If Beta fish require filtration then why do pet stores continue to sell them in the tiny bowls?

Question

Why aren't pet stores educated on what Beta fish really need?

I had one in a tiny bowl because I didn't know any better and after a year it died and my daughter wanted another.

We went to a popular pet store and bought 6 in a 2.5 gallon tank with 2 dividers. A male and a female in each section. I thought the bigger tank would be good and the pet store staff never mentioned the tank needing a filter. So why do many pet stores still sell these fish like this?

Answer 1

A few reasons, but mosty as you mention they don;t know any better. Also because they can sell such set ups to people that only want to spend the minimum, not truely care for the fish. Third, because bettas don't really require a filter. It's better, but not required. A betta will do just fine in a 1/2 - 1 gallon bowl provided you replace 100% of the water every 2-3 days. No question, breeders including myself do it as standard practice.

I'm sure they didn't tell you this either, but your fish can't stay in this situation for long. The males and females that are together will be a problem. The males will kill those females. All of the females can be housed togather long term but no females or other males should be with a male betta for any length of time.

If you have other questions feel free to email me magicman116@yahoocom

MM

Answer 2

Well, I have to say not all fish stores do this, although there are many who do. The "little containers" aren't necessarily the stores' idea - it's what the fish suppliers (now, mostly Florida) send with them to use. So people who work in these places don't bother to think about it, they just use what they're given. I know - I work in a pet store.

Where I work, though, we keep the females together in one tank and males one per tank with the other fish species. As long as the tankmates are chosen carefully, this lets each betta have plenty of swimming space, heated water, and filtration. They're a lot more active than those that are set out in the little cups on the store shelves in too low of temperatures - and customers DO notice the difference. And those little cups - we save them for the customers to take their fish home in.

BTW, bettas are shipped in plastic bags with about 1/4 the amount of water as is in one of the little cups - they still need to be in water - but water adds weight and ups the shipping charge. I try to find ones bred locally.

Answer 3

For one, you have NO IDEA the horror a betta will go thru getting to your store. Luckily, we have some awesome asian people who breed bettas next to my fav. pet store, and they supply most the small stores around here. In order to be shipped from point a to point b, a betta is actually taken out of the water and placed in a plastic bag with nothing but a damp paper towel! With tons of other bettas around it! This is only because they have a labrynth organ, which is a lung allowing them to breath our air.

The reason they have bettas in small cups is because its impractical to have each fish in its own tank, unless they have them in those "baby nets" they use for young fish. Also, the betta can survive in a cup like that for about 2 days without a water change because they can breath air.

Now, why they wont tell you there are too many fish in a tank, I dont know. It must have something to do with the fact that people are very gullible. Pet stores will sell anything to anyone as long as they make money, *usually*. I have found very few pet stores that have cared about the health of their pets, and it shocks me. When I get through college I will start a pet store somewhere along the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin, and I will take care of things right. I think, to own a pet store, you have to pass a competence test, and you have to know the care of each species you carry. I also think you should have to test your employees. I know a pet store in Amery that the lady doesn't know what a Russian Tortoise is! She also had no idea how to take care of any thing and this may sound mean but she sounds like she's done way too many drugs...

People need to think twice before they earn a living on other creatures lives. Too many pets die in their first year to even think its "not a problem" as many people have said! And people who buy reptiles need to research too, as reptiles and bettas share a common problem: too many people buy them without knowing their needs.

Answer 4

Bottom line people don't spend more money on live fish,they only replace dead ones.People are routinely given bad or incomplete advice so they will lose fish and then replace them.This leaves a guilty feeling customer with kids that want another fish. Also pet stores (the big box places) rely on people that won't do their own research. They don't tell one how long it takes to cycle a tank.They won't tell one that you can't keep goldfish with tropical species. They actually lie about fish that will grow too large for a customers aquarium.(Oh, it won't get that big in a smaller tank.) Technically that's not a lie, it will die first. By the way,you can keep Bettas in small unfiltered containers if you change the water daily. Sorry about the rant,but I just get tired of hearing about mis-treated pets. You are on the right track with the larger aquarium,but it will still require frequent water changes,and because of the increased bio-load (more fish),the water change requirements will still be high.----Good luck.-----PeeTee

Answer 5

Bettas aren't required to have filtration just frequent water changes. There is a Petsmart by my house and I buy my fish there. These people seem to know more than other stores do. They ask you your tank size and tell you when you have enough fish to start with, they tell you not to keep goldfish with tropical, and they don't keep the bettas in small cups either. They are in small shelves (separated) Where there is a constant flow of water. they tell you which fish will go well together and they guarantee their fish. So far the fish I bought there were healthy but I have taken back 2 fish but from totally different reasons. I have bought sick neon tetras with neon tetra disease from petco though. And that's why I like my petsmart. Oh yeah the pet stores have to change the bettas water every other day most do if they keep them in cups (most likely not walmart).

Answer 6

It's always Ideal vs Practical. Especially in Commercial Bussiness where making $ makes more sense.

As much most Pet Store Owner wants to show off and keep their 'product' in their top form, sometimes it's just not pratical to put betta in as big place as hobbhist would suggest.

Betta can tolerate wide range of water condition and temperature,excpet chilled and frezze. It uses it's mouth to breath also, unlike most fishes which only breath through their gills. Unless in combat, Betta are normal quite 'dead', thus, don't need big space to contain it. (Wait till you see how big each bags is on their arrival from SE Asia)

Unless you are pretty rich and making profit is not your piority and needs for day-to-day survival, Set up a shop and I'm sure you will be on front pages of all the Press & Famous for a day.

Make sense?

Answer 7

Well.. that is the sad fact about pet stores.
The last thing on their minds is the welfare of the animals they have for sale.

Just look at the rabbits, cats and puppies they have for sale. They are removed from their (constantly pregnant) parents way too early so they be around at the store longer (before growing too large to be 'cute').

I hope people never buy any animals from pet stores that do not provide very very good care of their animals. That's the only way to motivate them to change.

Answer 8

They don't care. Plain and simple. If it seems too much effort on your part, you will not buy one. They buy the fish for 25¢ and sell them to you for $3.50. They don't make that sort of margin on anything else. They know you'll come back for more. Bettas are popular and easy money.

Answer 9

because pet stores are cheap... and since you can only keep 1 Betta to aquarium, they figure, might aswell be a small one...

Answer 10

Bettas don't need filtration. As long as you change the water every few days it should be fine. Just don't use tap water! If you do, distill it.