"Stacey Whaley" wrote in message
oups.com...
I was wanting to get some opinions on the EcoSphere, initiated by NASA,
in which tiny creatures live confined in a glass ball with a little bit
of water, oxygen and a dead plant with which to feed on. (They are
definitely eye-catching.)

http://www.eco-sphere.com/home.htm

I don't know how many here remember the AquaBabies market, but many
protested their existence, stating it was inhumane to confine the
little fish to such a tiny living space.

To me, the EcoSphere seems no different. Brine shrimp though they may
be, surely they would like more space?

Some might say it's akin to keeping a dog locked-up in a cage, while
others might think it's a "cool" novelty.

What is your opinion?

Well, this is similar to the sphere I was mentioning the other day in my
post about BAT's at the LFS.

I've read on various Oz web sites that say these things are illegal in this
country, and that the reason is because they are bad to keep fish in; the
sphere shape messes with the fishes latteral direction snesing lines and
causes undue disorientation and stress.

They mention that gold fish aren't allowed to be kept in them but I can
recall seeing anything mentioned about tropicals or other things.

Still, I am not sure personally whether they are good for fish or an object
that simply looks good.

They seem more designer, than practical to me

Oz

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My Aquatic web Blog is at http://members.optusnet.com.au/ivan.smith