This may be irrevelant now, but I got caught up in the physical aspect (betta health, etc) that I forgot about the other aspects, like their personality and color and such. I don't think there'll be a big argument that there is a difference in a betta in a 1/2 gallon, and a 5 gallon. I'll be honest, when I got a betta, I DID put him in a 1/2 gallon. I put them into a 5 gallon on impulse, because I felt bad for them (this is before I joined any forum at all). Very often I see "And in a bigger tank, he gets SO much better and the colors are SO pretty and he's just happier!" Frankly it's true, they seem to exhibit much more happiness in a larger tank than in a 1/2 gallon. I still would advise against 1/2 gallons, personally, because my experience with a 1/2 gallon wasn't the greatest. They were boring to me, but that's completely changed since I sent them to the 5 gallon. Luckily I did perform weekly water changes (should be done more often) and faced no deaths. Also, in a 1/2 gallon, I still find temperature stability an issue. While some people say that stability isn't a huge issue, IN MY opinion, I would still want a stable temperature anyways.
And also, please don't group everyone here at the betta section into one little group... Not everybody rejects someone who is stuck with a 2gallon, only certain people do. If you're stuck with a 2 gallon, there are still people who help them out and don't attack them. For the people who actually do have a choice, why NOT go for 5 gallon? (Frankly the Walmart 5gallon starter for $30 killed me, since it was a good deal, I keep advising people to get it because... $30 for a 5 gallon and filter really is a good deal, isn't it?)
/bettysplendens.com/articles/page.imp?articleid=876
but from a new keepers view it looks like its ok to keep them in a 1/2 gallon tank. its a good job i asked about betta's in detail, if i wasnt so keen on research and fell across that article, i might have bought a 1g and popped the poor soul in it!.thats all im trying to get across.
