By Fishbowl Adviser
Published: 08:04 pm
With so many options on the market, it can be hard to find the perfect fishbowl. The type of fishbowl you choose also depends on the type of fish you want to have, ensuring your fish has a comfortable and healthy environment to live in. We have reviewed and tested many different types, so you don’t have to. Check out our top picks along with some useful tips for new fish parents. Let’s dive in!
| Product Name | Size | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koller Pet Group Classic Fishbowl | 1/2 Gallon | 4.3 | Check Price on Amazon | |
| Bedwina Heavy Duty Plastic Fishbowl | 16 Oz | 4.5 | Check Price on Amazon | |
| Koller Products Panaview Fishbowl | 1 Gallon | 4.4 | Check Price on Amazon | |
| CYS Excel Glass Bubble Bowl | 1.4 Gallon | 4.4 | Check Price on Amazon | |
| Amscan Fish Bowl | 80 Oz | 4.4 | Check Price on Amazon | |
| Umbra Fish Hotel Mini Aquarium Tank Bowl | 2 Gallon | 4.4 | Check Price on Amazon | |
| Sweetsea Hanging Wall Mounted Fish Bowl | 0.5 Gallon | 4.5 | Check Price on Amazon | |
| Koller Products 1.5 Gallon Fish Bowl | 1.5 Gallon | 4.4 | Check Price on Amazon | |
| Home Essentials Clear Fish Shaped Bowl | / | 4.2 | Check Price on Amazon | |
| Koller Products Impact Resistant Plastic Fish Bowl | 1.7 Gallon | 4.3 | Check Price on Amazon | |
Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change | ||||
The Best Fishbowl
1. Koller Pet Group Classic Fishbowl
KEY FEATURES:
- 1/2 gallons
- Easy to use
- Great strength and durability
- Crystal-clear design
- Shatterproof
With a unique and trendy shape, the Koller Anchor Hocking Classic Drum Style fishbowl has great strength and durability. Unlike glass bowls that are prone to shattering when dropped, this bowl is completely shatterproof, so you won’t have to worry about if an accident occurs. The crystal-clear design makes the bowl look like it is made of glass but it is actually made of plastic that is break and leak-resistant.
The bowl’s length is 6.3 inches, the width is 4.2 inches, and the height is 6.3 inches. It also comes with an Anc bowl drum glass that only contributes to the trendy look. We chose this product as our best choice because of its durability and size. This small fishbowl can be placed into any area, and it’s completely safe around children and pets because of its unique structure and shatterproof material.
2. Bedwina Heavy Duty Plastic Fishbowl
KEY FEATURES:
- Durable
- Eco-friendly plastic
- Shatterproof
The Ivy Bowl Heavy Duty Plastic is, like the name suggests, made of heavy-duty plastic and completely sturdy for any use. It is very spacious with rounded glass that is easily filled with small fish species.
The bowl is completely easy to store and maintain. It looks like it is made of glass, but it is in fact a plastic round container that has great strength and durability. With its durability, it is great for any home, even with children and pets around. And it won’t create any smudges that will eventually lose their luster. All of the materials that are used to make this bowl are non-toxic, eco-friendly, and shatterproof to ensure protection for everyone.
3. Koller Products Panaview Fishbowl
KEY FEATURES:
- 1 gallon
- 8 Diameter x 7 H Inches
- Shatterproof plastic
- Clear viewing
- 360-viewing
This 1-gallon round bowl may not be a great environment for many fish, but it is a suitable home for certain types of goldfish, snails, shrimp, and other similar fish. Betta fish and other similar species are not suitable for this bowl.
The Koller Products Panaview 1-gallon globe fishbowl is made from plastic, which means it is entirely shatter-proof without any chance of it breaking accidentally. And because of its material, there won’t be any cracks or leaks. However, since it is made of plastic, it must not be exposed to extreme temperatures or even placed in a dishwasher. It also has crystal-clear clarity with a Panaview 360-viewing which means it can be viewed from all of its sides.
With plenty of features and its good quality, it is a popular choice for many. It is also quite inexpensive, which is why people use it as a decorative planter.
4. CYS Excel Glass Bubble Bowl
KEY FEATURES:
- 4 different sizes
- Hand-crafted
- Bubble shaped
- Great as an aquarium and terrarium
A unique and hand-crafted bowl made by experienced craftsmen in the vase industry, the CYS EXCEL Glass Bubble Fish Bowl has an elegant and modern look. It has a bubble-like sphere with an angle cut and an opening at the top.
