The remaining chairs are arranged in concentric circles outside the fishbowl. A few participants are selected to fill the fishbowl, while the rest of the group sit on the chairs outside the fishbowl. In an open fishbowl, one chair is left empty.
The remaining chairs form a circular layout outside the fishbowl. A subset of participants is designated to enter the fishbowl, while the rest sit on the outer chairs. An open fishbowl typically includes at least one vacant seat.