<p>Hello all,</p>
<p>I read that you can't have pets in your dorm room.</p>
<p>However, are fish okay? :( I really want a betta fish in my room.</p>
<p>Thanks guys!</p>
<p>Fish are a-ok. As long as your pet lives in an aquarium and doesn’t breathe air, you’re in the clear.</p>
<p>So I take it fish are the only okay pets? Nothing mammalian or reptilian, then?</p>
<p>Fish and other small aquatic creatures who can live underwater (snails, maybe? or some types of small aquatic turtle?) are allowed, other things are not. From a space and roommate-friendliness perspective, you’ll want to restrict the size of the fish- a small bowl is fine, but a full aquarium isn’t a good idea in a dorm room.
Also, consider waiting to purchase the fish until after you’ve moved in and assessed your needs. A roommate may not necessarily be fish-friendly, and you may find that you don’t really wish to care for a fish once you come to school anyway. Also, consider what will happen to the fish over breaks- if you’re not in a position to take the fish home with you, it’s very difficult to guarantee that someone can come feed it or change its water while you are gone (especially on a between-quarters break). So, while you’re totally free to bring a fish if you’re sure it’s a good idea for you, consider all of these things before doing so.</p>
<p>Fish and other small aquatic creatures who live underwater (snails, maybe? or some types of small aquatic turtle?) are allowed, other things are not. Basically, if the animal could become loose from its cage/bowl/enclosure and live on its own in your room, it’s not allowed.
From a space and roommate-friendliness perspective, you’ll want to restrict the size of the fish- a small bowl is fine, but a full aquarium isn’t a good idea in a dorm room.
Also, consider waiting to purchase the fish until after you’ve moved in and assessed your needs. A roommate may not necessarily be fish-friendly, and you may find that you don’t really wish to care for a fish once you come to school anyway. Also, consider what will happen to the fish over breaks- if you’re not in a position to take the fish home with you, it’s very difficult to guarantee that someone can come feed it or change its water while you are gone (especially on a between-quarters break). So, while you’re totally free to bring a fish if you’re sure it’s a good idea for you, consider all of these things before doing so.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the responses guys!! The vacation/break thing isn’t too much of a worry because I will get a filter and an automatic fish feeder. 
And over the summer I have friends in the vicinity who can take care of it. </p>
<p>I will wait until I moved-in to consider getting a fish, but most likely I will because I’ve grown up with fish–I don’t want my hobby to end because of college.</p>