From traditional to high-tech, these fish bowls lead the pack.
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Fish Bowls, Tanks and Aquariums
There are many types of fish bowls to choose from. Some are simple glass bowls, while others have lights and filtration systems. The best fish bowl for you depends on your space, budget and type of fish. For many fish, a traditional glass bowl is the wrong choice.
Many fish bowls are simply too small. “For most fish, it’s not advisable to keep them in a fish bowl smaller than five gallons,” says K. Brooke Billingsley, a fishkeeping expert for PetKeen. “Some fish, like guppies, may do well in fish bowls as small as three gallons, but there should still be adequate filtration and swimming space.”
Although smaller fish bowls are less than ideal for most fish, Billingsley says they are great for invertebrates. “Small shrimps and snails require little to no filtration, and many people find low tech setups to be a perfect match,” Billingsley says.
Smaller fish bowls can also be used as temporary setups. For any aquatic creature, be sure you have the right heater, lighting, filtration system and water in their permanent home, as well as enough space.
Glass fish bowls
Billingsley notes glass bowls are sturdy, long-lasting and easy to clean. They also have the best seamless finish. However, glass bowls can be heavy and shatter easily if dropped. They also “tend to create a visual distortion, which can make it difficult to see your fish,” says Billingsley. “This is especially true of round bowls.”
Acrylic fish bowls
These are newer, and they’re gaining popularity for good reason. For one, they weigh much less — usually about 50 percent less than glass, according to Billingsley. They’re more affordable, shatter resistant and have less visual distortion, although they can still crack. The main downside? A tendency to scratch.
Best Fish Bowl Overall
Billingsley highly recommends biOrb fish bowls. “Since these come in larger sizes than most fishbowls, they are a better option for more types of fish,” she says. “BiOrb products tend to be quite pricey, though, and only biOrb replacement parts can be used in these.”
The biOrb Classic works for smaller fish collections. It has more bells and whistles than a plain glass bowl, but retains the classic spherical shape. It’s not as large as some aquariums but is available in four sizes, ranging from four to 28 gallons. It includes a filtration system, built-in LED lights and a support and lid.
“Since it goes up to 28 gallons, this fish bowl can be used for many types of fish, including goldfish, betta fish, tetras, and guppies,” says Billingsley.
Best Globe Style Fish Bowl
This is a simple, shatterproof three-gallon fish bowl with a traditional round shape. It’s like the low-tech version of the biOrb Classic. It’s better than a more common one-gallon fish bowl, but doesn’t meet the recommended five-gallon minimum. It’s a good choice for small fish and invertebrates, a temporary setup or home décor and crafts.
Most Seamless Fish Bowl
The biOrb Halo is known for its sleek, seamless design. “It’s made from the same high-clarity acrylic that the Classic is made from,” says Billingsley. “It includes a multicolor light with remote and a full filtration system.”
Like the biOrb Classic, it comes in several sizes and colors. The biOrb Halo boasts a hidden water line, creating a modern fish bowl with a floating effect.
Fish Bowl for Best View
The Koller AquaView 360 Aquarium Kit’s cylindrical shape offers optimal viewing space. “It has a lid with a built-in LED light that can be set to seven different colors,” Billingsley says.
The lights come with a timer so you can create a routine for your fish. “It also has a filtration system and is made of impact-resistant acrylic,” says Billingsley.
Best Drum Style Fish Bowl
A drum-style fish bowl is another common choice. This half-gallon fish bowl is easy to keep on hand, but it’s not ideal for fish long-term. If your kid wins a goldfish at a carnival, it’ll do the job while you make a run to the pet store for a better home.
It works well as a candy or business card dish when it’s not housing fish. Overall, it’s a versatile, easy-to-store fish bowl that is best for occasional use.
Best Vase Fish Bowl
“Vase style fishbowls are generally made of glass and have a narrow neck that opens more at the top and the bottom,” says Billingsley. That, she says, allows “anything in the bottom portion to have space and a plant to sit in the top portion without falling into the vase.”
Koller Products offers an acrylic vase fish bowl that holds one gallon. “There are very few fish that do well in this type of environment, but small invertebrates can do well,” Billingsley says. Aquatic plants like moss balls are another good choice for decorative fish bowls.
“Although you often see vase fish bowl kits being marketed for use as betta bowls, they shouldn’t be used this way unless they’re at least five gallons and allow for a heater and filtration,” says Billingsley. Some people believe betta fish live off the plant’s roots, but Billingsley says that’s not the case. Bettas “need to be offered a protein-rich diet,” she says.
Best Smart Fish Aquarium Kit
Even fish bowls have been touched by smart technology. The Aqueon LED MiniBow SmartClean Fish Aquarium Kit comes in two sizes, 2-1/2 and five gallons.
This desktop aquarium fits almost anywhere a traditional fish bowl would, but with way more features. Its SmartClean technology performs water changes in just two minutes, improving water quality for your fish. Plus, its rectangular shape sets it apart from other aquariums on this list.
