Living in the dorms can be a downer for animal lovers, but friends with fins can come to the rescue.
According to the Office Housing and Residence Life policy regarding pets, fish are the only animals allowed in the dorms.
Senior Stacie Bechinski, health science and radiation therapy major, opted have a fish while living in the dorms. Bechinski has a betta fish she named Chester, after the singer of Linkin Park. She has had her fish since last fall.
"I got it because it's the only thing you can have in the dorms," she said. "It's better than no pet."
Bechinski will live in Noyer hall in the fall.
She likes her betta fish because it is easy to take care of and she enjoys watching it.
"They (bettas) are more responsive than other fish," she said. "My fish will come up and look at me."
Bechinski advises buying a filter for the water or buy bottled water.
"Don't use Muncie water, or your fish will die," she said.
Kelly Wheeler, third year biology and computer science major, works at G and M Pet and Garden Center.
"Fish are not that difficult (to care for)," he said. "Take your time and enjoy them."
The easiest fish to care for are betta fish, he said.
Bettas do not need air filters or certain water temperatures.
"Just a betta in a bowl," Wheeler said.
Wheeler recommends a partial water change every two weeks.
"Pull out about half of the water and replace with non-chlorinated water or distilled water," he said. The water should be room temperature.
For betta fish, "Feed them every other day or every three days," Wheeler said.
If the water is gets cloudy, the fish are likely being overfed. Wheeler recommends feeding betta fish food called Betta Bites.
Betta fish are usually red, blue or combinations of the two colors.
The next easiest fish to care for are the freshwater tropical fish.
"If you have never dealt with fish, don't start with salt water," he said.
Fresh water tropical fish do require more care because they need filtration.
Wheeler recommends approximately a 20 percent water change every month for tropical fish.
"Feed them every day or so," he said.
When starting a fish tank, the tank goes through a one-month cycle. For the first month, do not change the water or make any drastic changes.
The tank has to "build up beneficiary bacteria," Wheeler said.
Zebra danios and tetras are good starter fish.
"They are cheap, easy (to care for) and hard to kill," Wheeler said.
"Patience is the key," Wheeler said. "If you do not have patience, then they are not the pet for you."
For those with patience, Wheeler said fish are great pets.
"They're relaxing," he said. "They don't require a whole lot of maintenance or attention,"
Wheeler had a five to six gallon tank in his dorm room when he was a freshman. He stocked his tank with zebra danios and tetras.
"I had goldfish for a while until my roommate decided to feed them beer," he said.
Marika Williams, manager at McDonald's Pet Store, also recommends betta fish.
"They are a beautiful fish, but very aggressive," she said.
It is recommended that betta fish live alone because of their aggression.
Williams said tap water can be used for fish bowls and tanks, but drops need to be added to eliminate the chlorine.
Williams said fish make good pets because they don't make noise, they are economical and they are not dirty.
"Once you have a tank established, it's easy to care for," she said.
Williams suggests wiping down the tank about once a week.
"I like to just sit down and watch them," she said. "It's relaxing to me."
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