Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Moving your fish
• Part 2 of 3: Refreshing the contents of the fishbowl
• Part 3 of 3: Refilling the fishbowl
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

The water in your fishbowl should be changed at least once a week, but sometimes more often. Regular cleaning of the fishbowl is good for 2 things. First of all, it prevents the fishbowl from smelling. In addition, it helps your fish to stay healthy. If you notice that the fishbowl glass is getting hazy, then it is time to replace the dirty water with clean water.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Moving your fish

1. Find a temporary holder. Your fish should be placed in a separate container while you clean and refill their home. So find a bowl, bowl or bucket of suitable size that can serve as temporary shelter.
   • Use a bowl or container that has not been washed with soap, as the residue from many soaps can be harmful to fish.
2. Let the water “ripen”. You need to allow the water you will be using in the temporary fishbowl to age to balance the temperature and pH balance. After placing it in the temporary fishbowl, allow the water to stand overnight to reach the correct temperature and to neutralize the chlorine level in the water.
   • If you don't want to wait overnight for the water, it is wise to treat the water with dechlorinating agent. These products neutralize the chlorine that is in a lot of city water.
   • Make sure the water in the temporary fish bowl is the same temperature as the water in the normal fish bowl. It is also advisable to cover this fishbowl to prevent your fish from jumping out.
3. Avoid direct light. Do not place the temporary fishbowl in a window or under a bright light, the heat from those sources can increase the water temperature, which could harm your fish. Also make sure to place the temporary fishbowl in a place where children and other pets cannot reach it.
4. Move your fish. Take your fishing net and scoop your fish out of the fishbowl, then put them in the temporary container with fresh water. Use a large bowl as a temporary container so your fish have plenty of room to swim.
   • When using a fishing net to transfer your fish from one bowl to another, make sure the bowls are close together. This reduces the time the fish spend out of the water, which lowers their stress level.
   • You can also use a small, clean bowl to move your fish. Make sure there is no soap or soap residue on the bowl and choose a round bowl with smooth edges. Using this method, simply dip the bowl in the fishbowl and let the fish swim in it. Be patient and don't rush your fish as this could cause stress.
5. Keep an eye on your fish. While you are cleaning, it is good to keep an eye on the fish in the temporary container. Watch for changes in behavior, color and activity level. The following signs may indicate that the water in the temporary container is too hot:
   • Hyperactivity
   • Changes in the color of the fish
   • "Yawn" at the surface of the water (although some fish, such as labyrinth fish, just breathe like that).
   • If the water is too cold, your fish may show the following signs:
   • Inactivity
   • Lie on the bottom
   • Changes in color

Part 2 of 3: Refreshing the contents of the fishbowl

1. Remove dirty water. Discard the old water from the fishbowl. Use a net, strainer or filter to prevent solid objects from falling out of the bowl and into the drain. You can also pour the dirty water into a house or garden plant.
2. Clean the solid objects. Clean the gravel and other decorations in the fishbowl with warm water and a little salt. For best results, place the gravel and decorations in a sieve and rinse with hot tap water. Once you've done this, set the objects aside to cool.
3. Clean the bowl. Scrub the fishbowl with warm water and salt. Avoid soaps and cleansers that can leave a residue in the bowl. Then rinse the bowl well with warm water.
   • If there is significant scale build-up in the fishbowl, clean it with vinegar and rinse with warm water.
4. Leave the bowl. After washing and rinsing the fishbowl, let it sit for 20-30 minutes. This allows the glass of the bowl to cool after exposure to the warm water with which it was washed and rinsed. Allowing the bowl to cool to room temperature ensures that the bowl is the ideal temperature when you put the fish back in.

Part 3 of 3: Refilling the fishbowl

1. Replace the solid objects. Place the gravel and any decorations back in the clean bowl before adding clean water to the bowl. Make sure everything is in the same place as before washing so that you don't stress the fish by changing their habitat.
2. Fill the bowl with clean, matured water. Fill the fishbowl with room temperature water that has been left overnight or has been treated. If you choose to use dechlorinator, be careful not to spill. It can leave a chemical odor on your carpet or furniture.
   • You may prefer to use a dechlorinator rather than let the water sit overnight. If so, be sure to give the water temperature enough time to balance out before returning the fish to the bowl.
   • Make sure to cover the water or put it out of reach if you have other pets or children. This will help prevent the water from becoming contaminated as it matures.
3. Replace the fish. Scoop your fish from the temporary container with your fishing net or small bowl. Try to move the fish as soon as possible to avoid stress. Also, be careful not to drop the fish as this can cause serious injuries.
4. Return the fish to their original bowl. Return your fish to the fish bowl filled with clean water. Gently put the fish in the water with a net or bowl. Do not throw or simply drop the fish into the fishbowl.
5. Keep an eye on your fish. Fish typically experience stress and illness associated with their environment or temperature when, and immediately after, cleaning their fishbowl. So keep a close eye on your fish after you put them back in to make sure they adapt well to their sanitized environment.

Tips

• Treating the water in the fishbowl will keep your fish's habitat cleaner and reduce the need for water changes. Consult the use of water treatments with an expert or someone who works at a local fish store.
• Make sure you don't buy too many fish and that you don't choose fish that are too big for your fishbowl.
• If you'd rather not treat the water, use bottled spring water to replace the dirty water.
• Never change the water 100%. This removes good bacteria and could shock your fish. Changes in water temperature may also shock your fish.
• Buy a small filter that can be placed under the gravel to keep the water cleaner.
• Preferably do not keep fish in a bowl. Bowls are too small and cannot fit a filter or heater. Bettas and goldfish both require an aquarium with a filter. If you absolutely want to keep fish in a bowl, choose fish like Chinese danios.

Warnings

• Make sure the water in the temporary bowl and fish bowl is dechlorinated and at room temperature before moving the fish from one bowl to another.
• If you are using dechlorinator, follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully to protect your fish.

Necessities

• Fishbowl
• Gravel
• Extra bowl where the fish can swim during the water change.
• Fine sieve (optional)
• Dechlorinating agent (optional)