<p>I have read that a 10 gallon aquarium with fish is allowed in the residential community. Would a 10 gallon aquarium tank housing a harmless reptile be permitted? If no one knows, who should I contact about it?</p>
<p>I don’t know, but just curious, what is the harmless reptile in question?</p>
<p>I’m fairly certain that fish are the only thing allowed</p>
<p>Wouldn’t you contact housing about it? After all, they’re in charge of what’s permitted and prohibited.</p>
<p>There’s a tiny bit of leniency. Someone I know kept shrimp in his aquarium. But no way would they allow a reptile. And most reptiles wouldn’t be too happy in a 10 gallon anyhow.</p>
<p>I don’t think they would allow the reptile either. You can always try to get away with things, but it’s better to not push your limits. One girl on my floor was able to hide her cat in her dorm for 3 months without our CA finding out, but then she had to send it back home because they found out her roommate was actually allergic to it.</p>
<p>“You can keep anything that would die if it was not kept submerged in water.”</p>
<p>The above statement is almost exactly how it was worded to me upon move-in. It is possible to hide pets that are caged and have no smell, but there is no guarantee you will not be caught. It is better to just error on the side of caution and only bring pets that must always be submerged in water to live.</p>
<p>I wish I could hide my cat. I’d be a lot more happy* having my fuzzy buddy around.</p>
<p>*Huge understatement.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t bring anything that goes to the bathroom in a box in my room. The residence halls get smelly as it is.</p>
<p>You’d be surprised what a covered litterbox, the right litter, and cleaning it every day does. My cat’s litterbox is kept in my room at home and there are zero smell issues. Also, my hall at Porter never smelled ;). But we were also a substance free hall that not only was actually substance free, but everyone showered and did laundry regularly! It was amazing!</p>
<p>Thank you for all the replies. If aquatic animals are the limit, I won’t risk it.</p>
<p>The reptile in question would have been very small - a leopard gecko or such. I understand that the vast majority of reptiles would not do in 10 gallon tank. I am a reptile hobbyist so I was hoping that maybe I could bring a small individual with me since I cannot bring my 4.5’L x 2.5’W x 5’H water dragon enclosure, haha. I will miss my zoo…</p>
<p>Why fish though? I would imagine fish would prove to be messier, as it would involve hauling buckets of water or potential spills. Maybe because there is no escape risk? Hm… </p>
<p>Oh well. Thanks all for your replies.</p>
<p>I’m an aquarium hobbyist so I feel some of your pain. I had to get rid of my 38 gallon aquarium and my beautiful angelfish when I went off to college. Sigh. </p>
<p>Exactly. It’s the escape risk. Fish are a bit of a messy business, but at least water can be cleaned up easily. Good luck finding a hamster/lizard/snake/etc in a messy dorm room. Even the most responsible pet owners can be outwitted by anything that can walk. XD</p>
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<p>Seriously. :(</p>
<p>Sorry about your fish, Liesel. 
I’d probably go crazy if I had to get rid of my critters.</p>
<p>Do you think they would allow a completely aquatic frog, such as African dwarf frogs? Although they swim to the surface to take a breath of air, they are completely aquatic otherwise, so technically meet the “you can keep anything that would die if it was not kept submerged in water” rule.</p>
<p>Funny you mention that, because I’ve been considering keeping those frogs in the aquarium I’m bringing to college. They specifically state that fish are the only exception to the no pets rule, but I think I can make a good case for why the frogs ought to be okay. I might try to clear it with the housing office beforehand if I’m feeling brave. But really, the housing office is not a huge worry, and most RAs are chill about bending the rules slightly as long as you’re responsible.</p>
<p>We’ve had two hamsters on our floor once. The CA didn’t care but told us to keep it out of site. God those things smelled.</p>
<p>Back when I was a CA, we were told to carefully monitor belongings during the move-in process to be on alert for policy violations such as animals.</p>
<p>The problem is that even if you are able to move it into your room, you are going to be caught eventually. Word will go around that you have an animal, and even if your CA does not care, chances are another CA who hears about it will. So if I were you, I wouldn’t waste my time.</p>
<p>Considering that half of the RAs I knew last year (of 6) were actively participating in the drug culture, buying ecstasy from the roommate of my friend, and generally not caring? I’m not convinced. The others I knew were fairly lax and didn’t care what you did as long as it did not disturb other people. Which is why one of my friends was allowed to keep shrimp, which are technically a violation. </p>
<p>Not to say that next year’s RAs will be as “nice” (because their lack of caring did let a bunch of bad **** keep happening), but in my experience I don’t think anyone is going to get upset about aquatic frogs.</p>