Alright, my family and I bought a new betta fish and a half bowl to house it in. I know betta fish don't need much because of the containers they come in and my knowledge of them already. All we have in the bowl is some gravel and a small plant. The half bowl is about 1 gallon.
My mom bought it to make our dining table look "decorative". I feel bad because I have another betta and he's in a 10 gallon aquarium and he's very happy. I don't think my mom wants to add a filter or anything like that because she doesn't want any cords and stuff on the table. I understand that she wants to make the table look nice, but then you have to think about how the fish will live. I just think it's unfair.
Can anyone help me with this predicament?
2007-06-29 17:00:06 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
The plant is fake. I should've mentioned that.
2007-06-29 17:26:37 · update #1
You are right that it's unfair. Both fish need a filtered, heated tank. Bettas aren't made to stay in those small shipping containers, stores just leave them there because it's easier. For now be sure to change the water in the bowl (100% of it) every 2-3 days and try to talk you mom into at least a 2.5 gallon tank with a filter and heater.
MM
2007-06-29 17:07:13 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Ignore the answers that the size of the containers they come in at the store are the suitable size for them. Bettas need at least a gallon of water.
The bowl size should be fine unfiltered as long as you do water changes once every 3 or 4 days. You will need the bare minimum of at least one plant in the bowl for your fish to rest on and hide in when he needs privacy. You will also need a lid for your bowl. Bettas are terrific jumpers - imagine if he leaps out on to the table and dies, or jumps into someone's food, or someone drops food into his bowl.
However, you do want to bear in mind the setting of the fish bowl. Is it air-conditioned? If it is, the turning on and off of the air-conditioner is going to cause a lot of temperature fluctuations which is going to stress your fish out like crazy. Secondly, imagine the amount of thumping on the table and the subsequent vibrations your fish will feel. I do think it's rather unfair to the fish.
2007-06-29 17:29:12 · answer #2 · answered by ninjaaa! 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, the tank size seems alright and really, bettas don't NEED filters (though it really is better for their health) as long as regular water changes are made. Putting a bit of java moss in the tank will help keep his water cleaner and I recommend it because you don't have a filter. Java fern works well too. If the gravel looks nice and is kept clean, it shouldn't be a problem.
Hope this helps, if not, go to bettatalk.com!
2007-06-29 17:08:04 · answer #3 · answered by Cryptic Shadow 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well its like you living in a closet with a toilet and something to eat. You can survive, but you wont be happy. Bettas arent supposed to stay in a bowl their whole life and dont assume that since they come in tiny plastic cups they dont need a lot of room. They are kept in tiny cups because the pet stores cant afford to house 50 bettas in 50 different tanks.
2007-06-29 18:01:46 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
At least get it a larger bowl if you are going to give it no heater and no filter. If you can find a 5 gallon bowl or vase, that would be the least you could do.
Nosoop4u
2007-06-29 17:04:16 · answer #5 · answered by nosoop4u246 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ok, take the fish out during regular days, (Lazy Days, nothing fancy, daily schedules) then on fancy days (Dinners with family, Reunions, Holidays, Parties) put him in there! He's decoration correct? THen everything is solved!
2007-06-29 20:17:41 · answer #6 · answered by Spencer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Apparently, the space in the standard "betta hex" containers you see in stores is roughly the same as the spaces they inhabit in their natural habitat. There's about that much space between the plants they live in. A pet shop owner once told me that if you put a betta in something bigger, they sometimes feel exposed and get nervous. He's probably a happy little guy right where he is.
2007-06-29 17:06:39 · answer #7 · answered by curiousme 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Yes he will live but, if there is little bubbles on the top of the water that means your beta fish is happy. So if there are no bubbles try changing his environment.
2007-06-29 17:04:39 · answer #8 · answered by ashley c 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Well if there is a plant in the water it should help keep his water cleaner wright? I peronally dont like Betta fish cuz if you dont clean there water all the time it will stink. Just wait till it starts to smell.
2007-06-29 17:25:27 · answer #9 · answered by Trish 5 · 0⤊ 5⤋
that's ok bettas doesn't need filter just change the water weekly to avoid dirty water and don't forget too feed it regularly don't overfeed it. .
2007-06-29 19:51:20 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