A swimmingly perfect pet for busy people with small budgets & apartments

Love animals but have little space, money and/or time for a companion of your very own? How about the ever popular betta fish? Part pet, part intriguing wall decor, and zero counter space necessary! Talk about a great, low-cost, multi-tasking addition to your nest.


Here's a list of everything you'll need:
Betta bubble - Target.com $24 (available online only)
Betta fish - Petsmart about $3
7-day self feeding betta pellets - Petsmart $2.49
Fish net - Petsmart $3
Some fun decorative rocks (fun punchy colors or flat smooth natural stones for a zen look) - Petsmart 2 small bags at $4/each
Water dechlorinator - Petsmart $3.49
Betta food - Petsmart $2.49 - this will last about a year
1 drywall anchor - Home Depot - 6 pack $1.69 - to ensure your new friend doesn't fall off the wall and meet a sad, suffocating fate
3 lucky bamboo stalks - $1-2/each at Lowe's Hardware or your local supermarket. My fish Zeus likes to sleep in his curly bamboo.
Total Cost: About $54

Lessons I learned the hard way:
1. NEVER clean your fish bowl with soap! Water and a paper towel will work just fine. Soap residue will kill your fish.

2. If you can dedicate a turkey baster to your fishbowl, it will buy you a few extra days between fish bowl cleanings (think underwater vacuum)

3. If you travel, just drop a self-feeding pellet in the bowl and you're good to go (available in 3,7 and 10 day)

4. When cleaning your fish bowl... don't discount the jumping power of a betta fish. Keep a lid on wherever you temporarily place your gilled friend. I don't think fish realize that jumping out of a cup spells possible suicide.

5. Because I'm on the overly-cautious side, to ensure that my water doesn't disagree with my fish, I buy a gallon of spring water at the supermarket about 3 times per month to refresh his bowl (.98/gallon)

This blog was inspired by Renee Redaelli and Scarlett