Hi, I have 3 goldfishes (2 medium - 1 small size) in a 5 gallon tank with no pump or filter. It's at my office, approx 2-3 feet away from the window.

I checked the water temp and it's pretty cool - but my fishes keep going up for air.

I read a few blogs and most say they just need oxygen which mean I would need a pump of some sort...

The question would be - if i didn't get a pump - would my fishes die? Or would they just keep coming up for air? Any long term problems?

Thanks - all comments welcomed.
Ms Lina.

The question would be - if i didn't get a pump - would my fishes die? Yes, your fish are suffocating.  They only are able to obtain oxygen from their water through their gills.  They are not able to breathe air from the atmosphere like mammals do!

Or would they just keep coming up for air?  They are trying to get air at the surface at the tank where oxygen levels are the highest.  5 gallons for 3 goldfish is too small.  They need at least a 30 gallon.  A 5 gallon tank for 3 fish is a torture chamber.
 

Any long term problems? Absolutely!!!  Think of it as you being locked in a small closet for the rest of your life with no fresh air.  Your fish will suffer gill damage and brain damage, internal organ damage and eventually death.  
Do your fish a favor and either get them a bigger tank with adequate filtration and aerationor give them away and get a betta instead.  A betta has a special organ that allows it to breathe surface air.

Thank you for your input. I'm kinda of shocked to hear this - as the people in petsmart told me it would be fine. Trust me when I say, my intensions are not to torture my new fish.

I'll invest in a pump right away. And see if I can donate the other 2. Thanks again for your quick response.

Lina.

Sometimes the store will take back the fish if you return them soon enough.  Just PLEASE DO NOT FLUSH THEM!!  Sometimes daycares, doctor's offices, or schools will take them.