I Would Like Your Opnion - Experienced Or Not.

[woodstock]

Yeah, I've decided that when one of the betta passes, the divider will go down. I have the money, but not the room (surprisingly enough, huh?)

I did start another thread though. My mom ... dislikes the betta. "They're so boring, why just one fish?"
She wants a colorful one. And she's willing to redecorate for it, but NOT for another betta *pouts*. But I still find a community very interesting, so I'm taking the chance. ... If she was serious, haha. Might get a 10 gal and play with it. But geez, not for another betta, lol... btw, would love some random ideas here and there. But if you wanna actually help out, the threaad is in the Tropical Discussion area.

 

[plecostomus-mad]

Yes, I have that in my profile, but what are you saying?

 

[plecostomus-mad]

i think the thing that im concerned about is space....ie: exercise! we must all be able to agree on one thing? fish will do better in larger aquariums.

i now see the overall topic of this thread. yesterday i was abit forward with my opinions and forgetting the BIGGER picture.
this thread isnt about condoning putting bettas in a 1/2 gallon tank but more asking peoples view on there thoughts of the 1/2 gallon betta keeping as stated in the first article, and what we would do in a situation where someone only has a smaller tank and needs advice.

 

[Chard56]

i moved him to a 7G tank and he was the most active ive ever seen him, he gained such a personality in his own little tank and seemed to be miles happier.

I love how you use 7gals as "little", when in reality it actually is quite little

Ive always used sponge filters on my tanks as well so i know it was nothing to do with the flow in the larger tank cos it was not rapid

Bit off topic, was your bought or home-made? If it was a DIY, I'm gonna have to PM you on that, I gotta make my own soon.

In my mind i really think it comes down to care for the fish, and size is not a main factor, a well looked after fish is a happy fish in my opinion

*COUGH whichiswhytheyshouldgetabigatankaspossible COUGH* lol Again, it's not hard to argue that you don't get the most out of them in their 1/2 gals anyway. (And not surprising when you get "helppp my betta in the 1/2 gal got sick and is dying"). But just sayin'.

Typical Tank salesman, can't even give it a rest when stated they were in 5 to 7 gallons. Their not explorers for goodness sakes!

 

[woodstock]

What?

 

[aly_starh]

Hmmm yeh, i agree with most of what it says apart from

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

I think you would need to change the water more often than that!

 

[woodstock]

Ahahaha no worries, no worries.

 

[Mauricia]

Well I think we need to recognize the difference between breeding animals and keeping them as pets. Breeders are never going to have the same type of care as a person with pets will because they have too many animals. Look at snake breeders who use rack systems. The snakes are kept healthy but once the pet owner takes their pet home they're not going to keep their snake in a container of that size, most people will recommend a much larger enclosure. Same with bettas. Because breeders are presumably (hopefully) experts, they keep up on water changes, can recognize and treat early signs of disease, etc. It would also be completely impractical to keep their stock in large tanks. I think many people on this forum are well aware of how betta breeders keep their fish, at least I was. This doesn't change my opinion at all on what I would recommend to a beginner betta keeper. It is well recognized in the aquarium hobby world that beginners do better with a large tank rather than a small one (assuming they don't get overwhelmed with water changes!) because the water parameters are more stable. Stable, clean water is the key to fish health. I recommend a larger tank because it is so much easier to do partial water changes than 100% water changes, and if you can filter and cycle a tank then this is the easiest long term solution. What if you want to go on a week vacation? You can't very well leave your bettas in 1/2 gallon jars for a week with no ill effect. Because it is hard to manage a stable cycle in a 2.5 gallon tank, I recommend 5 gallons. I also think the bettas benefit from space to swim, but even if you don't agree with this, I think it is pretty indisputable that a 5 gallon tank allows for a more stable environment. I think it's best to advise beginners with a more foolproof, easy method of keeping a fish so that they will be a happy betta keeper. Very small tanks and overstocking require more finesse and are best left to the experts, such as breeders.

Yes i understand that, but what if someone can only use a 2G tank? still do all we can to advise them to run it best way possible right?

Yes I always advise people on what I think the correct number of water changes a week would be and to try to get a test kit if they can only use a 2 gallon tank.

I think it's important to remember that those who are so adamant about keeping bettas in 5+ gallons are presumably just looking out for the welfare of the fish. These people really believe that a betta will be unhappy and possibly suffer due to poor water quality in a smaller tank. They're not doing it to bash people, or attack people. I think they're just doing it because they want what's best for every betta.

 

[Assaye]

No-one has responded to my comment about the happiness and stimulation end of fish keeping.

I agree that with excellent care, bettas can be kept in small, unfiltered bowls. If someone stated that they were going to do this, I'd urge a larger tank but of course make sure they knew enough to keep their betta as healthy as possible in a smaller space.

HOWEVER.

Do I think that betta health is the only thing we should be looking at? No. I'd be healthy and safe in a small room with an excellent diet and an exercise machine. I might even have a TV or book to read (much like a betta can watch its surroundings) but would I be mentally stimulated and happy? NO.

