housing in 2 gal aquarium

[wolfy-hound]

Yeah, there are no bonsai kittens.

People do believe the fish in small tanks will stay small thing. Mainly because at some point the filters don't keep up with the fish, and they stop growing because the fish is unhealthy. Then the fish ends up dying. But hey.. it didn't outgrow the tank! Stupid people hurt my brain.

People will believe what is convienant to them. So they'll buy the fishbowl and goldfish, because they don't WANT to have to mess with a 50 gallon aquarium with filters and such. It's so much easier to think "Oh.. just a bowl" and not bother to find out what the fish actually needs.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Actually, the issue is low oxygen availability, which causes stunted growth and eventual death. Even the best filter won't solve that.

You need a certain amount of surface area to oxygenate the water. Bigger fish need more surface area.

[Oxylepy]

You need a certain amount of surface area to oxygenate the water. Bigger fish need more surface area.

Do you mean surface area or volume? Filters are supposed to oxygenate the water, and so are those bubblers and how much oxygen the fish gets depends on the volume and oxygen content of the water. With adequate filters/bubblers then the water will have the right percentage of oxygen in it, without the need for a high surface area on the top (the only direction that is exposed to air). However low volume means the fish wont really be able to do ram ventilation and buccal pumping will deplete the oxygen content of the water faster.

[theartofsolitude]

its always interesting to read responses from gurus! thanks so much!