Amphibian or Fish and what kind?

[Jerica]

I'm going to college right now and really miss having a pet in my room. In the dorms we are only allowed animals living pretty much in water (ie. nothing furry) I would have to find out for sure if I can have an amphibian, but know I can have fish. I prefer something other than a fish, but don't know if I can find the right amphibian. I'm looking for something that can be in at the very biggest a 5 gallon tank, I don't have a whole lot of room and will have to take it home over breaks. I really don't want it to have to be in water all the time like a fish, if on the ride home it could be on dry land but be misted that would work best. I don't want it to get very big (especially trying to keep it in a 5 gallone tank). I also don't need a long lived amphibian, I will mostly like to have him for a pet while in college, I have another year to go, and of course will keep him even after college for his whole life, but don't think I want an amphibian or fish for 10 or 20 years, but if the only ones that I can get now live that long, I will commit to that. I'd like to be able to handle him a little (why I don't necessarily want a fish). I know most amphibians can't be handled a whole lot.

If I can have a reptile (which won't be in water much i know) I don't know what to pick that will stay small enough for a 5 gallon tank. Can anoles be handled easily as I had some long ago, but don't remember. So my biggest question is would a fish be a better idea for this situation? I know some are pretty long lived though and require a more complex set up. So if I got an amphibian or reptile (can't have snakes in dorms, plus wouldn't stay small enough) what should I get if it has to be in a 5 gallon tank? I love bearded dragons, but I know he couldn't live in a small tank like that. What options do I have or should I forget it? I'd like to be able to hold it and something that isn't going to jump away. I also don't have a large amount of money. What would the life spans be of any reptiles or amphibians (or fish too) you would suggest?

[Jerica]

I hope I didn't come off as not caring about these critters, I do, I just am being resonable thinking I find it less interesting to keep an amphibian or reptile than a furry animal, but by no means do I care less about them living, if I can find a critter I can handle I could enjoy it for that, that's why I don't think a fish would be fun to have for 10 or so years. I am hoping for a critter I can tame down to hold for at least some of the time, but I do know amphibians can't be held a whole lot. If a little guy could sit with me while I do homework or something that'd be cool. How quickly do bearded dragons grow, like in a year would they need something bigger than a 10 gallon tank? I know eventually they would. Are there lizards or amphibians (preferably not a frog) that stays little? I could possibly eventually fit a 10 gallon tank here in the dorm room. Are there any itty bitty, calm lizards or amphibians? Please help me, I hope I don't come off as a bad owner or anything, I'm just not very knowledeable about these guys, that's why I'm asking, googling it and stuff doesn't work to find all the different kinds of these guys. At least can someone tell me if its reasonable to expect any of these guys to stay in a 5 gallon tank? Certainly I will fall in love with these guys once I have them, some I already love, but are too big for right now. If the little guy lives 20 years that would be ok if I can at least find out what he needs and how big he'll get etc. I just don't want turtles, frogs, or salamanders that get big, I'm thinking about newts, they are cute and small, but I can't handle them a whole lot. Please ideas?

[Jerica]

Well I guess this will have to go for future referance, I just found out we can only have fish and strictly just fish. So I guess suggest away, anything that can be in a 10 gallon tank, I don't want a huge guy. I already have two dogs, two chinchillas, and will be eventually after college getting a southern flying squirrel, I am not sure I will still get an amphbian or reptile, but give me ideas on which ones can be in a 10 gallon tank. I'd appreciate it. Maybe its for the better I don't ge one now. I am committed to long living animals such as dogs, chins and SFS's which all can live 15 years or more. Just don't want something that's going to live longer than me and like I said stick to pretty much lizards and now maybe I'll stop with the amphbians and stick with the lizards which can be handled more, I really like skinks, bearded dragons and am open to all the other suggestions, I prefer nothing that eats mice or other cute cuddly critters (no snakes I like snakes, just don't want to have to feed mice) I know how they can be fed dead mice, but I just don't want to feed that at all. So lizards that can be in a 10 gallon tank. Thanks.

[Bettachris]

since fish only, it is important to ask your self, do you have the time, once a week to change the water?

The only fish i would add to the ten gallon, is a betta. Only one. All you would really need is an small internal filter, and heater.

The betta should only live about 1-2 years after you buy it, depending on the age when you buy it.

Here is an article i wrote about bettas:
http://www.freewebs.com/bettachris_fish/aquaticarticles.htm

[Jerica]

If I keep a fish at all I'd like to have no more than a 5 gallon in my dorm room. Would this still need a filter? What about a 1 gallon? I for sure would need a small heater as we aircondition our rooom and it gets to about 70 only. I definatly have time for a fish and I have had fish before. I also do really like bettas and have considered getting one. My only issue is when I go home for breaks transporting a fish is more difficult because they have to be in water all the time and I will be having my dogs with me too. I guess I could save the cup I buy him in and transport in that and just bring along the empty tank and set it up when I get home. That's not too difficult. Will this stress him too much if I bring him on a 2 hour trip, its normally only once a month I go home if that. Then I'm home anywhere from 4 days - about a month depending on the break from school. So will he be ok being moved around and everything? I would like to have some pet in the dorms and since fish are the only option I think a betta would be best. Thanks for the info, I know you are an expert when it comes to fish.

[Bettachris]

they can handle long trips, when i import my bettas from overseas, they are in little bags with less than 2oz of water, they also live in those conditions for about 1 week without eatting.

point is they can handle alot, just make sure not to put him in shock.

and 5 gallons is enough.

you really dont need a filter but make sure those weekly water changes are done as poor water quality can lead to illness.

[Jerica]

I think I might get a betta, i have some rocks for the bottom at home and a 1gallon little tank, unless you think he'd do better in a 5 gallon? I can definatly do the weekly water changes. My brother has some left over stress coat and a heater from when he had fish so I can use that. I'll have to get some good betta food as all he had was tropical fish flakes, he does also have some freeze dried baby brine shrimp that I'll give every once in awhile. I read on your website that its a good idea to let a betta see him self in the mirror so he'll get exercise and I can easily do that as right above my dresser is a mirror, he'll probably be sitting on my dresser and I'll keep something between his tank and the mirror except for when he gets his exercise. I think it will be real easy to set everything up and I don't even have to buy much. I'll have to wait and figure out when I can get him (or her, just didn't want to keep saying him/her all through this) I have to make sure I have the money and everything. Is it safe for them to not eat for a whole 3 day weekend? I just thought if I'm gone for a weekend would he be safe not eating if some handle a week? I'd never leave him for a whole week, but just a weekend would be ok for him, just so long as it wasn't often? They do also have those things you put in the water that supposedly provide food for a week, they dissolve or something, have you used those, could they work well?

[Bettachris]

weekend feeders aren't good for bowls or tanks with out filters, b/c it makes the water quality really poor really fast.

Believe it or not, most fishes shouldn't have food everyday, and can live for alittle over 1.5 weeks without eatting.

For betta feeding i would get hikari betta bio-gold. this is a good staple food. For a treat once a week, freezed dried blood worms is good, but anything freezed dried isn't good for an everyday food.