Taking a Goldfish to uni.

Any reason why not?

I've had them before in a typical goldfish bowl, however i was told these are bad because of the little surface area of the water and the fish doesn't get enough oxygen or something? Is this true?

Obviously i won't be getting anything fancy, like a tropical heater or whatever just a nice decent sized bowl with small plants in it.

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Reply 1

kayzy

i personally wouldn't bother getting any goldfish as they will probably end up dying and there are a lot better things to spend your money on

if you really want them then check with your halls or whatever if you're allowed them otherwise you will have to hide them everytime a cleaner or maintenance person etc comes in the room which is hassle, also they will probably smell a bit :s-smilie:

Reply 2

Arianwen

Most university accommodation states that any kind of pets are not allowed, unfortunately. If you're living in a flat/house off-campus, though, fish are much more likely to be accepted. :smile:

Reply 3

Red_Sky

I'm not trying to be rude. But seriously...what's the point??! (And you won't be allowed if you are living in university accommodation)

Reply 4

Echolife

I'd be worried what would end up in there after mates had had a few drinks. :biggrin:

Reply 5

RedRiotRoses

Echolife

I'd be worried what would end up in there after mates had had a few drinks. :biggrin:

I was going to say that!

...I've found some...interesting things in my brothers after him and his mates have had a bender.

Reply 6

Phantom Phoenix

Don't, don't, don't use a bowl. You'll kill the fish. It needs 10 gallons minimum, 15 after a year or so, so you probably won't have room for it anyway even if the uni did allow you, which it probably won't.

Yes, bowls are terrible. No one who knows anything about goldfish would touch one with a ten-foot bargepole. Bowls causes the buildup of toxins in the water, reduced oxygen, stress and with it increased susceptability to disease, and early death. Please don't ever keep a goldfish in a bowl.

Kayzy...goldfish live 20 years under the right conditions, and often much more. If your goldfish died after a couple of years, it's because you killed them. Sorry to be blunt, but it ****s me right off when people don't bother to read up on taking care of goldfish. Most people think they're doing well when their goldfish last three or four years, which is frankly ridiculous.

Reply 7

dreadnaut

Guard it well.

Id imagine it would become the target of drunken abuse.

I have a gold fish that is older than my bro, who is now 9 lol.

Reply 8

crazy_guy

you say that but my friend had a bowl with 2 gold fish which lived for 10 years. Personally, i like a proper tank for mine with a pump and purifier, but a bowl is ok i suppose

Reply 9

Phantom Phoenix

crazy_guy

you say that but my friend had a bowl with 2 gold fish which lived for 10 years. Personally, i like a proper tank for mine with a pump and purifier, but a bowl is ok i suppose

They're supposed to live twenty at the very least, though. Similarly my family kept a goldfish in a 5-gallon tank (not bowl) for 13 years, but the odd exception doesn't deny the general trend which is that goldfish in bowls live shorter and less healthy lives than those which are cared for properly. The fish you talk about probably died of stunting in the end...when kept in a too-small bowl, the fish stops growing externally but the internal organs do not. Eventually the internal organs become so compressed that the fish dies...it's a horrible thing, made worse by the fact that many well-meaning but ignorant fishkeepers just don't realise the harm they're causing.

Reply 10

crazy_guy

anyway why bother with the hassle when your at uni?

Reply 11

crazy_guy

No I believe they died becasue their cat got to them, another reason to have a tank

Reply 12

Phantom Phoenix

crazy_guy

No I believe they died becasue their cat got to them, another reason to have a tank

Hah, fair enough :p:

Tanks are definitely better, and not just because of the lid :yes:

Reply 13

nirvathema

Did no one else find this the cutest thread title?

Reply 14

Usman938

Someone would contaminate the bowl with Sambuca and get the fish absoloutely wasted.

Reply 15

filastini

Goldfish have feelings too

Reply 16

Phantom Phoenix

farhan

Goldfish have feelings too

Damn right :yep:

Reply 17

Callipygian

We had a goldfish that lived for ages , like 17 years or something silly it was kept in a massive tank, and the only reason it died is because we got a new one to be its friend and it gave it a desiese :frown:

Reply 18

maxi321

if ur getting a little bowl then the fish will almost certainly die due to lack of oxygen and word of warning drunk students don't pity little gold fish.

Reply 19

username93972

We have three fish and they were only remotely interesting when they were fighting for oxygen when the tank was covering the cable, restricting the oxygen or whatever. The two of the same colour teamed up against the other, it was awesome. Aside from that... they're just there. Pointless creatures, don't see why you'd want to burden yourself.

(personal opinion, don't moan)