What is it with beta fish?

Question

So I work at a pet store....and I was wondering about beta fish. Why are all of the bowls that we sell so small? I mean, I know I should know this since I work there, I just didn't know if there was a huge difference between them and other fish that need bigger tanks.

Answer 1

Bettas are anabantoids. This means they have an additional organ called a labyrinth organ which allows them to take oxygen directly from the air.

They adapted to an environment where they are often found in very small bodies of water, that often get depleted of oxygen.

To adapt to their environment the labyrinth organ developed and allows them survive in these smaller, oyxgen low environments.

Note that I say it allows them to SURVIVE, not thrive.

I'm of the opinion that bettas should not be kept in bowls, cups, vases etc. They need to be kept in a heated, filtered aquarium to thrive.

Answer 2

Betta fish are the victims of widely circulated misinformation that they thrive in small volumes of water because they take in oxygen from the water's surface and don't require oxygenated water.

The reality is that in the wild, the 'small puddles of water' in rice paddies span over an enormous lateral expanse. Bettas have the ability to jump, allowing them to move through the pockets as they please. Not to mention that those 'puddles' can be up to 3 or 4 feet deep.

People have taken their ability to survive in small bodies of water as an excuse to market them as inexpensive pets for people who want fish but don't want to make a big commitment.

As a pet shop employee, the best you can do is educate potential buyers about the proper care a betta needs. Don't recommend any tank less than 1 gallon, even though 2-5 gallons is optimal. Make sure they understand that bettas need warm water and weekly water changes. Also make sure you tell them to keep their tanks covered to keep the bettas from jumping out!

Answer 3

definite, better than a million beta fish in a tank will strive against one yet another, however there is circumstances of the position ive heard beta fish scuffling with before each and everything, yet then making a collection of command that shall we them peacefully co exist. Beta fish will strive against something that has fins the size, on the fringe of, or better than theirs.

Answer 4

Bettas are labyrinth fish,get a good book from the pet store and read it. The family of fishes that they are a part of is called Anibantidae or Anabantids.I think you will be suprised when you find the answers.

Answer 5

Betta can live in smaller environments (in the wild they can even be found in puddles!). Unfortunatly the small bowls are really not the happiest envoronment for a betta, and a 5 gallon tank would be ideal.

Answer 6

Betta can live in smaller environments (in the wild they can even be found in puddles!). Unfortunatly the small bowls are really not the happiest envoronment for a betta, and a 5 gallon tank would be ideal.

Answer 7

Once betta are brought home they should have atleast 1G or they will die quickly. They are very strudy and have a labrinth (SP?) lung that allows them to breath air from the surface unlike most fish so they don't need to depend on the ghastly small mounts they's otherwise get.

Answer 8

Some people prefer the smaller bowls with a beta cuz you can only put one in the bowl, put two males in there and they will fight until one croaks............also, some folks like to put a small bowl on their desk or work areas. I have one and it lives in a regular sized fish bowl, about 10 inches across......

Answer 9

A Betta fish- Red or Blue- is a Dcorative...old Oriental Fish...Does need much water to survive...if you will change once a day the bowl water- at room temp. and you will not overfeed it will do fine. They keep them- each one alone- because if you mix this fish with other fish including other Beta fish- soon will start fighting with the other fish...and it will keep killing until he will be killed by other fish it self. In USA each of such fish cost around US $3.00.

Answer 10

Betta's tend to be aggressive towards many other fish. I use 1 gallon per betta. They sell them where I live in small plastic cups, but then I transfer them to a larger environment.