One of the major obstacles for students when moving to campus is leaving family pets behind.  

Campus Housing clearly states pets are not welcome in residence halls.  

Of course, guide dogs are permitted for students with disabilities, but for the majority of students, the only recourse for an on-campus pet is fish.  

Fish make surprisingly great pets, especially for the average student juggling a full course load, extracurricular activities and a job.

Except for daily feedings and the occasional tank cleaning, fish require very little attention and fit easily into an overcrowded dorm room.  

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA, gives suggestions for first time fish owners and details the basic requirements for most species of fish.    

“Because they’re easiest to care for, fish who live in cold water are recommended for first-timers. You will not need a heater in your tank, as you would with tropical fish.”

Depending on the species, the tank should be between five and twenty gallons (twenty gallons being the maximum allowed per room by the University’s Housing Department).  

Some fish species, like guppies and Beta fish, even do well in small bowls or jars.  

A light source is also required for most fish, either from natural sunlight or a florescent bulb secured over the tank opening.  

Light provides the needed simulation of day and night for a fish as well as making viewing a lot easier for those outside looking in.

Some fish require only these items to flourish in their new environment.  

However, to make your companion more comfortable, a few more pieces of equipment might be a good investment.  

Bubblers help push oxygen into the water and can be found at any pet store for a reasonable price.   Heaters maintain a constant water temperature, which can become very important if you choose a tropical variety of fish.  

Water filters are useful if you do not trust yourself to change the aquarium water regularly, removing waste to decrease the amount of toxic ammonia in the water.  

Although not required, aquarium accessories make tank life more interesting for the fish and more visually stimulating to its owner.  

Lining the bottom of the tank with gravel adds color and creates a great support for any aquatic plants you wish to add.

Fish also appreciate hiding places; this could be from clay figurines available at most pet supply stores or from the leaves and branches of an aquatic plant.  

  For the price conscious shopper, Wal-Mart has the best prices for fish and aquarium accessories.  

However, stores like PetSmart and Petco will have trained professionals to answer questions and help in the selection of the right fish for you.  

But if you are feeling particularly adventurous in your fish foray, the Internet fish market has expanded greatly in the past few years.  

Amateur fish suppliers are turning to eBay and Craigslist, selling exotic varieties for cheap.  

Not only fish, but snails, shrimp and aquatic plants, ship easily through the mail.  

Junior Jenni Chu, an economics and business management double major, has found a great way to encourage the residents of third floor Sullivan to recycle using pet fish.  

Working with two of Sullivan’s RAs as the SVA on hall, Chu created this hall bonding activity.   “We are going to gather around 25 residents and go to PetSmart so that each resident can choose their own fish. We will then have people from the sustainability center on campus talk to the hall about recycling.”  

As part of the program, new fish owners will create an aquarium from recycled materials.  

“The best materials I use for my fish are the big containers for pretzels and animal crackers.   You can also use two liter soda bottles by cutting off the top and adding gravel to the bottom.”

Chu encourages new fish owners to stick with beta fish.  

“Betas don’t need an air filtration system and are really easy to take care of.   Compared to other fish, they adapt better to smaller environments and prefer living alone.”     

“Having a pet reduces your stress and it’s cool that we get to share this together as a hall,” Chu added. “I definitely recommend having fish in dorms.”