File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
Okay I have come into possession of a huge drum-shaped candy bowl, much like pictured- it's bigger than my head. I think I can fit a betta in here, getting a tank any larger seems kinda like overkill. I made the fucking mistake of buying petstore fish, one which killed everything in my 2 year old tank in 2 days, and out of shame never took up fish keeping again. But I still yearn for a little buddy to keep on my desk. I think this might be a sign.
Obviously I can't keep a goldfish in anything like this, since I have no idea if I can mount an aerator on the rounded rim easily.

So to the point: is this tank big enough?
>> Adam
If you properly sanitize and set up the bowl, it should be suitable as a temporary home for a small, durable fish. Try looking for zebra danios; they're tiny, durable, speedy, and sociable.
>> Anonymous
>>204930
only temporary? Are there fishes that I can keep in here long-term?
>> AnonymousPrime !/RDa1B/y1o
Honestly, I wouldn't even bother with it.

If you want to get back into fish keeping, buy a real tank with a good filter to keep your fish healthy and happy.
>> Adam
With a tank like that, it would be a challenge to maintain its aerators filters. With that in mind, its inhabitants, regardless of durability or species, will have trouble living comfortably. As stated before, you'd need something more complex to house a long-term community.
>> Anonymous
>>204942
>community
I think I may not have been clear, I don't intend to keep more than one or possibly two fish in here.
>> le/x/bian
Bigger than your head? It should definitely be fine for a betta, so long as you do frequent water changes.
>> AnonymousPrime !/RDa1B/y1o
>>204951
Doesn't matter the number of fish.

You should definitely get a regular tank with a filter.

In that glass bowl, a fish will swim it's own shit, not to mention that cleaning it every few days will stress the living crap out of that fish.

Don't be so damn lazy.
>> AnonymousPrime !/RDa1B/y1o
You know what you could do? I just thought of this, should've mentioned it in my previous post.

At any petstore, they have those little 1-2 gallon tanks that come with a filter and light. The tanks have nice rounded corners. They're primarily made for small salt water coral setups with some shrimp but you could always get one of those if you're planning on getting a single small fish. I saw some today at a Petsupermarket for about 40 bucks, which I think is worth it for all the shit it brings.
>> Anonymous
>>204979
NO.
Most 1 or 2 gallon "complete setups" suck miserably. They all have under-gravel filters that don't do shiat, one that I looked at didn't even come with filter media, as it was designed that way (wtf?). The filter actually just circulated water without cleaning anything. I bought one as a present for my girlfriend and promptly returned it after I realized this fact. The Eclipse System 3 is the best nano tank for your buck, and there is also a smaller, harder to find 2 gallon version called the "Explorer".

Fish should never be kept in anything without a filter (shrimp are really the only option), and even with a filter 1.5 gallons and under will only hold one or two VERY tiny fish and/or a shrimp or two and some snails (fish would be bumblebee goby, pygmy corydoras, anything under 1 inch in length. A google search for "nano tank fish" will give you a nice list). You need something at least 2 gallons for a betta. I would recommend buying a 2.5 gallon tank and some gravel from Petco or Petsmart if you're on a budget. If you want you could throw in a cheap fluorescent desk lamp from Home Depot for lighting. If you have the money I would recommend buying an Eclipse System. Freshwater fish can be a big initial investment, but after that you will spend virtually nothing maintaining them. Oh, and make sure you do 20-30% water changes every week or so.
>> Anonymous
>>204920
>>205010
Adding on to my first post, the Eclipse tanks have power filters and a fluorescent tube built into the hood. I'm not sure how much they cost, they should be around $50 for the smaller ones.

If you get a 2.5 gallon and decide to customize everything yourself, the Red Sea nano filter is an excellent hang-on-back filter for small tanks, and I have had great success with it. It's only about $12 too.

You will need a heater for a betta unless you put it in a room with a constant temp of about 75 degrees. The reason most bettas don't live long is that people don't realize they need tropical temps. You can get cheap heaters at Walmart for under 10 bucks.

2.5 gallon tank: $12
Filter: $12
Gravel: $5
Heater: $8
TOTAL: $37

This will be extremely efficient and probably perfect for a betta. For another 20 bucks you could get a desk lamp from Home Depot as I mentioned before.

One final note (I hope): you can never have a tank that is "too big" or "overkill". Some experienced fish owners keep their bettas in ten gallon tanks.
>> Anonymous
I had a two gallon tank with a filter for my beta (not undergravel filter). I ended up having to turn the filter off and just take it out because it was TOO strong for him. He kept getting sucked against it and then before I could help him he'd wrench himself away, which would tear his fins to tatters, so I ended up just turning it off and doing regular water changes instead.
>> Anonymous
Why not try a fighting fish? Of course you should keep it alone.
>> Anonymous
>>205115
... I don't know what to say to this. I really don't.
>> Puddin
Bettas are perfectly suited for bowls like that, I have a bowl just like the one in your pic, OP, and keep a betta in there just fine.

I clean it about once every two weeks, which is more than enough for a single fish in that size of bowl. No, you don't need a filter or anything else for a single betta.

So yes, go with a single betta. They're pretty hardy, but good luck with it anyway : )
>> Anonymous
im really worried now. i bought my boy a beta fish when i went away to college so he would have something to take care of, and he keeps him in a bowl a bit bigger than that and cleans his water 1-2 weeks. feeds him every 2 days and we have a sterilized plastic plant and some rocks to keep him company. no heater, no filter. will he be ok for a couple weeks before i have the cash to get him a heater and filter?

(also does anyone else remember the plant/beta combos that housewives kept on tables? It was horrible, i don't know what did it but something in the plants killed the fish :( )
>> Anonymous
>>205508
It'll be fine. If you really want to spoil it/do it completely right, yeah, you'd get him a nice tank with a heater and a filter, but he doesn't really need it. I have my own in a large vase with a dumb cane growing out of it. He appreciates swimming among the roots, and when I want to feed him/change the water, I just pull the plant out. If you're worried, maybe you should try something like that?
>> Anonymous
>>205508
Also, it wasn't the plants (usually bamboo or peace lily) that killed the bettas in those setups. The issue was that retailers claimed that the setup was completely maintenance free. They said the betta would eat the plant roots and the plant would keep the water clean. Unfortunately, bettas would only be seen nibbling on the roots when nearing starvation, and although plants do clean water to some extent, they won't replace water changes.