What would be a good type of fish/water pet for a 20 lb tank in a classroom?

Question

I teach elementary school children with special needs? Anyone have any experience with fish as pets in this type of classroom?

YES, I meant 20 gallons. Geez people, just answer the question.

Answer 1

I have Platys... Also known as a Mickey Mouse fish. They are super easy to take care of, plus they love to swim around. They eat regular food and are not aggressive. I've had mine since February, and they're still swimming around like champs.

Answer 2

I suggest you purchase a couple of guppies. They are very easy to keep, are not as messy as goldfish and do not grow very big (about couple of inches full grown). You can keep them in a little 3-5 gallon aquarium with a small hanging filter or a cheap internal filter. The whole setup including gravel and a few plants should only cost you around $30 for a basic one or less than $50.00 for a real nice one piece design by Marineland which has a built in filter in the lid. Check around on the internet and you can find some good deals. If included a link to a website so you can see how it looks like.

Answer 3

Id stick with mollys and guppies. they are easy fish for someone new to keeping an aquarium and they are all pretty hardy fish so going home for the weekends wont be a issue as far as maintenece while your not there. They are also live bearing fish so they actually give birth and very easily reproduce in home or your case classroom tanks. It may be something good for the kids to see the fish give birth instead of laying eggs.

Answer 4

I have never experienced fish as pets in this type of class room though my step mom runs an in home daycare and the fish seem to calm a kid w/ bi polar down and are very soothing to watch. I would recommend getting a 30 gallon filter and getting like 13-15 MALE guppies (are prettier then females and can't produce babies) around 4-6 panda,bronze,dwarf corydoras catfish, and about 5 ghost shrimp. This tank would be calm and full of color.
Hope This Helps!!!
Do not put goldfish in a tank that small!!!

Answer 5

Goldfish are not a good idea. They are not easy and they grow too big. A great idea is a group of female bettas. They are very easy and they come in so many colors. Yours kids will love being able to see the rainbow of fish in your tank, yet it will be easy on you to have just one species.

Answer 6

I assume you mean a 20 gallon tank

I would go with anything that has soothing colors for your kids, nothing that gets them hyper

as example
6 zebra danios (they're grey and black)
6 neons (they'r blue with a bit of red)
4 balloon mollies in yellow, all males, they usually have black dots on them
4 white mollies
4 cory cats like a peppercory for the bottom

live plants like anubis for the bottom, and water sprite as floating ones

green or blue gravel


Hope that helps
Good luck


EB

Answer 7

This may sound silly...but Goldfish!! In a tank with an appropriate filter, they're easy and CHEAP!!! Buy a couple of small feeder goldfish and they will grow to be a decent size fish with beautiful color. AND they actually will pay attention to the kids. Our little feeder lasted in our 5 gallon tank for 7 years. What was a dull greyish fish became a 4 inch brilliant gold beauty AND when we approached the tank, she would greet us and eat flakes off our fingers. She was great.

Answer 8

As long as your kids don't hurt or bother the fish.... I guess you could keep some fish... When you say 20 lbs do you mean 20 gallons?


OH IM SO SORRY!!!!!!!! Why are you cranky?

Answer 9

Water is usually measured in litres or gallons lb is pounds which is a measurement of weight. I pity your students.

Answer 10

A whale... ummm. Yeah! A whale. I great big blue one.