Grrrrr So Frustrating!

[Amunet]

So I follow someone on facebook that is impatiently waiting for their kid's betta to die.
They posted a photo of the fish floating sideways in a bowl.
I had to comment that next time they should buy a proper tank with filter and heater.
 
I just got told that bettas dont get oxygen from the water, ONLY the air so no filter is needed bc apparently that is all a filter does. That goldfish also do not need filters and breathe air like bettas do and that i need to do my research before commenting.

 
It really shouldnt surprise me that people still assume these things, but it does..... sigh.

 

[Livewire88]

You should just prove them wrong by providing the correct information, then they will look stupid.

 

[misterpro]

"If those species don't get oxygen from the water, why would they have gills?"

Would be my answer

They have no clue clearly... /sigh

 

[techen]

Ask them to put there face in this bowl and let them breath.

 

[Chad]

Betta are labyrinth fish so they do draw oxygen from the surface using the labyrinth organ but they also have gills so the information was only half correct. The fish does need a nice filter and good environment to survive long term but they can be maintained in low oxygen environments for a while which is similar to some of their wild habitats.

 

[DreamertK]

I was in a petstore the other day and this lady was hauling along her two kids and grabbed a few fish things. I waited in line with her and asked her if she had fish, and she said she had some 1$ fish that two out of three had survived the year. I said that fish certainly love water changes, and she said excitedly that she enjoys changing the water a few times a week.

 

[SLIM]

Ask them to put there face in this bowl and let them breath.

Lol!

 

[This Old Spouse]

I think the general public is just so misinformed about fishkeeping. I belong to a group on Facebook for rehoming pets, and one of the posts today was from a woman who is looking for a new home for her FIVE goldfish, 2" long, currently being kept in a 5 gallon tank. I didn't dare ask if there was a filter or any other necessary equipment. 

 

[Chad]

I think that's a good way of putting it. They are either misinformed or uninformed. People love fish tanks and it's no wonder they want one but start talking about pH and their eyes glaze over. I think forums like this one go a long way to getting people comfortable with topics they normally would shy away from like pH and other husbandry issues. That's why even though I may have answered the same question on cycling a tank many times I don't get frustrated answering it yet one more. Just the fact they cared enough to ask means a lot.

 

[DreamertK]

If you don't count chickens, fish might be one of the most abused animals out there.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I never count my chickens before they hatch, but afterwards... I always do. 

 
 
 
http/www.firsttankguide.net/betta.php
 
Here's a quick link to a betta website providing information regarding how to keep a betta alive for 5 years or more!  A few quotes to offer to the individual claiming that you should do your research before commenting...
 

Bettas can be easy to care for, and if you provide them the conditions and care they need, they should live 5 years in captivity, though they can live longer!

 

Keep your Betta in a tank of at least 10 gallons (about 38 liters), and make sure that a minimum of 5 gallons (19 liters) of your tank space is dedicated to the Betta.

 

Keeping a Betta below  74° for long periods of time, or allowing their temperature to drop below 69° (about 20.5° C) at all can seriously hamper their immune system, making them susceptible to many diseases, particularly the often fatal 'Fur Coat Syndrome' bacteria.

 

Perform your weekly 10-15% water changes, so that your Betta always has clean water and the waste that is not processed by the filter is removed. Your Betta will need a filter to keep the water from becoming toxic, and you will need to keep the filter in good condition.

 

Remember, Bettas are beautiful living creatures. It is the responsibility of the pet owner to care for their pet and provide a healthy environment. So, give your Betta space, clean, warm water, plenty of hiding places, and high-quality, high-protein foods and he should be a good companion for a long time.

 
Just a few items that I'm sure they were unaware of, and are probably violating - which is why their fish is in the process of dying.  You could add a glib comment like doing research before buying fish, but truly antagonizing the individual probably won't help anything, short term or long term.

 

[VickyChaiTea]

If you want, you can direct them to this "Betta Myths" article I wrote. Unfortunately sometimes people are completely unresponsive and refuse to be wrong. People will go to GREAT lengths to convince themselves they are not wrong.
 
http/scalestails.tumblr.com/post/17564853145/introduction-bettas-are-one-of-the-most-commonly