I didn’t know I needed a fish until I received one at a white elephant gift exchange last Christmas. He died a few short months later. But, we got another one immediately, because we realized the entertainment value and the fun that came with owning what may seem like an insignificant little pet. So here are seven reasons to own a fish in college.
1. Co-ownership
A fish living in a tight-knit dorm community can have a number of different ‘owners.’ For example, my fish is owned by my roommate and myself, as well as our good friend Mark, because he gifted us our first fish. It’s handy when you need someone else to feed it, and handy to blame someone else when it inevitably dies someday. It's definitely a good bonding experience.
2. All the names
This is one of the really fun parts of owning a fish or any sort of pet. It could take days of debate before you come up with the perfect moniker for your scaly new friend, but when you find it, you’ll know. Checking through all your favorite book/movie/TV character names is rather entertaining. My fish is affectionately named Neville.
3. Taking some responsibility
It sounds like a drag, trying to remember to feed something else when you can barely find time to feed yourself. Sometimes you forget to clean its poor tank for weeks at a time. It happens. But it can be nice to have that kind of responsibility and routine in the strange, hectic place that is college. Even if your dorm room, your schoolwork, and your life is a disaster, you can rely on the consistency of that little guy being ready to be fed every morning.
4. Something to stare at
There will be days where your brain is so fried that you can’t bear to focus on anything complicated anymore. And on those days, your betta will be there drifting peacefully around its tank, and it is SO relaxing to just zone out at it. They keep fish tanks in doctor’s offices to ease the nerves of patients, and a betta fish can ease your nerves the same way.
5. Conversation starter
“Have you met our fish, Neville?” is a common conversation starter when someone new enters my dorm room. It’s easy to get talking about your fish’s backstory, which then leads to discussions of childhood pets, and there you go, you have a continuing conversation. Your betta has your back in those awkward silences.
6. Fish funerals
It sounds morbid, I know, but my first college fish’s funeral was one the funniest things I’ve ever witnessed, and I can’t wait to attend another (It sounds awful but it’s true). My friend said a Bible verse, another friend said a hilarious prayer, and then ten of us walked “solemnly” into the dorm bathroom to flush the poor fish. And then we went out and bought another one that night. Long mourning period, I know.
7. Simply owning a fish
For the reasons above and so many more, it is so much fun to have a fish in college. They have a personality and a life all their own, and it’s well worth the $25 it takes to buy the fish, the tank, and the food. So go get yourself a fish! But always remember...
