Quote:
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Originally Posted by jujueye
Compare a square fish tank to a bowl, both containing a gallon of water, then examine the top surface of the water which is exposed to outside air. The square tank obviously would have more surface area available for oxidation compared to the top of the spherical bowl.
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That's right- the amount of water in contact with the air is much too small, especially for goldfish who are coldwater fish (these require more water anyway as less oxygen can be held in cool water) and produce lots of ammonia that builds up in the water. Kept in proper tanks they tend to live much longer- 20-40 years is perfectly normal.
I don't think it should be a crime as people buy bowls out of ignorance or cheapness rather than deliberate animal abuse, but I do think they should perhaps stop the things being manufactured in the first place. Then if people want a fish hopefully the only option at most shops will be a small tank instead. It's not as if they're ridiculously expensive, but when the average person who knows nothing about fish has a choice between a cheap tank and a cheap bowl, they'll often pick the bowl if they're being sold as apparantly acceptable pet housing.