Ok, I've been thinking about getting a fish for my dorm because I love my pets and sadly, I cannot take them with me so I want some kind of pet in my room. Is a fish a good idea? If so what kind? My room is very small and I'm sharing with another girl so I probabaly need a small fish...something that can live happily in a small bowl.
2006-07-28 03:15:45 · 27 answers · asked by BamaBelle 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
No fish will live happily in a bowl. To see any fish at its best and to make sure it lives a long healthy life, you will need an actual tank with a filter and aerator.
Since you're going to be in such cramped quarters, why don't you look into a small 2.5 gallon tank that comes complete with light, filter and aerator. (Look at PetSmart or any other chain store - they run about $50-75 for a really nice one).
If you're going to go for the 2.5-gallon tank, you can pretty much only house a single betta in there, along with three or four ghost shrimp. Remember that you will also have to buy a hiding spot and a couple of fake plants, as well as gravel or other substrate.
A goldfish is not appropriate for anything less than a 20-gallon tank, as they produce far too much waste for anything less, and they will outgrow anything less. You are also not going to be able to get any algae eaters or cichlids, as they will quickly outgrow small tanks.
You will also need to do weekly 20% water changes in order to keep your fish healthy and happy.
Good luck.
EDIT: If you go with a betta, you will still need to get a small heater for him or make sure that your room is consistently warm. Bettas are tropical fish, and they require STEADY temperatures of around 78F.
2006-07-28 08:21:21 · answer #1 · answered by birdistasty 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A betta fish is your best bet. I just moved into a small apartment and like you, I love pets. I actually plan to get me a betta fish next week. Bettas or best because they require little space, no filtration (as long as you keep it cleaned about once a week), and are attractive fish. They are the simplest fish to take care of, but I would make sure to read up on the care of the betta to make sure you were doing everything right. Goldfish are messy and require filtration in order to keep their water clean, which can still be a problem in small tanks.
2006-07-28 09:51:22 · answer #2 · answered by Derek M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT GET A GOLDFISH!
I jsut got one and apparently, they have to be kept in 10 gallon or even bigger tanks by themselves and they excrete so much waste they have so much care that need to be given to them.
At college I kept a betta fish. They only need their water changed once a week and don't need anything special. Just food pellets, water conditioner and a small goldfish bowl or tank. You can get a half gallon betta tank at the pet store with the water conditioner and food for under $10. Betta fish come in wonderful colors and are only $3-5! Have fun and enjoy. Betta fish have a great personality!
2006-07-28 03:33:22 · answer #3 · answered by cutie pie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you plan on putting the fish into a bowl do NOT get anything besides a Betta. Bettas are a labyrinth fish which means they breath air straight from the outside environment. They are the only fish that can do this besides gouramis, which need a much bigger tank. If you want to consider any other fish I recommend a 10 gal. tank with good filtration and aeration. Definitely get a Betta.
2006-07-28 05:56:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anita B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do not get a goldfish! They are pond fish that need a lot of oxygen/filtration and space. The only fish that survive well in a bowl is a labyrinth fish, like a betta or dwarf gourami. They have gills AND lungs so they can come up for air like we do. They can live in puddles in the wild, and only need food every other day.
If you get a small tank with a filter, you can try a guppy, or a "critter" like aquatic dwarf frogs.
Other pets to try would be: hermit crabs, tree frogs, tarantulas, newts, or mice... if it is allowed.
2006-07-28 03:25:13 · answer #5 · answered by Emily 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't get a goldfish... I have a bunch, and they are messy. They need tank with a filter which can be noisy. And since you're sharing a room, it might not be a good idea.
You can however get a Betta. They are nice and colourful. Really easy to take care of. Pet store sell little Betta tanks. They don't require a filter, you just need to make sure to do partial water changes every week.
2006-07-28 03:23:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As others have said goldfish grow far to big, and produce far too much waste to survive in bowls. A single betta is your
DO NOT do the death trap that is the "betta in a vase" phenomenon. Bettas are carnivores, and need to have their water changed regularly. A betta can live quite happily in a large vase with a plant, but you still need to do the normal feeding.
If you want a betta read up up on betta care on bettatalk.
2006-07-28 09:40:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A betta seems to be a logical choice. Probably the only choice, in fact. BUT if you're going to keep it in a BOWL, then at least provide some air flow (through plastic tube, air stone & air pump). Bowls are not ideal. And do frequent small water changes.
2006-07-28 05:42:20 · answer #8 · answered by nfaustman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try a male beta.
They prefer to live alone, are very colorful, and thrive in bowls (in other words, they don't need a recirculating pump and you won't need to change the water that often). I have also seen symbiotic beta setups that include a plant. The beta eats the plant and the plant eats the waste from the beta.
Very nice looking and low on maintenance.
2006-07-28 03:23:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to have a betta when I lived in the barracks. Easy to feed and take care of, and they like being alone, can't stand other fish. No aerator required, he'd just come up and grab a breath every so often. And if you want a show, put a little hand mirror up to the glass and watch him puff up.
2006-07-28 03:22:22 · answer #10 · answered by fishing66833 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