I am looking to buy a Siamese Fighting Fish... I have a normal size fish bowl but I have read somewhere that they can't be in large expanses of water because they drown.. Is this true??
2007-11-02 19:14:14 · 9 answers · asked by Cato Says "Kalamaloo" 4 in Pets ➔ Fish
You're getting facts mixed up. You can never have a bowl to large for a betta. The reason why people keep them in small bowls are because they're territorial fish and in the wild they live in small puddles and stuff. They're content in small environment because they like to defend their territory. If you put them in a large tank they may feel they have too much to defend but you'll notice that they'll probably just keep an eye on a particular area, maybe a plant or an ornament, defending that.
Now, about the drowning, Siamese Fighting Fish are the only type of fish which takes its required oxygen directly from the athmospheres which is why they come to the top of the tank and you'll see them sort of take a breath in. Putting a lid on your tank without any oxygen being able to enter they will suffocate and die.
Interesting fact-- they can live for hours out of water just as long as they stay moist.
The reason why people put lids on the top is because they jump out -- i dont use a lid for mine, i've had him for 11 months now and he hasnt jumped out. Make sure you use a plant that's growing out of the top of the water so he knows where the top is.
If he jumps out never fear because as i said, as long as they're moist they'll stay alive for a while, put him back in and hopefully you're not too late.
Hope i've been of help
2007-11-02 21:33:00 · answer #1 · answered by Mike S 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That's just not true. I keep Bettas in my 30 gallon community tank and a 6 gallon solo tank. Bettas have specialized organs that allow them to breathe oxygen right out of the air, so unless you have some covering on the tank that does not allow a space for them to grab a breath, then yes, it might drown. But that's not because their space is too large.
They will do best in a tank, instead of a bowl. Since Bettas are tropical fish, they require a heater to keep the water between 75-82. And a mechanical filtration system helps quite a bit - though it should be set on the lowest water flow, since these fish aren't fans of swift currents.
Get a nice size tank - at least 2.5 gallons and maybe some java moss and a cave to hide in, and your fish will love it's new home.
2007-11-02 19:38:39 · answer #2 · answered by FishStory 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Mine have been in large to very small fish bowls...
neither cause drowning...mine seems to like the 2 1/2 gallon hex tank the best he swims around looking out and is just as happy as a fish can be...
I got him a Shakerz feeding fish for fun...
these fish only eat like one or two pellets per day the food lasts for a long time...
never put more than one fish in any one tank though they will kill one or both..
2007-11-03 07:01:43 · answer #3 · answered by Linnie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For many years I kept the Bettas I sold in my shop in little small round individual bowls, changing the water every 3rd day. As they are air breathers, I never recall ever losing one from drowning or disease! If you are interested in having several, rather than having a lot of individual tanks with filters, lights, heaters, etc, consider a Betta tank.
They are about 5" tall and 5" front to back, and come in various lengths, usually 20", 24" . 40" and 36". There are glass dividers every 4" and is filtered with an under-gravel. A fl. strip light fits nicely over the top to highlight the gorgeous colors. These tanks do great on shelves where size and weight limits you.
2007-11-02 23:25:15 · answer #4 · answered by Dr. Kalyfran 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My local pet store keeps their Siamese Fighting Fish
in 5 gallons tanks - of course, only one per tank, but
with a lot of goldfish. They seem to be surviving just
fine. I have had my own fish in different size bowls
and aquariums. The only time one drowned was when
he was chasing a goldfish and swam too fast and ran
headfirst into the coral decoration in the bow, got stuck
and died. But that was a freak accident, all the others
have lived their normal life span.
2007-11-02 19:22:20 · answer #5 · answered by Caiman94941 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, that's silly! You could even keep them in a community tank of tropical fishes, just one Siamese Fighting Fish (also known as a Betta)in there, okay?
2007-11-02 19:17:49 · answer #6 · answered by Pixie 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Well, I'd call a rice paddy a fairly large expanse of water. No, that's not true at all.
But bowls aren't really appropriate for them either. They are tropical fish, and really should have a heater (and even a gentle filter). I keep bettas, and house most of mine individually in 2.5 or 5 gallon tanks with heater, filter, gravel, a piece of driftwood, and plants (a mixture of real and silk). You can get starter kits like this one: http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/22435/product.web in stores like WalMart that aren't too expensive and they come with a light and filter.
2007-11-02 19:21:18 · answer #7 · answered by copperhead 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
they do not drown.....if kept in a 30 gallon community tank that has lots of hiding places....you can have 2 or 3 of them in the same tank!!!!!
2007-11-02 20:30:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
tropical fish cant be put in the tank with bettas they kill the betta coz of the slimey coating on the tropical fish ie goldfish
2007-11-02 19:30:21 · answer #9 · answered by Cheyenne D 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