my betta dresser!

[orientmatt]

I dont want you to think that im criticising you tacofrano, or anyone else who keeps bettas for that matter(the pic of all your fish did look pretty cool by the way), it just that it seems astonishing to me that these fish can be kept in what seem to me to be 'cramped' conditions. Especially when you take into account that for most fish keeping we are always striving to get a tank that is always that little bit bigger. Anyway, I cant really say much seeing as I have no practical experience of keping these fish.

Ps. I have to add that I have never seem these fish being kept in 1 gallon tanks or less at fish shops near me(maybe its just the way my lfs does things), they always seem to be in quite large tanks in comparison to what is mentioned on these forums.

 

[OrkyBetta]

No offense taken. Yes, it is true, aquarists strive for bigger. But the point I was trying to make,

^that is considered a 'large' betta cup at most lfs's and most are even smaller.

Bettas are so used to appalling conditions, that they can live in anything as long as the water stays clean, their skin stays wet and they have some surface to breathe from. And even if the fish isn't happy in something that only holds a few cups of water, unlike most fish they will survive. They really stay happy in anything from a one gallon to whatever you can spare for them.

 

[tacofrano]

eak now i feel like i abuse my fish

 

[OrkyBetta]

Tacofrano, relax. You're fine. It's true, the containers are borderline too small, but if you keep the water clean there is no reason to get upset. Your fish are probably nice and happy.

 

[tacofrano]

they get water changes every 3 days

 

[OrkyBetta]

That's good that you do water changes frequently. I used to change my one gallon bowls weekly, and my half gallon bowls bi weekly so I didn't shock my fishies too much.

 

[MegTheFish]

Don't think that! Geesh...abusing your fish! How 'bout not! They are in wonderfull homes, WAY WAY WAY better then what they have to live in at stores. orientmatt isn't getting mad, I think he just is amazed at how small of spaces they can live in, because when you think of it, it is pretty weird. Errm....yah. LoL.

 

[orientmatt]

blimey those cups really are tiny- they look like something you would get penny sweets in! Its probably just the fact that i'm not used to keeping fish in this way that makes it seem unusual/'cruel'.

tacofranco- I dont think you should feel like you abuse your fish, as long as they are fit and healthy and happy then you are doing a good job, as is the case with any pet.

 

[tacofrano]

okie

 

[OrkyBetta]

Hmm, you're lucky you don't see those cups around england, matt.

Seriously these fish can live in anything. If they have room to swim about a bit, water is clean, and they get fed good food, they can and will be quite happy.

 

[orientmatt]

It does seem a bit wierd doesnt it that those cup things are normal to you guys across the pond, but I can honestly say that I have never seem them here. I wonder why that is?

 

[OrkyBetta]

No idea. No offense, but if I may I am going off on a steryotipical rant. Most people in USA only care about money and will do whatever it takes to make a quick buck. Trust me, I have lived here my whole life, and everyone is out for money. On a rare chance you will find a good honest person, but that is about as rare as finding a needle in a haystack. And they find that bettas can live in these nasty conditions in cups, so the cups are cheap. Cheaper than tanks or bowls. So there you go.

 

[orientmatt]

LOL, I have to say Iive never heard a yank(hope thats not rude) talk about America like that either lol, although i'm in no doubt that its probably true as well! Well they dont call us over here a nation of animal lovers and shop keepers for nothing you know.

 

[OrkyBetta]

Well, I'll stop dissing america, but personally I think it is a flawed nation. And don't worry, calling me a yankee isn't offensive, because they are the best baseball team to ever live. Hehe. But back on track, didn't mean to hijack this thread, taco. I like that you used colored paper to obscure vision of the fish, it is a good idea! They should do that at pet stores, since all of their fish are stressed out.

 

[Iridescent]

Yeah, like I said before, that is what I want to do to my ugly old dresser! Oh, and as for the U.S., I live here, see "Location"