Live Fish - Bowl for Wedding Centerpieces?

My daughter %26amp; Fiancee both work for Cruise Line (3 yrs), want to get married (Carmel, CA) near beach in Jan/Feb. (Cold/Rainy season) Both want to be "different" w/many live colored fish @ center of each table @ reception. Sources tell me those fish need min. of 20 gallon tank. Suggestion of just goldfish in bowls was met w/critisizm. No flowers or candles wanted. Any other suggestions?

Live Fish - Bowl for Wedding Centerpieces?
Beta fish would be your best choice, and they're usually sold for very cheap at places like Wal Mart. I think that's kind of a neat idea, but hopefully none of the guests will mess with them. Has your daughter and her fiancee thought about what they're going to do with all the fish after the wedding?



And any other colorful fish will more than likely require salt water, and yes, you would need a tank equipped to handle that.
Reply:why not???! go ahead. i think its very nice. its a bit unique, isn't it?

...i suggest that you consider fadding flowers. put it outside the base of the bowls, surrounding the bowl.
Reply:I had heard of doing this after I was married - but would have done it if I had thought of it! I think it's awesome! Just one little goldfish per bowl - we call them "rose bowls" here, the kind that you just usually float one rose flower in. One per table, have a draw at each table to see who takes their new pet home! I think it's a hoot!
Reply:beta fish are ur best choice....
Reply:I don't think it's a good idea to use fish as a centerpiece. They are animals...not flowers or candy. They need to be in the ocean or in someone's fishtank at home.

I think a nice wire candleholder would be a good alternative.
Reply:Ohh. Great idea. I would definately use Beta fish. They can be calming by themselves of course. They use little water and will be ok for the lenght of the wedding. And you can also give them as favors. Maybe even to someone that has a tag under their seats to take them home at the end of the wedding. It will be memorable.
Reply:Don't do it. It is animal cruelty. Where are the fishes going after the wedding? Will they be loved and cared for in an aquarium in the newly weds house?
Reply:in fact, i find it a cool idea. and come on the reception won't take 3-4 months to end so those fishies go home to their big tank again!
Reply:The issue here is what happens to the fish once the wedding is over? Do guests take them and how do you know the fish will be taken care of properly? After all..they are animals.



Some other ideas for a centerpiece:



Shells in a bowl or various semi-precious stones in a bowl

A larger origami bird in various brightly colored paper
Reply:i think that sounds cool and unique! why not? just add a little water plant in it, and anyway wedding only last for a few hours.
Reply:I helped out at a wedding once where they had Beta fish as center pieces. These only require a small amout of water. Usually a medium sized vase with alittle water plant inside does well. The plant is not a requirement for the fish to live. But i would use purified water and a drop of stress coat in each vase.



Jennifer
Reply:P.E.T.A. WOULD TOTALLY OBJECT !!!
Reply:Who are those sources? Have you ever seen how many fish are kept in 10 gallon tanks at pet shops? These fish live quite a while in these conditions whereas the fish at the reception would only be in the bowls for a few hours. They will swim to the top for air if the water is not oxygenated. When fish are brought home from the pet shop,they are usually put in small plastic bags. I think you are worrying too much about the situation....fish bowls as centerpieces are a lovely idea and far more interesting than standard flowers or candles. I hope though you are talking about freshwater fish because saltwater fish are an enormous investment and wouldn't last very long in plain water.