What I Read On A Betta Bowl Box..

[Rhiannon]

I had a betta that lived in a 5gl for 3 very nice long years. He was stunning.

Anyway the other day I was at kmart and was reading a box that had a betta tank in it. It was smallish (but not as small as I had seen b4), had a divider but said u dont need to put the divider up..

It said on the packet these things..

1. Bettas dont need big spaces, they are happy being in small confined areas..

2. They dont need a heater, they can live in temp's from 18degrees celcius to 24 degrees celcius

3. They dont need a filter because they breath air from the top of the water.

Can someone answer these questions and tell me if they are true?

SOmetimes I go to the pet shops and nearly die when I see the conditions the bettas are kept in. Like half a glass of water in their tiny tank. It makes me sick.

Rhiannon

 

[Zafirah]

1. False, bettas dont anjoy being confined in small spaces, no animal does

2. yes/no, some people will get really mad if you say they dont need a heater, i dont think they do mine are active as ever without one
3. They dont need a filter as long as you clean the tank regularly

 

[dmarie04]

1. False.
2. Yes/No Bettas should be in temps 70-82F (I think that's 21-27 in Celcius), if temp in room stays a constant in that range then a heater is not needed. If there are temp fluctuations or temp falls bellow that range, then a heater is needed.
3. True. If you do regular maintenance and keep water clean then it's possible to get by without a filter. They actually like the calm still water...but you must be diligent about water changes and sucking up all the nasties.

 

[*Fishkies*]

1. Bettas dont need big spaces, they are happy being in small confined areas..

FALSE....Well on this forum i've seen that the general miniumum rule is 1 gallon. So I would most definatly agree with that they something larget then the cups that they are normally purchased in!

2. They dont need a heater, they can live in temp's from 18degrees celcius to 24 degrees celcius

HALF TRUE.....A betta is said to do best when their temperature is 75F to 82F. But as said above earlier, by someone else, as long as the temperature stays consistent a heater is not needed.

3. They dont need a filter because they breath air from the top of the water.

TRUE ....It all depends on the size of the aquarium. And if water changes are given then there will be no problems.

 

[fishboy619]

like more people on here,
1 is false, what animal like living is small areas?the myth goes they come from small puddles in the wild, in the wild the "puddles" may be shallow, but cover hugh amounts of area.also in the wild, the bettas dont have the long fins.
2 personally i think no, they are tropical fish and IMO need warmer waters, if your living in a warm country like australia then the waers going to be warm, but here in england the weathers crap and a heater is needed.
and with 3 i honestly belive all tanks should have a filter, true by compleating often water changes it can work, but till then, the betta has to live in that water, i always filter the water, and they are plenty of filters for sale that dont create much water movment so are perfect for bettas.however in a tank such as a 1 gallon, it is harder to heat and filter, hence why i hate to see bettas in them.
and the devider is ALWAYS needed when keeping 2 bettas in the same tank.2 males will fight to death, and 2 females will probally do the same, females need to be in bigger groups to spread out aggression

 

[Rhiannon]

Thanks for answering my questions, you were all very informative!

 

[na9la]

Number one is not true they can live in it doent mean they are happy living in small spaces!

2 is half true heater u use if the room tmperture is llower but not at 18-24 degrees celiuse that is way too low!!

3 is true for 1 gallon to like about 2.5 though it is good idea to use filter for 2.5 anything bigger is best to have a filter

 

[DarkEntity]

I personally wouldnt put anyfish in a tank less than 5 Gallons.

 

[girl4God81]

I agree with the general replies of everyone on here, mostly famle. I will say that while a filter isn't necessary, it can help a ton! One of my little boys is in a 2.5 gallon with a heater. Before he had the heater he was sort of lethargic (not all bettas are like this of course, mine was just odd hehe), and when I added a heater, it was like night and day! Also just last night I added a little filter, just enough to add a little motion to the water and suck up some extra junk, and he is acting happier than ever. I also moved his tank to a more well light place, and he's like a new fish.

You're right, they can breathe at the top so they don't NEED the extra, but it certainly seems to improve their attitude.