Choosing a bowl for a goldfish can be a big task because we know now that goldfish kept in small bowls without filtration often don’t live very happy, healthy lives. There isn’t anything inherently wrong with keeping your goldfish in a bowl, though. It’s just a commitment to ensuring proper care and maintenance.
One thing that can make a goldfish bowl easier to care for is to purchase a larger bowl than a standard 1-gallon. A larger bowl allows for more space for filtration and fewer water changes. We’ve chosen the best of the best large goldfish bowls and provided reviews to help make choosing a large goldfish bowl easier for you.
A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024
Image | Product | Details | ||
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Best Overall | biOrb Classic LED Aquarium |
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Best Value | Koller Products Tropical Aquarium |
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Premium Choice | biOrb Tube MCR Aquarium |
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Penn-Plax Aquasphere 360˚ Fish Aquarium |
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biOrb Halo MCR Aquarium |
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The 7 Best Large Goldfish Bowls
1. biOrb Classic LED Aquarium – Best Overall
Available sizes: | 4 gallons, 8 gallons, 16 gallons, 28 gallons |
Includes light: | Yes |
Includes filtration: | Yes |
Shape: | Sphere |
Special features: | Available in three colors |
The best overall large goldfish bowl is the biOrb Classic LED Aquarium. This bowl is available in four sizes from 4 gallons to 28 gallons. It’s made with a seamless appearance and has a base and matching lid. You can choose from black, white, or silver for your base and lid. This bowl includes a 5-stage filtration system and a bubbler to help aerate your bowl.
This bowl is compatible with all biOrb products and parts, making it convenient to replace or repair anything you might need to. It includes ceramic media to help colonize beneficial bacteria and the bowl is made from acrylic, which is much lighter and stronger than glass. The LED light is built into the lid and is made to last for years.
This bowl is not compatible with a heater and cannot be placed in direct sunlight. In high heat, the acrylic may warp.
You may also be interested in: 10 Best Budget Friendly Goldfish Tank Filters
2. Koller Products Tropical 360 View Aquarium Starter Kit – Best Value
Available sizes: | 2 gallons, 3 gallons, 6 gallons |
Includes light: | Yes |
Includes filtration: | Yes |
Shape: | Cylinder |
Special features: | Color-changing LED light |
The best large goldfish bowl for the money is the Koller Products Tropical 360 View Aquarium Starter Kit. This cylindrical fishbowl is available in three sizes from 2-6 gallons. It includes a 3-stage filtration system and startup filter media. This seamless acrylic fishbowl includes a black lid and attached LED light.
This bowl allows for 360˚ panoramic viewing of your fish through ultra-clear acrylic. The included LED light has seven color options to choose from and can be set to rotate through the colors or stay on one color. This kit also includes samples of water conditioner and tropical fish food. This kit is safe to use with a heater, but you will have to purchase one separately.
The LED light for this bowl is battery-powered and the batteries commonly run out of power quickly. Some people have found that investing in different lights with the kit saves money in the long run.
3. biOrb Tube MCR Aquarium – Premium Choice
Available sizes: | 9 gallons |
Includes light: | Yes |
Includes filtration: | Yes |
Shape: | Cylinder |
Special features: | Shorter than most cylindrical fishbowls |
For the premium choice of large goldfish bowls, the biOrb Tube MCR Aquarium takes the cake. This fishbowl is available in 9 gallons and the base and lid can be black or white based on your preference. This kit includes 5-stage filtration and a bubbler for aeration. The lid sits flat on top of the bowl, giving it a low-profile appearance.
The LED light included with this kit can be set to 16 different colors, giving you plenty of options. This fishbowl is compatible with all other biOrb products. It includes high surface area filter media to help colonize beneficial bacteria. This kit includes samples of water conditioner and a biological booster to help startup your beneficial bacteria colonies.
This bowl is not compatible with a heater and cannot be placed in direct sunlight. Like many other acrylic tanks, it may warp in high heat.
Housing a goldfish isn't as simple as buying a bowl. If you're a new or experienced goldfish keeper who wants to get the setup right for your goldfish family, check out the best-selling book, The Truth About Goldfish, on Amazon. It covers all you need to know about the ideal tank setup, tank size, substrate, ornaments, plants, and so much more!
4. Penn-Plax Aquasphere 360˚ Fish Aquarium
Available sizes: | 10 gallons |
Includes light: | Yes |
Includes filtration: | Yes |
Shape: | Sphere |
Special features: | Surface oil skimmer and protein skimmer |
The Penn-Plax Aquasphere 360˚ Fish Aquarium is a premium price item with great functionality. This fishbowl includes a 3-stage filtration system and LED light. The bowl itself is made from sturdy polycarbonate acrylic, making it strong and lightweight. It includes a surface oil skimmer and protein skimmer for saltwater setups.
