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Classroom Pets Chatboard

Class Pet Children's Book

by Barney Saltzberg

Apr 17, 2008

/blockquote>

Finally! It is Stanley’s turn to take the class pet home
for the weekend. He can’t wait to show Figgy to his mother
and spend some quality time taking care of the bird. But
when Figgy flies the coop, Stanley is faced with a very
tricky problem. What to do? And whose fault is it, really
-- his, for agreein...See More

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Betta Fish Notice!

by Julie

Apr 17, 2008

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Note to all thinking about getting betta fish as a
classroom pet, it is not a good idea at all. They get very
sick and normally die in about a month's time. I suggest
getting the classic goldfish, and they can be alot cheaper
and easier to replace without upseting the students if
they happen to die. Gold...See More

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Sarah " They get very sick and normally die in about a month's time."

Excuse Me, but it must be My experiences have been an oddity of sorts then? for the 3 times I've had a beta fish. I've had them for over 2 years or more at a time. .. with cleaning of the tank Maybe 1'ce every 2 months. and the whole lots of feeding? no ....... Mine survived o...See More

Aug 21, 2008

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What kills them is keeping them in those crummy little bowls! I'm always confused when I see all these "Dying beta" posts, because I've had betas live for years. They THRIVE in community tanks, where they hang out near the top, mind their own business, and have room to swish around and show their beautiful colors. It's best to give them some floating plants to hide in when they're feeling shy. I have NEVER ha...See MoreI'm always confused when I see all these "Dying beta" posts, because I've had betas live for years. They THRIVE in community tanks, where they hang out near the top, mind their own business, and have room to swish around and show their beautiful colors. It's best to give them some floating plants to hide in when they're feeling shy. I have NEVER had a beta get aggressive with any of the other fish. The male betas fight with other male betas; they leave everybody else alone. I think you can even keep a male and a female together, although I can't remember if I've done this.

What WILL kill them is keeping them in one of those awful tiny bowls they're sold in. They're miserable there! They won't be healthy in any room-temperature fish bowl for long, whatever its size. Like any tropical fish, they ABSOLUTELY NEED to be in an aquarium with a heater and a good thermostat so the water temperature isn't always fluctuating. Every fish tank should also have a good filtration system to remove waste from the water and keep it well aerated. This will solve your "frequent cleaning" problems.

Every tank should also have at least one plecostamus and two corydora catfish--cories like to play and should NEVER be kept without a friend or two, nor kept in a tank with sharp-edged gravel at the bottom. Softer sand keeps their little whiskers from breaking. They'll help take care of algae on the sides and food scraps that fall to the bottom. BTW, algae on the sides of the tank is no problem for the fish as long as it's healthy and green.

As for goldfish, they really aren't happy in a tank with tropical fish. If the water's warm enough (mid-70s F) for tropical fish, it's too hot for goldfish, who like their water temperature down near 65-68 F. Even in a goldfish tank, though, you need to have a good filter and aeration system. It's not fair to keep any fish in a small bowl full of stagnant water. They need plenty of room to swim, and as in nature, they're healthiest in clean, well-aerated water.

A fifteen-gallon aquarium is really the absolute minimum size anyone should buy, and again, it needs a good filter, a heater, and a thermostat! If you're just going to buy a fish, plunk it in a cramped little bowl and leave it at that, don't bother, because your fish aren't going to live for very long no matter what kind they are.

But I really want to clear up this myth about beta fish. A solitary beta is a beautiful addition to any well-maintained community tank.

On 4/17/08, Julie wrote: > Note to all thinking about getting betta fish as a > classroom pet, it is not a good idea at all. They get very > sick and normally die in about a month's time. I suggest > getting the classic goldfish, and they can be alot cheaper > and easier to replace without upseting the students if > they happen to die. Goldfish can also be placed in a tank > with other such fish unlike betta, which MUST remain alone > and surprisingly require quite a lot of attention and > care, and their tanks must be cleaned often.

Aug 24, 2008

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Classroom pet suggestions

by EP

Apr 18, 2008

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I really want to get a classroom pet for next year. I'm
intrigued by the possibility of a bird, but I have no bird
experience. I do have small mammal experience. I'm just
not sure exactly what to do. Can you tell me what you
have/had? And a little bit about your experience. Do you
think classroom pets are a b...See More

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Lisa /blockquote>

I've had a canary (male) which sang and sang. The 3rd graders I
was teaching loved him - it was hard to be cranky with this
cheerful yellow guy singing away. But it could be distracting to
some kids and unless you're off on your own in the school (I was
up on the 2nd floor of our building by myself) the other...See More

Jun 20, 2008

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Teegan I'm in my second year of college, but my high school had class pets. We loved them! They're a great way to reach out to troubled students and make them want to come to class. Most small rodents are nocturnal- not very much fun. Birds are chatty- sweet for little old ladies or families, but not good in a classroom that needs silence. Chinchillas hav...See More

Jul 5, 2008

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mums run off can't find her what do i feed them

by sue

Apr 23, 2008

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would it help putting another mum in there or would she kill
them

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Xiphophorus helleri ,something wrong with them

by Richard f

May 17, 2008

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Sword tails of mine were all still (not moving )in the top
corner of the tank ,except when I came along,I notice they
have been very jumpy these last few weeks and not hungry as
in not doing the frenzy thing at supper time devouring their
food ,But now I see some white cloudy on one fish's eye ,and
some on th...See More

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swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri )with haze over eye

by Richard f

May 18, 2008

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I have made hospital tank and put Sword in but now what
?What is it and what kind of meds do i use for it ?

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Turtles???

by New Teacher...

May 19, 2008

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I recently graduated and was forunate enough to land a job
as a sixth grade science teacher this upcoming school
year. I currently have two painted turtles and a handful
of fish. Do you think it is a good idea to bring them
into the classroom? What is the procedure or does it vary
from school to school? ...See More

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2nd Grade Teacher /blockquote>

It usually depends on your school as to how they handle
pets. I think the turtles would be fine. The kids would
love it! I used to have a water turtle and the students
liked when I took it out of the tank and let it walk around
the room. We have science teachers who have little corals
for their pet turtl...See More

May 22, 2008

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Sword tails with { Pseudonymous }

by Richard

May 21, 2008

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Well the things I'm doing worked with 2 Sword tails ,the
rest in the big tank are getting worse ,they have white
edging on their fins and tails { Pseudonymous }some don't,
after researching this I found that I need Tetracycline for
a gram Neg bacterium , I have a 27Gallon tank and about 55
Swordtail's ,Any ad...See More

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Why is my Aquarium Acidic

by Richard

Jun 17, 2008

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Can anyone tell me why my Aquarium is getting acidic and
staying at 6.0 PH even after numerous water changes ? The
Tap water is at 7.6 Alkaline .I do have lots of Swords that
I am going to split up soon with another tank .

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teegan Fish waste is ammonia, which is acidic. If you don't have enough of the bacteria that break it down into harmless waste in your tank, it will build up and eventually kill your fish. Put a 50 50 mix of sand and gravel in the bottom and don't vaccum the tank too often. You'll start growing some invisible little helpers in there. Also, remember: one i...See More

Jul 5, 2008

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sick betta fish

by mary

Jun 26, 2008

my betta has been on the bottom of his bowl for a week now.. if i click the bowl or shake it a little, he'll swim to the top but goes back down and just lays there. he is still breathing so i can't flush, but i don't think he is eating

what should i do

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