This blog is dedicated to providing factual and amazingly interesting information regarding the health and well being of the unique and beautiful betta splendens, aka betta, aka siamese fighting fish and to establish an awareness among as many people I can reach of the cruel, inhumane way pet stores house bettas and hopefully gain the interest of others in joining me to become a voice 4 bettas so that pet stores will be forced to house bettas in the proper, healthy conditions and if not, then put a stop to these pet stores selling bettas all together.
First and foremost, I would like to address the horrendous treatment of these amazing bettas by pet stores that sell them. You will recognize bettas as they are slowly dying in small plastic cups floating in their own waste day in and day out normally displayed close to the entrance of a pet store and I can't bring myself to look at these poor, suffering fish desperately waiting for someone to take them home and care for them properly, as much as I admire their grace and beauty. Bettas are tropical fish and require clean water, heat and ample space to move and swim freely. Most of the bettas on display are males due to their beautiful colors and long flowing fins. Females lack the showy long flowing fins and for the most part a tad bit shyer. I have inquired about how bettas are kept in the pet stores when visiting and some common comments are
- The bettas are fine.
- Bettas can only be kept singly
- Bettas are uncomfortable in larger containers because they originally come from Thailand and Singapore and lived in shallow mud puddles and rice paddies.
- Bettas don't need a lot of water because they can breathe air.
No, the bettas are not fine because of the small container and small amount of water that they are kept in is poisoning them due to highly toxic ammonia levels their own waste and uneaten food are creating. A larger container holds more water and would at least dilute some of that ammonia. Dirty water causes fin rot, their beautiful fins are being eaten away by bacteria that leads to death if not treated. So, unless you happen to arrive at the same time a betta shipment comes in, the betta you purchase as a pet is already sick.
Male bettas cannot be kept with other male bettas nor should they be kept with female bettas; However, other species of fish can be suitable tank mates for non-overly aggressive male bettas. Some suitable tank mates are cories, khuli, dwarf, hillstream and zebra loaches, African dwarf frogs, ghost and cherry shrimp (source: bettacare101.com). Male and female bettas must be gradually introduced when breeding for a period of 5-7 days prior to releasing the female into the breeding tank. Normally, keeping females together in the same tank is not a problem.
Bettas are not more comfortable in small containers. Bettas are curious and intelligent and need stimulation and space to swim. Ideally, a betta should be housed in no less than a 5 gallon tank: However, a 2 gallon tank is the bare minimum. Bettas are tropical fish and therefore need to live in water temperatures ranging from 78-82 degrees, which will require an aquarium heater. A gentle flowing filter will make cleaning the tank much easier and require fewer water changes, but is not required. Regular water changes (always use water conditioner such as Prime (recommended); tap water is deadly to aquatic creatures, yet, ok for humans...go figure!) and water testing is required in order to ensure your betta has an optimal living environment and a longer life.
Contrary to what you have been told about caring for bettas , bettas require and deserve living in a habitat conducive to their needs and if anyone cannot supply the equipment needed, do not consider having a betta for a pet that will only suffer in your care!!! For that matter, any pet should not be considered if the needs of that particular pet cannot be met.
Resources used for this blog: Nippyfish.com, Bettysplendens.com, Flare Magazine created by International Bettas Congress (IBC), Better Bettas yahoo group
Bettas are not more comfortable in small containers. Bettas are curious and intelligent and need stimulation and space to swim. Ideally, a betta should be housed in no less than a 5 gallon tank: However, a 2 gallon tank is the bare minimum. Bettas are tropical fish and therefore need to live in water temperatures ranging from 78-82 degrees, which will require an aquarium heater. A gentle flowing filter will make cleaning the tank much easier and require fewer water changes, but is not required. Regular water changes (always use water conditioner such as Prime (recommended); tap water is deadly to aquatic creatures, yet, ok for humans...go figure!) and water testing is required in order to ensure your betta has an optimal living environment and a longer life.
Contrary to what you have been told about caring for bettas , bettas require and deserve living in a habitat conducive to their needs and if anyone cannot supply the equipment needed, do not consider having a betta for a pet that will only suffer in your care!!! For that matter, any pet should not be considered if the needs of that particular pet cannot be met.
Resources used for this blog: Nippyfish.com, Bettysplendens.com, Flare Magazine created by International Bettas Congress (IBC), Better Bettas yahoo group
