Fish bowls are widely considered a poor choice for keeping pet fish due to numerous welfare and health concerns. We have listed them down for all of you who want to set up an aquarium at home but are considering fish bowl as an option:
Inadequate Space and Swimming Area
Fish require space to swim and exhibit natural behaviors, but bowls are typically too small and restrict movement. Even small species like bettas and goldfish can quickly outgrow the available room, leading to stress, stunted growth, and reduced quality of life.
Poor Oxygenation and Water Quality
Bowls have a limited water surface area relative to volume, which drastically reduces oxygen exchange. This can result in dangerously low oxygen levels, especially when bowls are filled to the top. Additionally, most bowls lack proper filtration, causing harmful waste (like ammonia) to build up quickly and making it difficult to maintain a safe environment for fish.
Improper Filtration and Temperature Control
Standard filtration and heating equipment usually do not fit in bowls, leading to accumulating toxins and unstable water temperatures. Fluctuations in temperature or spikes in waste products can severely harm fish health or even be fatal.
Stressful and Unnatural Environment
The curved walls of a bowl can distort vision and force fish to swim in circles, which is disorienting and increases stress. Bowls typically lack hiding places or quiet spots, offering fish no refuge from light or disturbances.
Maintenance Difficulties
Contrary to popular belief, smaller containers like bowls are harder to keep clean, as toxins build up faster and require more frequent water changes to avoid dangerous conditions. The lack of beneficial bacteria, which help break down toxins, further exacerbates this issue.
For these reasons, experts universally recommend aquariums with proper filtration and sufficient space over fish bowls for any fish species
