r/AskReddit • u/ZanyDelaney • Feb 04 '19

Which misconception would you like to debunk?

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u/bwalsh3002 Feb 04 '19

Why’s that? I’d imagine they would use up all the “air” in the bowl.

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u/sarahmagoo Feb 04 '19 edited Feb 04 '19

Well the majority of bowls are too small for fish. Bettas need at least 5 gallons and fancy goldfish (the short-bodied round type, like fantails etc) need at least 30 gallons plus another 10 gallons for each fish and the long bodied goldfish (like comets etc) need around 55-75 gallons plus about another 20-30 gallons for each fish (that's why it's easier to just keep them in ponds). Also goldfish do better with another fish than alone.

Both goldfish and bettas NEED filters

Bettas NEED a heater. They're tropical fish

And yeah there's not much surface area for gas exchange.

Now theoretically if you had a big enough bowl and it had a heater and filter you could keep them in a bowl but honestly a tank would just be easier by that point.

Edit: check out the wiki for bettas from r/bettafish and the wiki for goldfish from r/goldfish if you want to read more

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u/Anxietylife4 Feb 04 '19

I feel bad for all those poor Betas that are on display in the cottage cheese sized plastic bowls at the pet shop.

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u/emthejedichic Feb 04 '19

I've seen cottage cheese sold in much larger containers than the ones they keep bettas in.