Fish in Dorm Rooms

UChicagoPSAC
Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:32:07 +0000

Fish and other small aquatic creatures who live underwater (snails, maybe? or some types of small aquatic turtle?) are allowed, other things are not. Basically, if the animal could become loose from its cage/bowl/enclosure and live on its own in your room, it’s not allowed.
From a space and roommate-friendliness perspective, you’ll want to restrict the size of the fish- a small bowl is fine, but a full aquarium isn’t a good idea in a dorm room.
Also, consider waiting to purchase the fish until after you’ve moved in and assessed your needs. A roommate may not necessarily be fish-friendly, and you may find that you don’t really wish to care for a fish once you come to school anyway. Also, consider what will happen to the fish over breaks- if you’re not in a position to take the fish home with you, it’s very difficult to guarantee that someone can come feed it or change its water while you are gone (especially on a between-quarters break). So, while you’re totally free to bring a fish if you’re sure it’s a good idea for you, consider all of these things before doing so.