Cats and fish aquariums - Do they mix?

[Pithlet]

I want to get a fish tank. I had them growing up, and I'd like to get one now that the kids are a little older. But, my husband doesn't think we can because we have a cat. He thinks an aquarium would be nothing but a snack bar. I would think the top would keep a cat out. I want an actual aquarium, not a fish bowl.

[koopie57]

1. my daughter left her beta fish

with us. The cats were fascinated with this fish. We went to bed and woke in the morning to see the little acquarium smashed on the floor and the kitty licking his lips. We bought a look alike and it was also eaten. The third one we kept better track of and tried to put it in the cupboard when we left the room, but even though it was smashed twice but we saved the fish in spite of a few teeth marks. But this was just a small acquarium. Her fish moved to her boyfriends house.

[Pithlet]

9. How small was the aquarium?

Yikes!

[shraby]

2. The fish will probably be safe with a top.

My kids had 3 or 4 fish in a bowl one time when they were young and one by one the fish disappeared. Never saw the cat get any but I'm sure they became kitty snacks.

[Pithlet]

7. Oh, no!

That's one reason I'm not considering a fish bowl, although they are pretty.

[JAK1941]

3. The fish will probably be all right.

You might want to have a screen-type cover, however. That's what we have done.

[kittycat1164]

4. Cat TV!

It'll be fine with the lid on. We had one for years with cats and had no problems.

[Blue Diadem]

5. Depends on the cat maybe

Our kitty doesn't bother my son's large aquariums at all. We also have a small aquarium for my granddaughter's goldfish and kitty doesn't even bother to look at that one. Occasionally she'll watch the fish in the large aquariums but with the fish being pretty big, maybe that's why she doesn't bother trying to get them.

[Pithlet]

6. Thanks for the replies.

I think it would be okay. I'll show this thread to my husband to reassure him. We want to put in in the nook above the fireplace that is meant for a TV.

[seriousstan]

8. Only with lemon juice

[TreasonousBastard]

10. As long as it has a lid...

which aquariums should have anyway. I assume you're getting a real setup-- at least 10 gallons, filter, rocks, plants, pump, etc.

I left the lid off of a 50 gallon tank for a while, and caught Maxine up there balancing on three legs and swiping the tetras out of the tank. She ate one or two, and left the others on the floor.

If you don't want to, or know how to, make a lid, get the lighted hood that fits the tank. The fish and plants want the light for a few hours a day anyway.

[Pithlet]

11. I plan on getting a real setup

Not sure how bit, but at least 10 gallons. Before I moved out on my own, my parents had a 50 gallon marine tank. That think was so cool, but I do not want that much work. Probably just a simple freshwater set up.

[TreasonousBastard]

21. Yeah, saltwater is a lot of work, but...

a 20-30 gallon freshwater tank strikes a nice balance between cool fish and less work.

I keep saying I'm going to get another setup myself, but just haven't gotten around to it yet.

[uppityperson]

12. Get a lid and be prepared to add water if the filter sticks out top.

Our cats consider the fish tank a yummy running water source since the filter thingy sticks up past the level of the lid. On the positive side, we don't have to partially empty the tank every couple wks on our own (since they're goldfish I heard you need to replace some of their water frequently due to ammonia buildup), just keep refilling it. We've had the same free goldfish and cat 7 yrs so far.

[Pithlet]

29. Ooh, I didn't think about that.

The water will be just as big of an attraction as the fish.

[Not_Giving_Up]

13. I have three cats, and huge cage full of finches, plus a parakeet

The cats love to stalk and pounce, but we keep the squirt bottle handy if they get out of line. The birds know that cats can't get them, and I swear they tease the poor felines. So far, no birdie fatalities in two years. (The entire time we've had the cats)

[JAK1941]

17. We have three cats, also, and two parakeets.

Only one of the cats tries to bother the birds; but we're
getting him neutered soon, and that should settle him down. 
The other two cats just look.  The durned birds like to yell
at the cats down below, though, and there isn't anything we
can do to stop them from taunting the poor kitties.

[BiggJawn]

14. Sure they do.

Keep the hood close on the tank.

Our "outside fish" are wintering over in a tub in the basement. I think the cats realize those bruisers would pull them in and drown 'em if they got "fresh"....

