Should I get a panda hamster or a 10-gallon aquarium? ?

[Rebulicious]

I was researching aquariums when the pandas just completely caught my eye. I hadn't seen hamsters like that before, and it got me wondering whether I would rather have a more active pet. For the aquarium, I would probably get live plants, a small school of fish, a snail, and one slightly larger fish (3"). I like that it could evolve over time. With the hamster, I like the idea of being able to play with it. I don't have a long pet history, so ease of care is important. Should I go with my original idea (the aquarium) or my new gut feeling?

[picklestix7866]

Hamsters are a lot more fun then aquariums in my opinion. I have had both, and honestly, I had more trouble with the aquarium. Keeping the PH in balance and trying to keep the fish alive were a lot harder then I thought. I did have an Angelfish named Boulder that lived for 5 years, and a goldfish named Bert that lived for 3 years, but I definitely had more fun with the hamsters. They aren't as hard as people are trying to get you to believe, but you need to be realistic in how much time you want to spend with it. If you only want to have to feed it every morning and night, get an aquarium. If you want to spend time with it and play with it and enjoy your hard work, get a hamster.

[Miss Misery]

I'd go with the fishes. Hamsters require more care then you'd think at first and they need TONS of attention. Oh and if you're going to get a "panda bear" hamster that's actually a Syrinian hamster, they just give it a different name for the colouring and so that they can sell it for a lot more money. they can only be housed alone, so don't try and get it a friend in the future.. And if you're going to get the hamster make sure you're not going to use an aquarium for it. There's not enough air circulation for them. You'd need a hamster cage, not a habit trail though. the tubes are too small for a full grow syrinian hamster and they can get stuck and the tubes are so hard to clean. the urine smell stays in them. ]: and people will all probably say hamster because they're cute and cuddly and friendly and stuff.. but not all are as well behaved and remember.. it's quite a commitment having a pet. Good luck with whichever you choose.

[Mariaelena G]

panda hamster. you can play with them and they are fun to have in your lap.