Fish in Dorm Rooms

UChicagoPSAC
Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:30:59 +0000

Fish and other small aquatic creatures who can live underwater (snails, maybe? or some types of small aquatic turtle?) are allowed, other things are not. 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.