[CottonBear]

15. 20 GAL log tank w/ lighted hood

My cats use it as cat tv and (sitting on top) as a warming station. Zebra Danios are the hardiest fish ever! Add an algae eater and a little catfish.

[Corgigal]

28. me TOO

I got a bunch of fancy tail guppies. I hold the cat up to the tank and the fish come over to greet her. I also have the little white catfish on the bottom.

They are nice and relaxing to watch but a giant pain to clean. Thankfully it only needs a giant clean only twice a year.

[JCMach1]

16. What cat wouldn't like a fresh Sushi bar?

:)

I have had the full gamut of reactions from cats. The most common one I have to say is my cats have always enjoyed fish tasting water on tap!

[Pithlet]

27. That's what my cat tells me.

He's enthusiastic about my idea :)

[neebob]

18. It can work, I think,

as long as the cats are OUTSIDE the aquarium.

[Heidi]

19. Aquariums are "TV for cats."

Just make sure you get a covered aquarium. (We have an outdoor goldfish pond, and all the cats in the area think this is where we keep the "cat snacks." Unfortunately, it's difficult to cover an outdoor goldfish pond.)

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

20. No prob.

I have a 55gallon and an open-top betta tank in my room. The betta tank is basically a nice source of running water for them. I need to refill that thing constantly. The 55g is like a big screen tv for the one cat. He sits there and tries to catch the fish. They seem to think he'll drop in some pellets or something so they swarm to him when he does this. It's a good way to keep my excessively hyperactive cat amused for hours. He doesn't even jump on the tank.

[Behind the Aegis]

22. sure do!

I have two 10 gallon tanks of fish, and several smaller tanks. Our cat has never tried to get at the fish. Now, our hamsters and finches...that is a whole other story! Of course, our cat is terrified of our parrot and quaker. The lovebird holds his own because he can scream so loud.

[meti57b]

23. my cats-only vet has 4 cats wandering around the office and a fish tank...

It all works out fine.

Wandering around the "waiting room" that is.

[matcom]

24. we have one & two cats

no prob

BUT

one of our cats does get up there on occasion. she doesn't hurt the fish, just well, you know cats. they have to jump on EVERYTHING

so, my advise is to bolt the stand to the wall. just as a precaution.

[Pithlet]

26. Good idea.

Particularly since we plan to put it someplace relatively high, that would be safe anyway, cats or no.

[Atlas Mugged]

25. No problem

I have a 75 gallon aquarium and 8 cats. They love it. The one thing I have that might be a bit different is two light hoods (for a total of four 4' bulbs, which leaves only about an inch along the back for feeding and wee ones doing the occasional paw dip. The reason I have such a major light setup is because I'm a horticulturist and the plants in the tank are just as important as the fish. It's a major aquatic jungle.

As for tipping it over, they couldn't do that even if they tried as a team. It's a heavy mofo.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

30. Only in a blender

:evilgrin:

[Misunderestimator]

33. It's better if you add some dog to the mix...

:P

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

36. they don't make a blender big enough for my boy...believe me

I've tried :shrug:

[Pithlet]

34. You mean, like this?

0088blender.gif

Damn, I don't know why that didn't work.

[Misunderestimator]

37. I'm dying of curiosity...

:D

[Pithlet]

38. Here

I suck at this image stuff. :)

[arismomkoofie]

31. I've had 9 cats at the same time as 2 aquariums...

with no problems!
My aquariums had hoods, and the cats never got in. Occasionally they sat on top and dipped a paw in, but the fish were smart enough to stay away.

I say, go for it!
:)

[giant_robot]

32. Few things are funnier than watching a cat...

...try to get a fish while not wanting to get its paws wet.

[Corgigal]

35. here a photo of my cat

Terra-ist enjoying our tank. In fact it's her acting debut, she's a catfish.

[Pithlet]

39. LOL. That's great.

Thanks!

[prairierose]

40. I never had any problems when I had both...

You do need to make sure you have a top on the tank. I had one cat that did try to go fishing through the very small opening at the back of one of the tops bt she never had any luck! However, it did keep her occupied & out of other trouble for hours at a time. And the cats loved to sit in front of the tanks & watch the fish for hours.

[fortyfeetunder]

41. Need a fish that can hold his own, like a piranha

I bet if you kept a couple of piranhas or oscars in a tank, Kitty would think twice...might dip in a paw and pull back a kitty bone...