Bettas

[c1tyfc]

I am relatively new to fish keeping. I keep coming across people who keep bettas in 1g tanks. Can this be good for them? Also i have visited several lfs's and have noticed that many have bettas in TINY little boxes about 3" sq. These fish are just sat at the bottom motionless. I know the reasons for this but it seems almost in the realms of animal cruelty. A few of the shops i have visited have a better way of keeping their bettas, they stock 1 betta in each of there large tanks housing the other fish varieties, they look a lot happier. It just reminds me of bygone days when you would come home from the fair after winning a goldfish on 'hook the duck' and just throw it in any bowl you could get your hands on.

 

[c1tyfc]

just to add..

I am not trying to upset anybody or anything like that. Maybe its me thats needs educating. As i said i am just starting out and had a few worries about this thats all.

 

[FrankSlapperinni]

I personally wouldn't keep one in anything less than a 10 gallon, but most of the people who collect Betta's big time insist that it's OK for them to live in an environment of less than 5 gallons.

Betta's can live in small 1 gallon tanks happily, but the problems with those tanks are that you have no room for a filter or heater. bettes are tropical fish, not coldwater, and need heat.

 

[canyon_rayne]

I keep my bettas in those plastic Kritter Keepers that most people keep rodents or reptiles in. Mone range in size from a half gallon to two and a half gallons. I place them under a lamp during the day to keep the water at a nice temperature. They seem happy and are always swimming around and stuff. They are never listless at the bottom of the tank. I know that some people wouldn't do this but it works for me.