Ah, the fall semester is about to start and it's bringing back one of my memories of college: my suitemates' pet betta.

Well, rather their several pet betta. The first three died overnight. One of my suitemates saw my tank with my fish in it and asked me if I could tell why their fish kept dying. I went to their room and saw their fish gasping desperately at the surface. Next to the bowl was a jar of food and a net, but no tap water treatment. I asked them if they treated the tap water before putting it in the bowl. "What does that mean?" one of them asked. I measured out a gallon's dose of dechlorinator, poured it in, and left them with the rest of the bottle (I had a spare) and instructed them on water changes. Finsby IV lasted the rest of the year.

Fish are one of the few pets that are almost always allowed in dorms, at least in small aquariums. They're a delight. Ever wonder why they're in doctor's offices? Because staring at a fish tank is proven to relieve stress and even increase pain tolerance!

But I noticed a lot of really inadequate habitats for fish in dorms and college apartments while in college. Sometimes these habitats are even given away by the school! Make sure that, before you get one, you've done research on what it needs to stay happy and healthy. Respect your college's rules on pets in the dorm, and when in doubt, be sure to ask.