GLASS FISH BOWLS – WHY YOU SHOULDN’T USE THEM

A glass bowl with a fish is a sad sight, which can be seen not only in many films, but also in homes. What’s so disturbing about it? Although it may seem visually appealing, in reality it doesn’t really contribute to the well-being of its inhabitants. Why?

Why you shouldn’t use a glass bowl?

It would seem that a fish in a glass bowl is a classic, and since this view is so deeply rooted in human consciousness, it cannot be wrong. And yet, a round aquarium is no place for living creatures unless it has 45 litres. Most often customers buy small spheres with a capacity of 5-13 litres, which are claustrophobic even for less demanding species.

How do the curved walls of such an “aquarium” affect the fish? The lack of flat glass literally makes it impossible to find a quiet spot, which is a desirable place for timid species. What is more, this shape of the tank makes the ratio of water surface to water volume unfavourable, which in practice makes it difficult for oxygen to dissolve. In addition, the round shape somehow forces the fish to swim in circles, and this in turn can affect their mood and behaviour.

Another thing is that the round glass surface acts as a lens, which is disadvantageous for both the fish and the aquarist because it causes distortion of the view. The problems with keeping fish in the ball do not end there. Its shape makes it impossible to install technical equipment, which means that it is difficult to provide optimal living conditions for the inhabitants. To this we should add two more facts: first, the ball is very delicate, which means that it can be damaged during care activities. Second, because of its shape, it can focus the sun’s rays, which in turn can even lead to a fire.

Does this mean that having glass bowls does not have any sense at all? No, although they are not suitable as a ‘house’ for fish, they can be filled with plants and used as a decoration.