I Would Like Your Opnion - Experienced Or Not.

[5teady_2012]

I have just read this and found it very interesting, and i was wondering what the betta lovers on here thought?

What is the truth about bettas and habitats? Well, first of all it's that the betta you and I keep in captivity really has very, very little to do with the wild specimens or the fish that lives in the wild. Obviously bettas did not evolve in rice patties, they were here long before people came along and built rice patties but they do live in them now, that's true.


The most important part though is not where wild bettas live but what is best for our bettas since they aren't like wild bettas at all. Wild bettas have none of the finnage and little of the color we expect on a betta from the pet shop. Forget what they were and where they came from, it's what they are today that matters. They are simply too different to do otherwise.

FACT: strong water currents damage fins and will even cause the finnage of a betta to shrink.

FACT: with proper care the water in even a 1/2 gallon bowl can and will stay clean enough for a betta to be healthy. The key is proper care, not over feeding and just changing 25% of the water once a week

FACT: Most of the worlds best betta breeders use 1/2 gallon bowls to hold and show their bettas. Also a fact these folks raise largre bettas with much better finnage than any you will find from commercial breeders in pet shops. A simple search of photos on IBC affiliated sights will show that.

FACT: Most of the bettas living in rice patties got there when the patties were filled fom nearby streams and swamps... that's where the bettas originally lived in the first place, small streams and shallow, nasty swamps. Hence the need to develop labyrinth organs in the first place.

FACT: Dr. Gene Lucus (RIP) was one of the worlds foremost researchers on bettas and betta genetics during his time at Drake University. He collected bettas in the wild as well as using commercially bred fish. He kept the vast majority of his fish in small containers.

Can a betta do well in a large tank with filters and other fish? Of course, no question. Assuming of course like any other fish, it's needs are met. Assuming they need this is blind to the fact that so many people are sucessful at keeping and breeding millions of bettas using smaller containers.

Can a betta do well in a small 1/2 gallon bowl? Of course, no question. Assuming of course it's needs are met. Assuming they need this to do well is blind to the fact that millions of bettas live well in other conditions.

Those that can't accept both answers as correct are simply uninformed or unwilling to admit some system other than the one they like can work.

 

[fish_tank0311]

Im not quite sure what your trying to say here, but the image links dont work.

Interesting but not sure what hes trying to say.

 

[5teady_2012]

Im not quite sure what your trying to say here, but the image links dont work.

Interesting but not sure what hes trying to say.

Im curious to what the experts on here think of what this person has wrote (in the quote tags)..

I took the images out cos it was irrelivant.

 

[chesterscot]

Very good points for some people to take note of
regards scot

 

[woodstock]

Where'd you get this from?

And that's all agreable. Everything is definitely possible with the 1/2 gallon, but there is a very large issue with that - Most people (general public) are NOT willing to take care of their bettas in such a way that they will survive in a 1/2 gallon. Instead, they do it because they're so pretty, "easy to take care of", and I don't need to go on. It's the more ignorant ones that somewhat make it impossible to use a 1/2. The people who ARE able to use a 1/2gal don't really need to ask, because well, they'r eknowledged enough to make it work and make it happen. Breeders do this because they know how to do it correctly, properly, etc.

And for the "Well, first of all it's that the betta you and I keep in captivity really has very, very little to do with the wild specimens or the fish that lives in the wild"

There's instinct, which doesn't exactly just completely disappear, which is where the connection between wild and bred come from.

 

[OneOnion]

Yes, it is ok to keep a betta in a 1/2 gallon container if you provide proper care, but the problem is that most people do not provide proper care for the bettas in 1/2 gallon containers. The majority of them are the ones barely ever do water changes, overfeed, etc. The reason most people keep bettas in larger containers and the reason we advise beginners to do the same is that it's easier than using 1/2 gallon containers, and don't have enough time to do daily water changes.

 

[Tolak]

Sounds like the voice of an experienced breeder. Seeing as IBC is mentioned I'll bet he's affiliated with them. One of the most knowledgeable species oriented groups to be found.

I always strive to learn from the best, no matter what the topic. This is hard learned knowledge from one of the best.

