Goldfish Bowls

[duanes]

Where I used to live along the shores of Lake Michigan, much of the near shore habitat has been taken over by invasive species, (Gobys and mussels) which have destroyed many of the native fish populations. In Lake Michigan this has been caused by ships emptying ballast water taken in, in Asian waters.
The reason bans need to be in place, is all it takes is 1 or 2 irresponsible aquarists to release something they don't have the stomach to give away, or eat if it gets too big or mean for their tank and the environment takes the hit.
Texas and South Africa are prime places where many invasive species can easily take over due to climate.

 

[PYRU]

Where I used to live along the shores of Lake Michigan, much of the near shore habitat has been taken over by invasive species, (Gobys and mussels) which have destroyed many of the native fish populations. In Lake Michigan this has been caused by ships emptying ballast water taken in, in Asian waters.
The reason bans need to be in place, is all it takes is 1 or 2 irresponsible aquarists to release something they don't have the stomach to give away, or eat if it gets too big or mean for their tank and the environment takes the hit.
Texas and South Africa are prime places where many invasive species can easily take over due to climate.

I agree. Bans need to be in place. I would love to keep piranha, but I'll do without for the good of all. Rainbow snakeheads are another that i would love to have. There's just too many irresponsible people out there. My trips to Florida have been a huge eye opener. You shouldn't be catching huge clown knifes in the southeast US. I'm sick of people releasing alligators as well. I have a cranwelli horned frog that I found in my drive way early one morning. It may not seem like a huge problem, but here in the southeast it's very apparent how bad it is.

 

[PYRU]

Honestly my view on fish bowls is a little different. I see it as natural selection in a captive setting. It's irresponsible I agree, but its not the bowls that are the problem. It's pure ignorance. You have all the information in the world at your fingertip, but most people are too lazy to do research before they buy something.

Honestly what's the difference in a fish bowl vs an unseeded filter/ no water changes? We all need to quit giving people a crutch. If you put an animal in unfit conditions that's your fault not some manufacturer.

 

[ehh]

I agree. Bans need to be in place. I would love to keep piranha, but I'll do without for the good of all. Rainbow snakeheads are another that i would love to have. There's just too many irresponsible people out there. My trips to Florida have been a huge eye opener. You shouldn't be catching huge clown knifes in the southeast US. I'm sick of people releasing alligators as well. I have a cranwelli horned frog that I found in my drive way early one morning. It may not seem like a huge problem, but here in the southeast it's very apparent how bad it is.

Agreed. There is a post in the reptile forum about people releasing alligators or crocs into the wild in Minnesota or somewhere up north.
Unfortunately, is it more common to be an irresponsible than responsible animal owner.

 

[Oddball]

I don't think bowls should be banned. However, selling small bowls to house fish should be discouraged. Bowls have a niche in society as vessels for decorative display (without fish).



And, there are "Bowlers" who are serious about their craft. I wouldn't want to deny them because Big Brother says they're wrong for the wrong reason. Case in point, here are a couple of plumbed 100 gallon+ bowls. I would hesitate to call this keeper cruel in his choice of housing.

 

[ehh]

I don't think bowls should be banned. However, selling small bowls to house fish should be discouraged. Bowls have a niche in society as vessels for decorative display (without fish).

View attachment 1197767

And, there are "Bowlers" who are serious about their craft. I wouldn't want to deny them because Big Brother says they're wrong for the wrong reason. Case in point, here are a couple of plumbed 100 gallon+ bowls. I would hesitate to call this keeper cruel in his choice of housing.

View attachment 1197766

Haha. I thought the second bowl was on a counter top until I noticed the dog laying by it.

 

[Hendre]

Well said. I think there should be a clamp on retailers selling large fish for small tanks. Bowls are just generally small and a blanket ban is unfair

 

[Angelphish]

Take the Puffer corps approach, and just try to get your lfs to stop selling bowls.

 

[skjl47]

It's irresponsible I agree, but its not the bowls that are the problem. It's pure ignorance.

Hello; Very good point. Banning things like bowls (or guns, or whatever) is going after an inanimate object that can not take any action of it's own.

The behavior of people should be addressed. That said, do not expect too much. Those who house fish in small bowls because they are not aware of the problems might just be convinced. I fully expect many to disregard such well intentioned advice.

To the OP, You may accomplish more by creating a good looking poster, not too big, of decent quality materials and asking fish shops to allow it to be placed in their shops.

I have no problem with getting people to stop using small bowls for fish. I do not like your get "big brother" to do the leg work for you approach.

 

[Deadliestviper7]

I think the poster is the best suggestion so far