The WRONG message about bettas.

19 years ago

I'm tired of seeing bettas in those tiny cups at the pet stores. And even worse, I don't like seeing them in those vases and little bowls and tanks.

Just because their overly long fins are a hindrance and they can't swim as well as other fish, it doesn't mean that they should be placed in half gallon to three gallon tanks/bowls. My betta is in a six gallon and he swims around and is very happy. He's a lot more animate since the time he was in a gallon bowl.

He also benefits from a weak filter that doesn't make too much of a current. He may be a labyrinth breather but that doesn't mean that his water doesn't need to be clean.

They do live in shallow rice paddies but a rice paddie is a lot more deep and larger than a little bowl.

My brother keeps saying, "He's a betta. He doesn't need a tank bigger than his bowl."

I'm not blaming anybody! I'm just complaining b/c I'm tired of what the pet companies do to put ideas in peoples head to make money.

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Comments (7)

Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
19 years ago
I hate seeing fish in small bowls too..and it subtly gives the wrong message about all pets..that they are disposable.
toomuchglass
19 years ago
I HATE Seeing them in little containers too !!! Walmart especially - A container with a lid and one little hole in it. My 2 both have one gallon tanks with plastic ferns and rocks on the bottom . Even thought they're "just fish" - they deserve a nice place to swim ,too.
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User
19 years ago
I hate it too, I feel so sorry for the Bettas. They are being turned into the equivalent of a houseplant or inanimate decorative object. I hate seeing animals confined or in cages, period.
cnetter
19 years ago
Bettas also do better in water that is somewhere between mid 70's to about 80 F. They are more active in this temperature range than in the mid to upper 60's that many bowls will be this time of year.
My betta is in a ten gallon tank, which is easy to keep at a pretty consistent 78 to 80 F, along with a few old cardinals which ignore him as well as he ignores them.
deja_vu
18 years ago
i have a betta named Pollo. my first betta. hes very territorial and i dont use filter. But he is in a 4.5 gallon tank, with stable heater. Because of the absence of his filter, i siphon his tank once every 2 days and do a 25% change of water every 2-3 days.

I got him in a quart bowl from the shop. The shop said he was going to be just fine and all. So i got a bowl which was 1/2 gallon. It was temporary but he wasnt very active. then 3 days later i got him a 4.5 gallon tank. He swam a lot more, went diving down the tank to explore and all.

The benefits of a bigger tank/bowl is that your betta are able to swim around which gives them the exercise they need. They get a chance to thrive. Exercise can change the lifespan of a fish. If you had a small space, with little room to roam around.. u wouldnt be very healthy.

but to complete another important thing is the food; THEIR DIET should be a variety. to improve lifespan and overall health.

think about it. also, as time goes on you will appreciate your betta more. im sure you would want whats best for them.

xxCHHEEERS.
weed30 St. Louis
18 years ago
I've always felt sorry for bettas too. And a lone goldfish in a quart sized bowl :(
User
18 years ago
Mine is in a very large bowl, no filter. I completely change his water with bottled water every five or six days . I feed him little pellet food and he has a fake plant. He's very pretty with super long fins. I hate to see how walmart takes care of them.