This glass bubble bowl is 4.5 inches tall and 6 inches wide, with a thickness of 3/16 inches, but it is available in 4 different sizes. It can be a great aquarium, but it can also serve as a terrarium for all kinds of plants.
5. Amscan Fish Bowl
KEY FEATURES:
- Container with s lid
- Holds 80 ounces
- Made of strong plastic
Amscan 410017 Container is a uniquely designed fishbowl that can hold 80 ounces of water. It comes with a lid, and it is completely made out of strong and durable plastic. The dimensions are 8 x 7 x 2 inches, while the weight is 2.4 ounces
6. Umbra Fish Hotel Mini Aquarium Tank Bowl
KEY FEATURES:
- 1.8 gallons
- Plastic
- For small fishes
- Fits any space
- Easy to clean
A great starter tank for beginners is the Umbra Fishhotel Mini Aquarium. With its small size, it can fit any space. It measures 7.5 inches wide, 7.5 inches deep, and 8 inches high, and weighs 5 pounds with a capacity of 1.8 gallons. It is a great home for goldfish, bettas, and other small tropical fish.
The bowl has a modern minimalistic design that was modeled after contemporary condominium apartments. It features stacked individual units, an ABS plastic façade, asymmetrical windows, and sleek white shells. You can stack multiple FishHotels and create the appearance of a tall condo apartment. The inner bowl can be removed for cleaning.
7. Sweetsea Hanging Wall Mounted Fish Bowl
KEY FEATURES:
- Easy to install
- Wall-mounted bowl that saves space
- Made from clear acrylic
- Durable
- Transparent Color
If you’re looking to have a creative home for your fish that won’t take up a lot of space? Then the uniquely looking and attractive Sweetsea hanging wall-mounted fishbowl should be a part of your home. It is quite easy to install and it is unique home decoration, but also a great gift for someone.
It is an ideal bowl for small fish, goldfish, and live plants. The length and width are 9 inches or each, while the thickness is 4 inches. Because of its small size, it is not suitable for larger fish like bettas. Even though it is mounted to a wall, it is capable of holding water well while remaining stable.
8. Koller Products 1.5 Gallon Fish Bowl
KEY FEATURES:
- 1.5 gallons
- Great strength and durability
- Crystal-clear design
- Shatterproof
- Durable
The Koller Products 1.5-gallon fish bowl offers a trendy and minimalist design that can add value to any home interior. The design of the bowl is stylish and compact but at the same time impact-resistant. It also has a panoramic viewing that is without any unsightly silicone seams.
It has a crystal-clear clarity that makes you believe it is made of glass instead of plastic. But it is not made from any plastic. The material used is break-resistant plastic that has great strength and durability, which will prevent it from breaking or having any leaks.
9. Home Essentials Clear Fish Shaped Bowl
KEY FEATURES:
- Durable and thick glass
- Fish-shaped
- Decent size for fish keeping
- Easy to put together
A fun and intriguing bowl for your fish, the Home Essentials Fish Bowl is a great and eye-catching accessory to your home’s interior. What makes this bowl interesting is that it is actually shaped like a fish.
It is also made of quality glass that is durable and thick. The bowl’s dimensions are 8.5 x 16 x 10.5 inches, which makes it great for any home. The bowl can be used for many purposes – as a home to your fish, a centerpiece, and even a great gift.
10. Koller Products Impact Resistant Plastic Fish Bowl
KEY FEATURES:
- 1.7 gallons
- Sturdy and shatterproof plastic
- Crystal clear clarity
- Shatterproof
- Great strength and durability
A great fish tank that is a perfect home decor is the Koller Products 1.7 Gallon Fish Bowl. It is made of break-resistant plastic that has great strength and durability, but it can’t withstand any extreme temperatures.
The crystal-clear design makes the tank seem like it is made of glass, but is a lot more durable and shatterproof. It is also completely safe to keep around kids and other pets. The bowl is a great place to keep and care for betta fish. And with its trendy design, it will look excellent with your home decor.
Best Fishbowls Buying Guide & FAQ
What to Look for When Buying a Fishbowl
Buying a new fishbowl is not an easy task, especially if you do not know what to look for. But, having a proper plan and the right information can help you with getting the best fishbowl.
