Or a step further and sacrificing humans based on traditions. Are enemies okay and not your children? I know I'm taking things rather far here, but carrying on tradition when you are causing harm and not really benefiting from it, other than saying you did it, doesn't seem like a thing to want to respect and uphold.

To the OP: I would do daily water changes to the bowl, and if you have any spare plants that the goldfish tolerate I would add those to help suck up ammonia as well. Once the ordeal is over I would try to return or rehome them. I would not suggest keeping them with Tropical fish long-term as Coldwater fish like goldfish have different requirements.

 

Yeah, you took that a little too far there. We're talking about Goldfish. Lets try to keep this in context.

 

I don't draw a line that's my point. My question based on tradition is how do you know they do not benefit from it? Is there something to all of this with the fish? I don't claim to be right wrong or otherwise. Call me cruel call me whatever you want but I don't feel it is my place to say someone can't perform a cultural, religious, or other tradition because I don't like it, or don't believe it. If this was the case then I should be doing nothing but chasing people all over this earth that have different beliefs than I do because they must be wrong.

It was stated above, do what you can for them while still showing respect and honor towards the families way and belief even thou you disagree. This is the basis for tolerance which is surely lacking in the country these days.

 

Please remember to be respectful of the opinions and beliefs of others. Some cultures don't even give fish the same consideration as a dog or cat. It doesn't matter if we agree or disagree.

While it can be difficult to understand and accept the traditions of other cultures, showing disrespect to elders never ends good.

 

Good morning,

Under the circumstances, I believe the Original Poster has received the best response possible which is daily water changes for as long as the fish remain in the bowl.

It isn't up to us to recommend going against his family traditions.

Thread closed.

Ken