Office Fish

[riogal_11]

I also have kept them in a range of tank sizes. I see no difference in behavior,activity level, personaltiy or health of the fish in my smaller tanks. They are more work, and you really have to understand the water chemisty. Concepts I think may be missed by a newcomer to the hobby.
Im not wishing to debate about it. Just giving my experience. I do not like people asking for advice with small setups to be told simply to get a larger tank as it is not necessary. Sends a lot of new folks running and doesnt make for good forum community.
just my thoughts
cheers

I agree. Typically, when people post asking questions, the fish has already been bought. Especially in cases where you have young people (like in this) there are no other options. So, I think it's best to educate them on how to make the small tank work. Sure, I'd love to have a 10 gallon set-up for each male, but that just isn't possible. So, my guys will be taken care of just fine in their 1-5 gallon tanks.

 

[The_Betta_Lady]

I too have used one gal tanks with much success. As loraxchick said it is more work but perfectly do-able. I used to use mirrors to get my bettas motor running and give him a little exercise. None of this is really relevant though the poor OP wants to help out a fish that is in REAL trouble and the thread seems to have wandered way off point.

I would suggest what has been said before. Get into a conversation about the fish and about how you keep them and slowly move on to how he would be happier if he was in a bigger tank etc. I also think it would be great to offer to help clean him out, I know it can be a sucky job but in a tank that small it really doesn't take long and you will be giving him a better life. Or if you are that worried about getting in trouble for suggesting a bigger tank, the put on the puppy dog eyes and ask a parent to do it

 

[KittyKat]

I have had bettas in 5 gallon tanks that only stay in one area that equals less than 1 gallon.

…and I have had Bettas that would take advantage of all 4 ft of a 4 ft tank… but that isn't very relevant here

With a responsible keeper, there is no reason that a 1 gallon cannot be a satisfactory living environment.

Actually, there is: the volume of the tank affects the swimming space for the fish and also how much environment it has to interact with. Both have an impact on behaviour and the first can have on the muscle development and general health of the fish.

Sure all of those things can impact the fish, but where do we draw the line?

I draw it at what I would do myself with a clear conscience. Having said that, I do sometimes recommend things I could not do myself because it is better for the fish than what the person I am talking to was planning to do or would have done: the lesser of two evils, and all that stuff.

[…]as I said, in this forum years ago, 1 gallon was the accepted standard[…]

…and years ago it was accepted to do only fish-in cycles, it was accepted to keep tropical fish in cold tanks or heat them with candles, it was accepted to keep fish in bare tanks, it was accepted to keep large fish in small tanks, it was accepted that air stones were compulsory, for Bettas to be kept in cups, etc. Were any of these "right" even through they were accepted? Remember the Betta vase trend? That happened even though it was *not* accepted by many people! It is natural for popular acceptances to change with time, to be influenced by our experiences and knowledge, new products. (Note: I am not talking about whether it is cruel to keep Bettas in tanks under 5 gallons or not, I am explaining why a popular acceptance from some years ago may no longer be popular and/or may not be relevant. I am not talking about this specific case or this specific fish.)