electro^plankton

I will say to all those considering this bowl or any bowl like it to never keep goldfish in them. Goldfish actually require a lot of space. We've been taught early on that these fish can survive in these bowls but the reality is we're lucky to see them last more than a month. Goldfish can live up to almost 40 years if kept in at least a 10 gallon tank.

If you don't want the up keep of a tank with air pumps and filtration, leave goldfish alone. For a bowl like this, try bettas. Male bettas are more brightly colored and when properly cared for will live 5-6 years. Here are a few tips.

• Let tap water sit out for 2 days at room temperature before filling the bowl. Then add a a few drops of Stress Coat or some other type of water treatment.
• Only fill the bowl to about 80% capacity. Bettas can breathe in low oxygenated environments but help them out by giving them the greatest surface area. That means the water level should meet the widest diameter of the bowl.
• Bettas can jump up to 3 inches so keeping the water level well below the top of the bowl also keeps them from committing suicide. Why they jump, I have no idea, but they are one of the few fish that can breathe both water and air.
• Keep ornamental decoration to a minimum. A few smooth rounded pebbles, a smooth rock with a hole in it is all you need.
• Only keep one betta to each bowl. They will fight otherwise.
• They can live off store bought fish flakes but also love live brine shrimp and blood worms. Feed them two or three flakes twice a day.
• Buy a turkey baster to suck up waste and uneaten food. This is the easiest way to keep the bowl clean.
• Change out 35% of the water with clean treated water once a week.
• Always greet your betta everyday. They are one of the few fish that can recognize their owner (the one that feeds them) and love the attention.