I think a betta needs lots of soft cover (like live or silk plants), different zones in its tank and some hiding places. This can't be achieved in 1/2 gallon and still give the creature enough swimming space. TBH, I think it's hard to achieve in 2 gallons.

 

[woodstock]

Assaye - I agree, but then a lot of "There's so much '5 gallon' and 'plenty of plants' talk going on!!..." etc etc. Which is very evident in this thread. It's (happiness, swim space) a step lower than their health from what's gathered around. Everytime a 5 gallon with plenty of plants is suggested, there's SOMEONE who will go "ughhh not again with the 5 gallon talk. (Betta's can be fine in a small tank with good care!)" kindof thing. It's very true, but for their "happiness", is it? Call me absurd, but this is just MY point of view. It's kindof overlooked. I honestly don't feel as safe saying "try and get a 5 gallon!" now than before, cuz i'm pretty sure someone will go ahead and say "they'll be fine in something smaller!!!" And if I suggest "and try to get lots of plants!" someone will yell "they dont NEED it." Call me sensitive or whatever, but just because of that kindof talk, I don't feel open enough to suggest 5 gallons and plants enough anymore. Frankly, it's better for the betta, but apparently even suggesting a larger tank is getting on some people's nerves and assuming we aren't thinking of the person who asks for help. And is suggesting 5 gallons shallow? Not if you actually experienced the change from a betta being in a 1/2 gallon to a 5 gallon, even if its divided. And my plants? I have a nice amount of plants (others may beg to differ), and it's adorable when the betta swims through. Can I not suggest it anymore?

I'd definitely like to stick with "Try to get the Walmart $30 5 gallon tank, it's a really good price!! and get lots of plants!!", but I don't feel okay when someone else beats me down for it because it's apparently so repetitive. Call me weak, but sometimes it does hurt. For me, the $30 for a 5 gallon and filter was amazing. Definitely for those on budget.

 

[silverrabbit]

Personally, I can see how the smaller bowls/jars work for breeders etc. They are far more experienced than the common fishkeeper or the person with their first betta. I know in threads before when I've said "no, I don't think they can live in a space like 2g", people come along with their pics of teensy tanks running on some system that I wouldnt know how to run to save my life.

So, yes those systems probably DO work, I can't deny it, BUT I really doubt that the people coming on here to ask about their betta will have such a system running, and so IMO such a small tank will not work for them.

I guess for me as well, I like my betta tanks to be aesthetically pleasing... I'm not skilled enough to make a 1/2-2g container look lush and wonderful lol. I think tanks around 25-30litres look really nice with a betta in, and I don't feel bad about my boys not being able to stratch their fins properly in something that size.

My first betta was bought for a 12litre "tank", and he wasn't happy. He sat in the corner moping the days away. Then my neighbour gave me their 30l hex tank for free, and I set up Kai's new home. Obviously this is only based on my own experience, but the difference was amazing. He loved zooming around and in and out of the plants and exploring his home that he shared with some shrimp.

I think it's very workable to split say a 30l tank for 2 bettas - as long as the tank is the right shape (I don't think i'd be happy doing that with the hex, which was taller than long) and there is adequate filtration and thought put into each bettas side (like making an area of plants, a cave, little areas to explore). I think this works IMO because it's not 2 smaller tanks, there is one bigger volume of water, and abigger volume of water stays more stable. But that's my opinion

I admit to being forceful in some of my replies, and for that i'm sorry, but i'm tired of people not listening to advice. Recently, there was a thread asking about water changes for a fish-in cycle. I answered, as did others, and the advice was not listened to and yet ANOTHER thread made asking pretty much the same thing.

Wow, how much do I blabber anyways... PERSONALLY, I dont agree with keeping bettas in small spaces (for me small = anything under 3gals), but I understand some of what you are saying and I will try and hold myself back from being a total monster to newbies

 

[plecostomus-mad]

my thoughts are well known on this thread, so i will tread gently

i think its great that beginners take an interest in fish keeping, its a fantastic hobby. '' newbies '' tend to go for bettas i think because they are so beautiful and colorful,and alot of these betta buyers are under the age of 16 i think.

so if a betta buyer is say 13, they dont have alot of cash im guessing and 1 betta,a 3 gallon tank with accessories are cheap enough to buy with pocket money/allowance.....and the added fact a place like wallmart will let you buy a small tank and the fish at the same time doesnt help much. misguidance is also a huge factor with the small tank problemo.

if someone is asking for help and they say they have a fish in a tank i deem too small i do tell them. if there fish is sick i ask for water stats. if there stats are not satisfactory for the fish,i advise water change/s.

its automatic for me to say,GET A BIGGER TANK,its almost like a reflex i know they always cannot afford a bigger tank but i say it in the hope that they know there fish will need extra care and attention in the current smaller tank.

if i posted a thread as a newbie saying '' hey, new to fish keeping, here's a pic of my 12 inch sub adult sailfin pleco in my 120l 3ft tank '' i bet the fist thing people would say is, GET A BIGGER TANK!! you know im correct .....he would be comfy, just about get around and have a bit of exercise. whats the problem? ah i see.....if its a betta id be spot on indeed.

mark

EDIT: sailfin pleco would have the same space as a betta in there 2-3 gallon tank.