Fish in a Bowl

[myndisue]

Ok please do not crucify me for my ignorance. I am really wanting to learn how best to handle this situation:
My six-year-old is asking Santa for a fish for Christmas. My landlord will not allow us to have a large tank, but said we could have a fish bowl. I own one that I think is about a gallon and we had goldfish many years ago that died within the first 10 days. I am assuming these fish died because of over-feeding and no bubbler/filter. My thought is to purchase a very small filter/bubbler for my current fish bowl. I have spent the past few hours researching what type of fish can be kept in a bowl, but I would like opinions from people who are more experienced than me. We are planning to buy a house in the next year so the fish would only be in the bowl until we get settled and can buy a bigger tank (and maybe some friends). One site I read said guppies were okay in a bowl, but suggests I put 3-5 guppies in the bowl since they are a schooling fish. I am afraid 3 guppies might be too many for such a small bowl. Any suggestions? Do I break a young boys heart for one more year until we can get a bigger tank?

 

[chenning]

If you can find a 2 gal- 3gal fish bowl you could do a Male Betta, and Mystry Snail. You could also just get 6 Red Cherry Shrimp-Not Ghost Shrimp- if you don't mind purchasing $10 worth og java moss for the bottom. A small sponge filter with air stone and pump, java moss and some gravel with at least 1-2 golfball size rocks.

You can find all the material less fish and plants at Ken's Fish, Pet Solutions, That Fish Place. You might even be able to get a good deal on shrimp, notice I'm recommending the shrimp over a betta, from members here if you post in the classifieds as wanted. You can even ask for cull shrimp as they won't win any shows but you really won't know the difference.

Hope this helps. P.M. me if you have questions.

 

[Finster]

You can get something like this http://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcos...inibow-led-desktop-fish-aquarium-kit-in-black At 2 1/2 gallons I don't think anyone would really consider it more than a fish bowl. Bettas or guppies would require a heater. You could probably put 4 or 5 white cloud mountain minnows in one of these.

 

[OrionGirl]

I agree with shrimp or white clouds. Without a heater, the betta will be unhappy unless you keep your house around 78. Guppies are very small, and would be ok in an unheated bowl. Do NOT get females, since you will end up with too many in short order. Plan to do regular water changes, and having some light for plants would be good.

 

[dougall]

I would third the idea for Shrimp, and slightly disagree with whiteclouds because you cannot support too many of them.

If you do want fish, maybe something like the Heteranda Formosa (Least Killie) might be a good option.