The first thing you need to consider is the type of fish you have or want to get. Your bowl set-up will depend entirely on the type and number of fish you will keep. You will have to decide if you want to have freshwater or saltwater fish and if you want to have a cold or tropical bowl.
The number of fish will largely indicate the size of your bowl. Having more will mean you need to have a large fishbowl. Once you choose your fish, you can decide which size you need. If you have any doubts about which size you should get, always go for a bigger tank.
Picking a Material
The next thing you need to choose is the material. Fishbowls are usually made from acrylic or glass. Deciding which material you should pick depends on the type of setup you want to have, as well as the conditions of the area where you will keep it.
Glass bowls tend to scratch less and offer better support for the weight of fish, water, and equipment inside it. Apart from that, you won’t need a stand to support it, and the glass won’t turn yellow.
On the other side, acrylic is lighter and it won’t crack or fracture easily. They can also be molded into different shapes without any difficulty, which means that an overflow system can be easily outfitted.
You can also find plastic bowls. Depending on the type of plastic used, some plastic bowls can be better than glass. There are bowls made of shatterproof plastic that won’t break if it falls or crack underwater pressure.
Which Shape Is Best?
Fishbowls can come in several different shapes:
- Rectangular
- Round
- Square
- Tower
- Bowfront
Rectangular is the most common shape people get when buying a bowl. And there’s a reason for it. It has many benefits that people don’t realize at first. Fish prefer to swim in a horizontal plane, which is why a rectangular tank will allow them to do. And there will be more space for decorative elements like rocks, plants, and any other things you want.
Additionally, a wider and shorter fish tank has a large surface area, which will optimize the gas exchange and oxygenate the water faster, and allow the carbon dioxide to easily off-gas from the tank. These may not seem important, but they will make sure you have a healthy environment for your fish.
Round fish bowls are iconic and very popular with people. They are smaller than the rectangular ones, but they offer a 360-degree view of everything inside the tank. Apart from being able to see what is going on inside it, it also means that you need to keep the fishbowl clean at all times.
A square bowl offers almost the same benefits as a rectangular one, but it is smaller which means it takes up less space. But, that also means that your fish won’t have a lot of space and you won’t be able to have a lot of fish as well. There won’t be any refraction problems, and the tank will have plenty of light reach the bottom.
The Classic Drum style bowl is wider when looking at it from left to right, but it is not that deep. At the bottom, it has a firmer and stable area that is smaller than the bowl itself. It can also be somewhat heavy, but they offer a clear view of its inside contents.
A tower tank will work best for smaller areas in a home or office setting. It is thin and horizontal in design, which means it takes up little space. But they are very difficult to manage and clean because of their height and smaller width. And they are easily knocked over or kicked.
Bowfront tanks have a great and aesthetically pleasing look that people love. But, because of their shape, they have refraction problems that make it hard to look into and photograph. They also do not offer efficient use of space, since they will leave an open space in front of the tank that you won’t be able to use.
The Filtration System
Each tank needs a filtration system that has biological, chemical, and mechanical components. But the type of filtration will also influence the choice of your fishbowl.
Hobbyists widely use power filters that are hung on the back of the tank. It will filter through an intake tube and pass it through a chemical filter and a biological sponge before it goes into the tank.
For a saltwater tank, you will need trickle filters, otherwise known as wet/dry filters. They use a biological filter that is in one compartment before it filters into an activated carbon unit and back into the bowl.
Box or corner filters are placed in the corner of the tank. They work best for small tanks, but they are also the most affordable option that you can find.
The canister filters are a great option for larger bowls with powerful setups for more fish. They are placed under the bowl and they offer great filtration for a bigger area.
Coldwater, Saltwater and Freshwater Fish
Coldwater, saltwater, and freshwater fish need different conditions, and because of that, they require special conditions once they are placed in a fishbowl. Coldwater fish are often the starter ones for children or even beginners. These species must be kept in an area with a temperature of 70 degrees.
Saltwater species need more maintenance and equipment, but you can provide a liveable habitat for saltwater fish. And once you decorate, you will be able to enjoy the stunning coral, the stunning colors of different saltwater specimens, and the beautiful invertebrates. However, saltwater fish are less durable if there are any variations or problems in their ecosystem, which means you will need to provide more care to your fish. Daily tasks will include checking and controlling the water temperature, gravity measurements, and filtration systems. Weekly check-ups will mean you need to test the ammonia, phosphate, and nitrate levels, while your monthly tasks will mean basic cleaning and regular water change.
