Reasons You Shouldn’t Keep Fish in Round Bowls

The image of goldfish swimming in a fishbowl is very cinematic. In the 1996 film One Fine Day, starring Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney, a bowl with three fancy goldfish is used various times to advance the plot or provide a visual gag. In the acclaimed television series Mr. Robot, the main character hears a lonely male Siamese fighting fish named QWERTY talking to him during psychotic episodes. In most cases, these movie fishbowls lack aeration and filtration systems. What viewers don’t realize is that these fish are normally kept in large tanks and placed in small bowls only for a few hours during filming. If you’re thinking it’s best to keep fish in a bowl in your own home, there are several reasons to consider otherwise.

Fishbowls Are Too Small

Many people believe keeping a tiny tropical fish in a small bowl is aesthetically appealing, which is why they appear in films. However, the reality of small fishbowls makes them unappealing for various reasons. Let’s start with their size: in general, small tanks require more frequent cleaning and water changes because fish waste and detritus don’t have enough water volume to dissolve. Unless you’re able to clean and perform a partial water change on a daily basis, you should steer clear of fishbowls. This is the reason beginner aquarists should start with 20-gallon tanks. The largest fishbowl can only hold about three gallons of water, and this isn’t sufficient to handle the bioload generated by a single goldfish on a daily basis.

You Can’t Add Filtration, Aeration, and Water Temperature Control

Three-gallon fishbowls are too small to equip with fish tank supplies such as filter media, air pumps, thermostats, and lighting. Most aquarium equipment and accessories are made for traditional tanks, which means you would have a difficult time trying to find and fit items for a round fishbowl. There are filters available for bowls, but they look bad and don’t work very efficiently.

Round-Shaped Bowls Don’t Promote Oxygenation

Since water in fishbowls tends to evaporate quickly, it’s natural for fish keepers to fill them up as high as possible. This would seemingly give fish more water to swim in, but it can actually end up restricting oxygen levels. The shape of the bowl is to blame in this regard because the glass tapers at the top and toward the center, thus reducing the water surface area, which in turn fails to promote the gaseous exchange needed to produce oxygen molecules. Think about the shape of a pond, which features a surface area larger than the bottom. At the very least, the water surface should measure about the same as the substrate area.

Bowls Don’t Approximate Natural Habitats

Tropical fish are used to ecosystems where they can swim up, down, and across. Some species also need places to hide. The shape of a fishbowl will feel very strange and uncomfortable to just about all species. A rectangular tank with a rocky substrate, plants, and decorations that can serve as hiding places is a much better approximation of a natural habitat.

Once you’ve decided on the right aquarium for your home, you’ll also need to purchase several supplies to properly maintain the tank. Whether you need aquarium monitors, beneficial bacteria, LED lighting, filtration, or any other aquarium supply, you can find what you’re looking for at Aquatic Warehouse. Stop by our store in Kearny Mesa, order your supplies from our website, or give us a call today at 858-467-9297.