Thus, a dependable water heater (such as the Marina betta aquarium heater) is necessary.Īlso, poor filtration can be fatal for this species. But again, we should ensure that the animals in our care thrive, not merely survive.īettas prefer very warm water-even warmer than many other tropical fish. And yes, a betta might even survive for some time under these conditions. What About Bettas and Goldfish?Įven though there really isn't any fish species that is suited for life in a bowl, bettas and goldfish are especially poor choices. Fish bowls are inherently unnatural and uncomfortable places to live for any kind or size of fish.įor those folks who really, really like the look of a fish bowl and have severely limited space, a couple of hardy, appropriately sized aquatic plants might be your most reasonable (and ethical) stocking option. And, arguably, the most enjoyment to be had in this hobby comes from pampering your pets and not from penny-pinching or cutting corners.įish are living creatures that are very much capable of experiencing stress. Worse than a bad deal, fish bowls, even with some sort of filtration, do not provide a healthy environment for your captive animals. However, these packages are usually more expensive than a similarly equipped (but much larger and more functional) 10-gallon beginner's aquarium setup. Sure, some bowls do come with custom-fit fish tank filters, heaters and even lighting.
Typical filtration equipment simply does not easily fit into in oddly shaped containers. This invites disaster, considering that the smaller a fish tank is, the more important it is that a good water filter is in place. Fish Bowls Lack Proper FiltrationĪnother problem with bowls is that they complicate filtration. What is best for bowls is to fill them halfway to maximize the size of the water surface however, this leaves pitifully little water for the fish to move around in. In many cases, fish suffocate even in the cleanest water simply because oxygen cannot diffuse into the water as fast as it is consumed. Bowls taper toward the top, so completely filling them leaves too little water surface for proper gas exchange. Part of this has to do with how the surface area of the air-water interface changes as you fill them.įish bowls are usually pretty small anyway, so the temptation is to fill them all the way up. However, bowl-shaped vessels are especially faulty. Undersized housing is bad for fish (or any animal) in any situation. Preventing these rapid fluctuations isn't very easy, either, due to the smaller water volume and typical lack of water filtration. This is because they are comparatively less stable both physical and chemical parameters tend to swing wildly in fish bowls. Though it may seem counterintuitive, smaller containers require much more expertise to successfully operate over the long term. This is particularly so where novice fishkeepers are concerned.
#Fish bowl with lid upgrade#
Nothing could be further from the truth.Īs many seasoned aquarium retailers will surely tell you, the vast majority of attempts to keep fish in bowls ends in one of two ways: either keepers quickly find the bowl too difficult to manage and upgrade to a conventional aquarium system anyway, or their experience with the bowl is so frustrating that they give up on fishkeeping altogether. Most often and most incorrectly, some believe that because a fish bowl is smaller, it is easier to maintain than an aquarium. Additionally, some hobbyists, particularly those who are hesitant to spend much money, might consider a fish bowl a cheap alternative to a fish aquarium.īut for fish, they do not provide a healthy or suitable environment.
You do have to admit that many of these bowls, especially when stocked with a miniature fish and a sprig of aquatic plant, can be quite cute. Whether on the office desk, a bedroom nightstand or an entry table in your home, it's understandable why someone might want that little splash of life that a fish bowl seems to provide. Even for many of us who already own and maintain sizable aquarium systems, the idea of keeping fish in a tiny enclosure can be rather appealing.
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