Another great option for new fish owners is the Freshwater tropical tank. Just like coldwater aquariums, these aquariums are easy to maintain and clean. As for maintenance, it isn’t difficult, but there are things that you need to take care of if you want your fish to have a healthy aquarium. Freshwater fish can live in water that has a temperature between 72 and 84 degrees, which means you will need to control the temperature and heating. You will also need to keep the pH levels balanced (from 6.6 to 7.8), regularly replace the tank’s water, clean the tank, and condition the water.
Different Types of Fish Bowls
Apart from being different in size and material, there are other types of fishbowls you need to get familiar with. You can find standing or countertop bowls, depending on the space you planned for the bowl.
Since most people place for the bowl is a countertop or desk, a standing bowl is the default choice for everyone. However, if you’re dealing with limited space choices or just want to get creative, you can get a mounted one. Mounted bowls can be hanged on a wall to seem like decoration. If you do get the mounted type, you will need to account for the extra weight and be sure to use appropriate screws and studs when mounting it.
It’s best to plan ahead where you want to put the bowl, so you know which type you should get before going to buy it.
Size and Capacity of a Fish Bowl
One small fish needs five gallons or 19 liters, but it also depends on the species. However, there is no exact rule as to how many fish you can have in one fishbowl, but the species you get will indicate how many you can keep in one aquarium. If you want to have different species, you will need to see if they can be put together in the same place, which can also influence the number. And you must see which fish you can keep in a fishbowl.
There are two most common types of these bowls – large and small bowls. The main difference between large and small bowls is the number of fish you can live in them.
Large bowls are usually made from a high-strength acrylic or plastic that will make sure the tank can withstand the pressure of all that water and the equipment inside it. They will provide enough space to let you design an entire environment with additional decorative material you want to keep with your fish.
Small tanks are a better choice for children and first-time fish owners. They are often made with unique designs that sometimes have fun colors that will be great accessories to a home, but also motivate the children to take care of the fish. Acrylic is a great choice for these bowls – they are stronger but with less weight, but you can also get glass ones.
Before you get your fish, you should do research about the size and space requirements the fish you will get or already have need.
Best Fishbowls FAQ
When buying a fishbowl, you might encounter questions that many before you have asked. Here are the frequently asked questions you should have an answer to before buying your fishbowl.
Q: Does a fishbowl need an air pump?
A: A fishbowl does not necessarily need an air pump, but it ultimately depends on your setup. Some equipment might require an air pump, which means you need to properly plan what you want to get.
If you already have a filter in the bowl that is run by an air pump, then you must have an air pump. Without an air pump in place, the filter will not work and you won’t gain any benefit from having just the filter on your tank.
If your bowl has an action ornament that is run by an air pump, you will also need an air pump that will help it operate. If you’re thinking about getting an air stone decoration that gives off a cascade of bubbles, you will need the air pump to run it.
Q: How many fishes can be kept in a bowl?
A: There is no exact answer to how many fish you can have in one fishbowl. The number depends on the size of the tank, and the species you want to have. The recommended ratio is that one small fish will need five gallons of water to properly live and swim. In order to properly calculate the surface area, you will need to measure both the length and width of the surface area (the place where the water and air meet).
A bowl that will suit the entire family should be able to have one gallon of water in it. The bigger the bowl the better – bigger bowls will be able to fit more. Just make sure you get a bowl that is strong enough to withstand the water pressure and the fish. In case you want to have one goldfish, you can get a small bowl.
If the sides of the bowl are straight up and down, you can just measure the length and width of the upper part. However, with a barrel-type bowl, you will need to measure the length and width of the bowl at the waterline. For circle areas, you will need to measure the length across and divide by two in order to get the proper radius, which you will need to square and multiply by pi or 3.14. It sounds like a lot of math, but it will need to be done if you want the fish to have a proper environment.
Which Is the Best Fishbowl Should You Get?
So which bowl should you get? It’s up to you to decide which is the best fishbowl you can get. Having fish as pets is not an easy task, but if you’re determined to have them, you will need a proper fishbowl. Fish are living creatures and they have certain needs that will fall on you to meet. You will have to consider carefully which type of fishbowl you will need, including the size and shape.
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