what's with betta fish/goldfish in vase/bowls controversy?

Question

my friend got me a betta fish in vase that holds..i wanna say approx. 1 gallon of water. but i'm worried about it because there's all this controversy about betta fish in vases. does anyone know the main points for the objections?

is it just because it's much too small than their natural habitat so it's considered inhumane?
-we're never going to be able to create a home anywhere near the size of his natural habitat, so of course bigger will always be better so i'm thinking the size should be okay for now because he's got quite a bit of swimming space..

or does it have something to do with the ability of keeping the water in good conditions for the fish?
-because i'm thinking cycling would be stressful on the betta because water changes in such a small amount of water would drastically change concentrations of anything (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, etc) but what if you placed gravel into the vase from an already established tank and you go ahead and do regular weekly water chang

Answer 1

Vases are not aquariums, and should not be treated like one. These vases are considered cruel and inhumane because they a) quickly fill up with toxins, b) are undersized, c) fail to maintain adequate temperature, and d) often do not provide space for air-breathing.

a) Maintaining pristine water is critical to keeping healthy fish. I know you mentioned cycling this vase, but it's very difficult to actually cycle anything smaller than about 5 gallons, simply because tanks smaller than this require more water changes to keep the water pristine enough to keep a fish healthy. Even a 1 gallon should have 75% water changes every 2 days, but a 1 gallon is hardly worth maintaining simply because it's not big enough in the first place. If you were to cycle a 1 gallon it wouldn't make much of a difference because ammonia = nitrite = nitrate, which is still toxic in high enough concentrates. Moving on to another point, I don't know if you got a plant with your vase or not, but just to add, it's often suggested on the "care" sheet that the plants roots will sufficiently manage ammonia and waste production in the small container. This is completely ridiculous; even in heavily planted tanks that are lightly stocked, filtration and gravel vaccuming are required as part of a balanced routine.

b) Bettas need at least 2.5 gallons of space, and that should really be the bare minimum. Tanks of this size are easier to heat, are usually cyclable (Although 2.5 gallons can still tricky with 2x a week water changes), and can be decorated without robbing the fish of 3/4s of his swimming space. A 10 gallon tank ($9.99) is actually cheaper than a 2.5 gallon tank ($13.99), and some of those betta bowls out there are just plain robbing you. $21.99 for a 2 gallon bowl? I don't know what the heck is up with that, but use it to your advantage -- you can buy a 10 gallon tank and a decent heater for $25.

c) Bettas are tropical fish and require temperatures of 78-84* F, with 76* being the absolute minimum. Many pet stores will tell customers that cold cups/vases/bowls are not problematic because bettas are not tropical fish. I'm sure the people living in Thailand would be interested to learn that they are living in a temperate climate! While bettas may be hardy enough to survive outside of their ideal range, cool temps typically result in lethargy, constipation, fin rot, and an increased susceptibility to disease. I can't tell you how many topics on this and many other fish-related sites I see where people are complaining that, "My betta fish doesn't move around in his 1/2 gallon bowl, and is pale and keeps his fins clamped. Is he bored? Is he depressed?" No. He's cold, cramped, and stressed.

d) This one really only applies to the vases with plants, but I've heard of some bettas dying of suffocation because someone stuck their plant down into the water and prohibited them from reaching the surface. Surface area is essential for the water to trade oxygen with the air as well as allowing for the betta to breathe from it.

I think those are the main points. I'm not as familiar with goldfish, but I do know they need at least 20 gallons per individual because of the amount of waste they produce and because of their monstrous adult size.

I hope you'll consider upgrading to a larger tank based on what myself and others have said. You seem like you're interested in the welfare of the betta and I think that's great! :) It's what begins to separate the "fish-KEEPERS" from the "fish-HAVERS" -- being willing to research and be genuinely interested in the welfare, proper care, and are in it for the long haul (Keeping fish for YEARS), instead of impulse buying, basing all information on what looks pretty, etc. (Having fish for DAYS/WEEKS).

Hope this helps,
C.G.

Answer 2

The whole issue with bettas in a vase or bowl is because a small fishbowl is not the best way to keep a betta. However because of their air breathing organ a betta is one of the few fish they may survive in an unfiltered fish bowl. If you want to keep a betta in a fishbowl please follow these guidelines:

1. Maintain at least a 2 gallon bowl. Avoid 1 gallon bowls
2. Bettas like warmth. The temperature requirement for bettas is 75-86°F and a pH level or 6.0 - 8.0 must be maintained.
3. Change ½ of the water weekly. Add chlorine neutralizer to the new tap water.
4. The most common mistake made by bowl owners is overcrowding. A small fish bowl will only hold one fish.
5. Feed twice a day with pellet food made for bettas. Remove uneaten food with a net.

The whole issue with goldfish in a vase or bowl is that goldfish produce more ammonia than other fish of equal proportion and therefore require a filtered aquarium. One goldfish alone requires a 30-gallon tank (each additional goldfish increases the tank size requirement by an extra 10-gallons). Goldfish grow between 6" to 1' long in size.

Answer 3

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RE:
what's with betta fish/goldfish in vase/bowls controversy?
my friend got me a betta fish in vase that holds..i wanna say approx. 1 gallon of water. but i'm worried about it because there's all this controversy about betta fish in vases. does anyone know the main points for the objections?

is it just because it's much too small than their...

Answer 4

I hate seeing bettas in small tanks, I've never seen a goldfish in one though.

But their natural habitat is in puddles, and the rice fields.

I believe the reason they keep them in such tiny tanks is the artistic view, and rarely the loving pet view. You can get these cute little fish shaped tanks and everything, but it's like carrying around a small dog in your purse. It's mostly looks, but they're tropical fish, theres no heater in those little boxes.