Filter

[Honeythorn]

Most fish of that size are low waste if you don't feed them every day. Bettas are not specifically low waste fish at all, and are just as susceptible to the build up of waste as any other species. Waste that is quickly and easily processed by a mature filter.

The filter does not oxygenate the water. Surface movement caused by having the filter outlet or spray bar at the surface is what draws oxygen to mix and dissolve with the water . Most basic tropical fish don't require fast surface movement anyway and so are basically not that much different from bettas in that need either.

It's just that bettas are easier... they don't need a bubbler because they can breathe from the surface.

Since bettas require the same care as gouramis , anabantoids in general, and most other basic tropicals ( except temp and current ) who also do not require an airstone ( which are rubbish at assisting oxygen absorbtion anyway since all they do is make a few bubbles pop at the surface ) or high flow , how exactly are they easier?

 

[Rediahs]

Most fish of that size are low waste if you don't feed them every day. Bettas are not specifically low waste fish at all, and are just as susceptible to the build up of waste as any other species. Waste that is quickly and easily processed by a mature filter.

The filter does not oxygenate the water. Surface movement caused by having the filter outlet or spray bar at the surface is what draws oxygen to mix and dissolve with the water . Most basic tropical fish don't require fast surface movement anyway and so are basically not that much different from bettas in that need either.

It's just that bettas are easier... they don't need a bubbler because they can breathe from the surface.

Since bettas require the same care as gouramis , anabantoids in general, and most other basic tropicals ( except temp and current ) who also do not require an airstone ( which are rubbish at assisting oxygen absorbtion anyway since all they do is make a few bubbles pop at the surface ) or high flow , how exactly are they easier?

Exactly what I'm saying about the filter, it oxygenates the water because it agitates the surface... it's not anything special about having a filter, it's just about having surface agitation, which filters usually provide.

Airstones also agitate the surface like filters do. It isn't the action of air moving through the water but rather when it pops at the surface that helps to add oxygen to the water.

Bettas are not special, they're not different from other tropical fish but the fact is that they are

1) small
2) do not shoal, prefer to be alone without other bettas so keeping one alone is fine (females do but males no)
3) breathe from the surface
4) prefer slow-flowing or still water

All these factors come together to make it easier to keep a betta without a filter than most other fish. And if you keep a 1 inch fish in 4 gallons, that's 1 inch of fish per 4 gallons... which means if you keep feeding low, you're not going to have a lot of waste accumulating in there.

They're not special, it just so happens they have all these qualities. I wouldn't put a regular gourami in 4 gallons because it is too big. 10 gallons would be the minimum probably depending on the size. And no, the gourami wouldn't need the filter either as long as you provided enough water to dilute the wastes and did frequent water changes, the same way you'd do for a betta.

 

[Honeythorn]

And what do you do in the event that you cannot do water changes and cannot get ( or trust) someone to do this for you?

This is another good reason to have a filter. If such a thing were to happen ( perfectly possible) , your betta would have a higher chance of survival and a lower chance of disease , since the colony of bacteria will keep the tank stable and ammonia low a hell of a lot longer than without a filter.

A filter means less work for you and less stress on the fish in the event of not being able to do tank and water maintenence.

If you don't have one fair enough it's not like anyone can do anything about it , but it's just fantastically illogical. The pros far outweigh the few, easily fixed cons.

 

[Rediahs]

And what do you do in the event that you cannot do water changes and cannot get ( or trust) someone to do this for you?

This is another good reason to have a filter. If such a thing were to happen ( perfectly possible) , your betta would have a higher chance of survival and a lower chance of disease , since the colony of bacteria will keep the tank stable and ammonia low a hell of a lot longer than without a filter.

A filter means less work for you and less stress on the fish in the event of not being able to do tank and water maintenence.

If you don't have one fair enough it's not like anyone can do anything about it , but it's just fantastically illogical. The pros far outweigh the few, easily fixed cons.

No, it's not illogical... saying that I need a filter in case I have to leave and don't have anyone around who can take care of it, is like saying that everyone needs a UPS for their tank in case the power cuts for 2 days, in practicality hardly anyone ever has it. It's perfectly possible that the power will cut but you probably have never bothered with this precaution.

If I don't need one and my betta is happy without one, why bother with it? Besides, he benefits from the still water. It's just one additional cost that I don't feel is necessary.

Even further besides, I have plenty of people I would trust to take care of my betta, one who lives with me. I'd suspect most people can teach someone they know how to do a water change.