2006-08-04 09:09:25 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
YES. Bettas CAN and DO jump. I have heard many a story of adventurous bettas deciding to 'take the jump' out of their bowls and end up as a piece of fish jerky on the floor. In their natural habitats, they are capable of jumping from pocket to pocket of water as they please. They have an enormous lateral expanse in which to roam in the wild.
Bowls are generally too small to begin with I recommend no less than 2 gallons if you want an extremely happy, healthy betta. Any container less than a gallon should be cleaned two to three times a week to keep the nasty fish waste from building up. Also, open bowls are just asking for contamination from dust, particles from perfumes/air fresheners, sneezes, and whatever.
If I were you, I would invest in a small, covered tank. You can find small, lighted, 2 gallon tank kits (they usually come with gravel and plants and stuff) for about $15. Until then, to be safe, cover the top of his bowl with something, but still leave room for air to pass through so Mr. Betta can get air from the surface. Make sure the water level is an inch or two lower than the top of the bowl so he wouldn't be able to make it over.
Yes, they keep bettas in open cups in some stores, but in my experience, the stores that keep their bettas this way have the water so low that there's no way for them to make it over the high edges. Usually these places have lids available for when you take Mr. Betta home.
2006-08-04 09:46:22 · answer #1 · answered by bettalover 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
it really depends on the personality of your betta. some feel cramped and want out, some are content where they are. an older betta might notcare or have the energy. if there is another fish nearby to pick a fight with, they might jump.
whats important to remember is that they can only jump so high. if you have a big enough bowl to provide ample space for your betta you might want to lower the water level a little so the rim seems higher to him.
covered tanks are great if are looking to invest more in your fish, but i understand if you're not because the smaller tanks seem to be so expensive. be a creative problem solver. how about a sheet of craft/sculpting mesh or plexiglass with holes in it? you can cut a circle a little bigger than the bowl opening so it lays on top but still lets air and light through.
2006-08-04 19:53:39 · answer #2 · answered by corin_li 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bettas generally only jump when the water conditions are bad, or they are stressed. The only jumping my bettas have done was during water changes when they were in small glasses. (Twice) One managed to flop off the counter into the sink, and down the garbage disposal. (He lived despite the amount of time it took to fish him out.) Odds are he's not a jumper, but that said why risk? Put something over the bowl with holes in it.
2006-08-04 16:58:54 · answer #3 · answered by Sabersquirrel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there, your beta very well could jump. depending on the mouth of the bowl, a CD (that you can live without) makes a great cover without cutting off fresh air that bettas like. PS. My betta is over 4 years old.
2006-08-04 17:32:23 · answer #4 · answered by Lila 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Bettas are able to jump out of the bowl. Whether or not he/she can get out depends on how much space is between the top of the water and the top of the bowl.
Go here for all the info you need: http://www.bettatalk.com/betta_care.htm
2006-08-04 16:59:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a tricky question to answer. Others say that they won't but I have seen personally that they can. It's always a possibility. The only time I seen it happen is with female bettas. I have never seen a male betta do such a thing. If you are afraid that it might happen, I would suggest getting at least a 10-gallon starter aquarium kit.
2006-08-04 18:42:21 · answer #6 · answered by NCConfederate13 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, yes, and yes. I love betta's but they will jump out of a bowl very quickly and easily. Find a more vase like shape container, something with a bubble or round base that tapers up and is longer, that will keep them where they need to be.
2006-08-04 16:13:30 · answer #7 · answered by buggsnme2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I sell stuff (not saying what) to shops and I have never heard anything so silly in my life... Most pet shops keep them in cups. I would not worry about the fish jumping out. seriously, even if I were working in a pet shop I couldn't think up a silly story like that even if I were trying to getting commission on a tank sale. and as for a book on top gases cannot escape and that sounds like a bad idea. and no I'm not dumb. if you were really that worried set a piece of wire screen on top.
2006-08-04 16:17:11 · answer #8 · answered by sisy j 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably not. However, for the first six months my bf and I set up his aquarium I dreamt the fish jumped out of the aquarium. Sometimes they swam in the air and I'd be trying to catch them. However, some fish do try to jump out of the water. I've heard gouramis do.
2006-08-04 16:13:42 · answer #9 · answered by darthbouncy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a betta fish and yes, they can jump...you might want to buy a small tank for him....
2006-08-04 16:13:24 · answer #10 · answered by Lipstick 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