 

[Mauricia]

Well... I've been to some breeders houses to pick up fish to buy, many of these breeders are very respected and win in betta shows all the time. They also seem very smart and friendly so I trust their opinions. And while they keep their young males in 1 gallon containers (most of them have big rack/drip systems with those clear plastic boxes) their breeding males are in 5-10 gallon tanks. Their females are in big 50 gallon tanks. Two of them asked me when I picked up my fish what I was planning to keep them in and they seemed relieved when I told them 5 gallon heated tanks. I've never seen a breeder keeping their prized males in half gallon tanks. I use this basis to dispute the third fact.
I also have HM males that have not lost a single bit of their finage and live in 5+ gallon tanks with sponge filters. So while a strong current is rough for a betta with heavy finage there is no reason that you can't filter their tank.

 

[5teady_2012]

Sounds like the voice of an experienced breeder. Seeing as IBC is mentioned I'll bet he's affiliated with them. One of the most knowledgeable species oriented groups to be found.

I always strive to learn from the best, no matter what the topic. This is hard learned knowledge from one of the best.

The person who wrote it is....
Betta breeder for over 20 years
International Betta Congress Certified Judge

Your right

I was very interested in what he/she wrote, reason being, i was told to never put my betta in a small tank, even when stating i had time to keep up with regular water changes etc, still got told, NO NO WAY..

I use this basis to dispute the third fact.

The person who wrote that is
Betta breeder for over 20 years
International Betta Congress Certified Judge

 

[woodstock]

And again with what Mauricia said about the drip system. This is why nobody goes against breeders and their use of smaller containers - they use drip systems. Cleaner waters 24/7. You won't really find this with a family who don't really know what they're doing.

 

[Night61]

wow, amazing facts and interesting to read and mull over.

 

[5teady_2012]

And again with what Mauricia said about the drip system. This is why nobody goes against breeders and their use of smaller containers - they use drip systems. Cleaner waters 24/7. You won't really find this with a family who don't really know what they're doing.

Thats beside the point though, if you have time to maintain the water weekly, and feed them properly, whats the problem?

see fact 2

FACT: with proper care the water in even a 1/2 gallon bowl can and will stay clean enough for a betta to be healthy. The key is proper care, not over feeding and just changing 25% of the water once a week

 

[woodstock]

How is that besides the point? I'm just saying they're able to keep the water clean in small containers. Using a drip system is definitely considered "proper care", of course not the only way.

Just re-read your post. I meant the family who don't do that, who overfeed and etc etc. (I still have to say - shouldn't 1/2 gallons be have more attention than just once a week changes?)

 

[5teady_2012]

How is that besides the point? I'm just saying they're able to keep the water clean in small containers. Using a drip system is definitely considered "proper care", of course not the only way.

Sorry think i worded that wrong m8, what i meant is, a lot of people get told straight away "DONT DO IT" end of the world...

Just like i got told, yet really aint the best info to give to someone asking better if its explained it can be done if sticking to regular water changes and not over feeding etc, as well as, a bigger is better?

This way they know both ways and can choose which suits them but be aware both ways are possible if done correctly, people like families only do it cos they dont get advised properly, thats where people like on this forum come in to play and tell them "yeah it can", but they dont, they only tell them one thing NO NO NO rather than explain in full both ways.

 

[woodstock]

Mmk yeah. For practical fish-keeping and housing, bigger is definitely better. (And honestly, I think we've both seen 1/2 gallons being the end of the world for bettas - again, with those certain people who don't care for them).

I know how to back the "DON'T DO IT" thing if I weren't sick and could focus properly. Maybe not entirely back them up, but there's reason behind it.
Like the people who say "never do it", it's a bit shallow and doesn't properly explain why, but this is always said to the brand new fish owners who want an easy (emphasis on easy) pet fish to care for in something that doesn't take up much room. "What? Daily water changes? Whatever." Of course there are people who ARE willing to do it, but for me, I'd usually avoid suggesting 1/2 gallons because some (more ignorant) people just take it and go. And especially through the internet, you don't know how they really are and their dedication to the fish. I know one person who could probably make the 1/2 gallon work. But for the people over the internet, it's doubtful you would realize that trait in my friend and care more for the betta. Which makes sense in how I see it.

And yes, it would be more senseful to explain why someone shouldn't use a 1/2 gallon.

Sorry for the rush ending, but I gotta go eat. Excuuuuuuuuuuuse me~