The light included with this kit can be set to red, blue, or green, all with a single touch. The LED light and filter are built into the hood, which hovers over the top of the bowl. This bowl is compatible with a heater but does not include one.
This bowl is not fully covered with the hood, and it does not “seal” the tank shut, so use caution around children and pets. The LED light does not include a white light option and is not strong enough to support plant growth.
5. biOrb Halo MCR Aquarium
Available sizes: | 4 gallons |
Includes light: | Yes |
Includes filtration: | Yes |
Shape: | Sphere |
Special features: | Sits on raised base |
The biOrb Halo MCR Aquarium is a great option if you’re looking for a large fishbowl that is on the smaller side since it only holds 4 gallons of water. This tank kit includes 5-stage filtration and a multicolor LED light. The fishbowl sits on a white base that is raised and sits on four feet.
The hood of this fishbowl hides the waterline, giving it a fully seamless appearance. It is magnetic, making it easy to access the inside of the tank if needed. The LED light has 16 colors to choose from and has settings that allow you to fade or brighten the lights. The light is fully remote controlled. This kit includes ceramic filter media, water conditioner sample, and biological booster sample.
Since this large fishbowl is on the smaller end, it will require more routine water changes than a larger bowl would. Since the lid is magnetic, it may be opened by children and pets.
6. Koller Products AquaView 3-Gallon Aquarium
Available sizes: | 3 gallons |
Includes light: | Yes |
Includes filtration: | Yes |
Shape: | Sphere |
Special features: | One piece construction |
The Koller Products AquaView 3-Gallon Aquarium is a good pick for the smallest size “large” fishbowl. It is larger than the standard 1-gallon but is still compact enough for small spaces. This kit includes a 3-stage filtration system and LED light. The LED light has seven color options that are easy to adjust. This fishbowl is compatible with heaters, although it does not include one.
This fishbowl will require regular water changes due to its size. You may need to invest in a more powerful filtration system if you intend to keep heavy bioload fish like goldfish. This bowl may be difficult to clean, and bubbles may collect on the surfaces of the acrylic, decreasing visibility.
7. Sungmor Large Garden Bowl
Available sizes: | 3 gallons |
Includes light: | No |
Includes filtration: | No |
Shape: | Halfmoon |
Special features: | Outdoor friendly |
The Sungmor Large Garden Bowl is a neat fishbowl option if you are looking for something to use to create a small water garden indoors or outdoors. This bowl holds approximately 3 gallons of water and is available in ash black, blue black, and earth yellow. It is not clear, so you will only be able to view fish from above. It features a nice texture on the outside of the bowl, giving it a stone or concrete look. This bowl does not include any filtration or lighting. It is made for outdoor use, so it will not fade or break down for years if left in the elements.
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Large Goldfish Bowls
Size
The size of your goldfish bowl should provide an appropriate amount of swimming space for the number and size of goldfish you have. The more goldfish you have, the larger your goldfish bowl should be. A 4-gallon bowl would work well for one or two small goldfish, but four goldfish or two large goldfish would need much more space.
Kit Contents
Some kits come with everything you need to get up and running while other kits come with limited items. Consider how much you want out of your purchase when choosing the right goldfish bowl for you. If you have a preferred filtration system or light, then you can aim for a fishbowl that doesn’t include these items. If you aren’t comfortable choosing these products, then an all-inclusive kit is a great option for you.
Space
The available space you have for a large fishbowl is an important aspect of choosing a bowl. If you’re looking for a large goldfish bowl you can keep on a desk or kitchen counter, you will want it to be on the smaller size, so it doesn’t overtake the space. If you are looking for a large goldfish bowl you can use as a centerpiece on your coffee table or large piece of furniture, then a larger goldfish bowl is ideal to help draw attention to that space.
Why Do I Need a Filter?
Technically, you don’t need a filter, but when keeping goldfish, you really want one. Goldfish create a heavy bioload, which means they create a lot of waste in their environment. Filtration can help remove some solid waste and it functions as a space to colonize beneficial bacteria to keep toxic waste products, like ammonia and nitrites, under control.
Filtration also functions as an important part of aerating your tank, which adds oxygen to the water for your fish to breathe. Goldfish are able to breathe surface air, but it isn’t ideal for their health to keep them in a low oxygen environment that requires this all the time. Aerating and filtering your tank will create a healthier space for your goldfish.
Final Thoughts
The best overall pick for a large goldfish bowl is the biOrb Classic LED Aquarium, which is an all-inclusive kit to get you started and is available in multiple large sizes. If you’re on a tighter budget, the Koller Products Tropical 360 View Aquarium Starter Kit is a great option that provides everything you need to get started. For a high-end item, you’ll love the biOrb Tube MCR Aquarium, which features everything you need, including a light with 16 color options.
These reviews are to provide you a condensed view of the best large goldfish bowl options on the market. Choosing a fishbowl that’s an appropriate size and creates a healthy environment for your goldfish will keep them with you for a long time.
Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock