Class Fish-pet?

[ammer]

My class is trying to talk my teacher into getting a class pet, and the only thing she didnt immediately turn down was a fish. I'm considering buying a smallish tank, 5 gal. or less, and I have to have a heater because my school becomes absolutely freezing. However, I'm not sure as to whether or not I should buy a small filter.

I know Bettas can do pretty okay without a filter, but are there any other fish that can do alright in that sort of condition, or should I just go about getting a filter? I'll just stick with freshwater fish, although I may just stick with a Goldfish because of how hardy [and easily replaceable] they are.

Does anybody have some fun suggestions for what kind of fish I could get? There would probably be only 1, maybe 3 depending on what size I decide to buy [its going to be fairly cheap], and we're a photography class.

 

[cuticom]

Goldfish need waaay more then a 5g tank. Probably for long term I'd go with at least a 20g minimum for one or bigger.

Definitely go with a filter, it makes it all much easier and If you get a 5g a Betta's a good option, though you can only have one. A couple of male guppies might also be appropriate as am alternative as well.

 

[ammer]

Goldfish need waaay more then a 5g tank. Probably for long term I'd go with at least a 20g minimum for one or bigger.

Definitely go with a filter, it makes it all much easier and If you get a 5g a Betta's a good option, though you can only have one. A couple of male guppies might also be appropriate as am alternative as well.

Well thank you very much. I figured I'd just stick with a Betta [ of course only one male] and keep with that. I'd really never want to skimp on taking good care of fishy friends, but I dont want to spend lots of money on fishkeeping in class.

 

[vancouver]

You can get small filters too for around $10

 

[Invader Xan]

Rena do a very nice 10 gallon 'kids' aquarium. Doesn't take up much space either. For a little extra cost it also comes with a heater and a mini cartridge filter (if you load that with purigen, it's more than sufficient). I use one to keep my shrimp. It's quite a nice little setup.

Just thought I'd share.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

check out Paradise Fish; they're a distant relative of the betta. they are incredibly hardy, quite colorful (on the right diet), comfortable from 50F to 80F and don't need-need a filter. paradise fish are, however, intensely territorial and really can't be kept with tankmates in anything under 20g.