I’m Bun. I grew up in Rabat, where the pet stalls sold goldfish in glass jars and nobody thought twice about it. My first betta died six weeks after I bought him. He came with a one-gallon kit and a shop assistant who told me bettas prefer small spaces. What killed him was ammonia poisoning, then fin rot. Everything I had been told was wrong.
The Ben Betta
- Thread starter bunbetta
- Start date
Welcome. Rabat in Morocco or Malta?
I started with tropical aquarium in the UK in the 70's when we did things the old fashioned way and water testing was never a thing.
I had 2 four foot long, bow fronted aquariums that had Angel fish in one and the other was a community aquarium.
I started with tropical aquarium in the UK in the 70's when we did things the old fashioned way and water testing was never a thing.
I had 2 four foot long, bow fronted aquariums that had Angel fish in one and the other was a community aquarium.
MattW43 159
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Welcome to the forum! 
BullTerrierChild22 7
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Welcome! I (and likely the vast majority of users here) have been in the same situation as you, no need to worry!
No worries at all
it's a big pleasure man
Well, welcome to our forum...
I only knew Rabat in Morocco... Didn't know Malta has also one...
Yes, they've been housed small for decades. But it's not because they prefer this. It's because of other reasons. First, they're not that active in general in comparison to many other types of fish. Second, they can live in a low oxygenated environment. Third, they're not that fond of strong water flow. And fourth, it's also to keep them more calm than they already are. And they're kept at room temperature (not too high or even lower than the average room temperature), so their metabolism is a bit low. And with a low metabolism, they won't eat that much and they're less urged to move around. This way a bigger environment is not needed. Same goes for water cleaning (a water change can be less frequent). That being sad, I do plea for a bigger environment myself.
I only knew Rabat in Morocco... Didn't know Malta has also one...
This shop assistant was wrongly informed as well then...
Yes, they've been housed small for decades. But it's not because they prefer this. It's because of other reasons. First, they're not that active in general in comparison to many other types of fish. Second, they can live in a low oxygenated environment. Third, they're not that fond of strong water flow. And fourth, it's also to keep them more calm than they already are. And they're kept at room temperature (not too high or even lower than the average room temperature), so their metabolism is a bit low. And with a low metabolism, they won't eat that much and they're less urged to move around. This way a bigger environment is not needed. Same goes for water cleaning (a water change can be less frequent). That being sad, I do plea for a bigger environment myself.
Indeed, we don't stop learning
thank you so much for the insights
My pleasure...Indeed, we don't stop learning
I've been raised with bettas. And I also bred them for 15 years.
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