Pet fish advice

[Beth76]

My son (4-1/2) was playing "fishbowl" the other day in the bathtub. He filled a clear cup with water and put his sharkboy figurine in it. I figured maybe I should get him a real fish. But, I don't want anything major. Just a fish in a bowl. Are those the beta fish that I hear people talking about? Do those work well? What do I need to know about this? Should I take him to pick it out or let Santa surprise him?

 

[Bob Slydell]

My 5 year old got a Tetra 2.5 (gallon) tank for his birthday from a friend, along with the accessories for it like the pebbles and some artificial plants. It's a nice starter little aquarium. We went and bought him a couple guppies (that's what the pet store guy said would work best for that sized tank) and he picked out a little "No Fishing" sign which he added. He loves it -- and usually actually remembers to feed them (although Dad gets stuck cleaning it ).

 

[RUDisney]

They make really cool little bowls for betta fish. My DD has one in one of the normal glass bowls in which bettas are typically found with plants. DS has one in his room that is in an outerspace tank.

They are truly low maintenance fish. I know this from experience since we also have a saltwater tank.

 

[SC Minnie]

DD's betta fish lasted a month before she killed it. I couldn't believe how much she loved that fish. Just after she got it she wrote in a project from school that getting 'Fred' was a highlight in her life.

While it was alive it was easy to take care of. Clean the bowl and feed and that's about it.

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

If you don't want to deal with a filter then a beta fish is the way to go. Beta fish actually come up to the surface of the water to breathe unlike goldfish. I had my beta in a glass bowl with marbles at the bottom. Both of which I got from the dollar store. The fish food lasted for forever too. I used to clean mine once a week but this is because I wanted to, it was never necessary. They are very easy to take care of. You just cannot have two betas in one bowl or two near each other in seperate bowls. This is because they are territorial fish. I've also had a 10 gallon tank with some goldfish and a catfish. Once it is set up its easy to take care of. I never had to clean it since the filter worked well. I would just feed the fish everyday and make sure they are alive.

 

[Jennifer S]

Fish were our first pet. We got so many before caving in to a dog. We had goldfish which don't always live real long. I think they lasted a year. after that new ones kept dying and we hated cleaning the tank. Maybe look int the beta- seems to be lower maintenance.

If you lived closer I'd give you my tank and all the stuff that goes with it. I think the pet stores have small ones for @ $20.

 

[Megster]

I have a blue beta named napoleon. My parents got him for my birthday a little over a year ago. They're really low maintenance. You feed them once a day and add new "aged" water to the bowl about every 1-2 weeks. They also like small areas so beta bowls tend to be smaller and theres no filter involved. My bowl sits on my desk shelf.

They're more interactive (as fish go) than goldfish. Because they're territorial when you walk up to the bowl they'll swim up and puff out their fins which is kinda cool.
I think that you could just pick one out. Male betas come in different colors (mostly red, blue or purple) the females are brown and kinda ugly.

 

[pearlieq]

Whatever you do, make every effort to get a big enough container, with filtered/recirculated water. I know some people think it's "just a fish", but would you want to be trapped in a small bowl of stagnant water? This is a great opportunity to teach your kids about compassion and stewardship for animals.

Hope you find a great new addition to the family!

 

[Michie]

I would strongly suggest getting one of those electronic aquariums, the ones with the faux fish.Like you get at Spencers. We have not had very good luck with our betta. She has made many a trip to the vet to be cleaned.

 

[Briarmom]

I would strongly suggest getting one of those electronic aquariums, the ones with the faux fish.Like you get at Spencers. We have not had very good luck with our betta. She has made many a trip to the vet to be cleaned.

We have mollies (sp). They are pretty durable, but they do breed, so make sure to get all girls or all boys.

 

[thelittlemermaid]

DH has had Bettas and Goldfish and can't keep any of them alive.

But he can keep everything in his saltwater/reef tank alive and keep it running like a well oiled machine. And saltwater is suppose to be the hardest to take care of.

I have no idea what he is doing wrong with the Bettas and Goldfish, but I have banned him from getting anymore.

 

[almacdonald]

From experience, larger fish tanks are easier to take care of. Fish bowls are more susceptible to temperature change and fluctuations in ion concentrations. In an aquarium/fish bowl an ecosystem develops with the fish and bacteria in the water. The bacteria are responsible for regulating the nitrogen cycle and what not...........


TIME OUT. This is getting too scientific. Fish are pretty good first pets. They teach kids about life and death and give them minor responsibilities. If you're looking to minimize the maintenance, go with a 10 gallon aquarium or larger, they tend to maintain themselves.

(sorry for the geek ramble)

 

[almacdonald]

and you can put a betta in an aquarium, only one though. they're also known as siamese fighting fish for a reason!

 

[kidshop]

We have goldfish. I have the 2.5 gallon tank from the pet store, the one that comes in bright colors. It's around $20-25 and has a filter. It's a good size for about 2 fish. We just lost Flippy, who we had for over 3 years! His 'brother' is over a year old! And these are the .12 goldfish. We sprung for a .29 one last weekend LOL! We change the carbon filter every few months ($8 for 3) and add fresh water as needed. We give the tank a complete cleaning twice a year or so. They are really easy to take care of, the key is not to overfeed. I feed them a pinch of food once a day. We enjoy them, and I do believe any creature deserves a good life with an environment that is appropriate for them. So get a real tank, with some plants and a filter for your new pet.

 

[Beth76]

Seriously, I was just looking for a small fish bowl thing. I don't really want to have to deal with a 10 gallon tank and filters. Maybe I'll take a trip to the pet store this weekend and scope out my options. Thanks!

 

[justhat]

My nephew has a small fish bowl that looks like a Mickey head with a beta fish in it. It's maybe 2 gallons or so, but it has a filter, which I think is great cause it is small but yet the filter makes it very easy to maintain. As someone who has a 55 gallon fish tank and has had numerous goldfish in bowls, I really think the filtered tank is much easier to maintain. So if you can find a tiny bowl with a filter (or just get a tiny filter and stick it in a goldfish bowl) it does make it easier to keep up, IMO. With just a bowl you have to make sure the water is the right temp and acidity when you clean the bowl, and if you do this often it becomes a pain. With a filtered tank you just add more water when necessary and you're set.

 

[minkydog]

We have had Bettas for about 4years now and my DH is crazy about them! He named his blue Warren Betta and DD named her light green Tinkerbell. Tink lived until about a month ago when she started losing her color and went belly up. Now we have a hot pink named SweetTart who is going strong.

Warren has tons of personality. When DH taps the top of the bowl Warren comes out of his weeds and 'dances'. He puffs out his fins and swims to the top looking for food. You can actually hear him cruching it

 

[aprilgail2]

We have had a Beta since June...no need for a filter, just change the water weekly....I have ours in a One gallon goldfish bowl...they say you can keep them in those small bowls but they are just so small, I felt sorry for it....I threw in gravel and a couple live plants and its been with us many months...I feed it 3 pellets every other day....