lisie
Fish Herder
Petco is now selling fish, including bettas, online off their website. Although I have my personal opinion on this, what really concerns me is the false information they are providing.
http/www.petco.com/Shop/petco_ProductLis...4294957519.aspx
Quoted from the site:
Most of you are probably wincing already, but for those who are unsure of this information, I'll state what is false and why.
Bettas are NOT community fish (in most cases).
Although some people have had success keeping bettas in a community tank, this is often asking for disaster. Bettas are solitary, not social fish. They are extremely territorial, and will attack other bettas, as well as other fish that resemble bettas (bright colors and/or flowing fins). Many bettas will attack anything in its territory, whether it resembles another betta or not. Some fish, such as many tetras, will nip a betta's fins, shredding them or just completely destroying them. There are a select few fish that are recommended as betta tankmates, and these are mostly dull-colored, bottom-dwelling, non-fin-nipping fish.
Also, community tanks are usually quite a bit larger than is usually recommended for a betta. As has been said, bettas are very territorial, and in tanks larger than 10 gallons, long-finned male bettas can and often will wear themselves out "patrolling" the tank looking for intruders. This causes quite a bit of stress on the betta, and can wear him out to the point where he may succumb to disease or die prematurely.
64 degrees is much too cold for a betta.
Bettas are tropical fish and must be kept in temperatures between 75-82 degrees F. Below 75 degrees, bettas are not happy campers, and may lose color slightly or not swim around as much. Below 70 degrees, bettas are in danger of disease, have a great risk of becoming constipated, and if kept in low temperatures for long periods of time, may die from hypothermia.
Bettas should absolutely NOT be kept in 1 liter of water!
Bettas, like all fish, need to have room to swim, and one liter of water does not provide enough space for this. Obviously, they also produce waste, which will build up much too quickly in a mere one liter of water. Bettas should be kept in one gallon minimum, and even then the water must be changed 100% every couple days.
I ask you all, to please spend some time to send Petco an e-mail informing them that this information they are providing is false. Please also explain what the correct information is, and explain why. You are more than welcome to copy and paste what I've stated above if you are short on time. You can do so here: http/www.petco.com/petco_Page_PC_contact..._-ftrcontact
However, PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL. Do NOT send e-mails just saying "OMG YOU ARE SO CRUEL!!!!" This will not get what you have to say through to anyone, and will certainly not do any good in this specific case. Be tactful, think about what you're saying, so that they will listen to you, and think what you have to say is important-- which it is!!
Thanks for reading, and please take a few minutes to do this. We all love bettas, and want to see them treated the way they deserve. Let's help get the correct information out there!!!
http/www.petco.com/Shop/petco_ProductLis...4294957519.aspx
Quoted from the site:
Quick Statistics
Temperament: Community
Family: Belontiidae
Native To: S.E. Asia: Cambodia, Thailand
Diet: Carnivore
Adult Size: Up to 3"
Temperature: 64° - 82°F
Care Level: Easy
Tank Size: 1+ liter
Scientific Name: Betta splendens
Most of you are probably wincing already, but for those who are unsure of this information, I'll state what is false and why.
Bettas are NOT community fish (in most cases).
Although some people have had success keeping bettas in a community tank, this is often asking for disaster. Bettas are solitary, not social fish. They are extremely territorial, and will attack other bettas, as well as other fish that resemble bettas (bright colors and/or flowing fins). Many bettas will attack anything in its territory, whether it resembles another betta or not. Some fish, such as many tetras, will nip a betta's fins, shredding them or just completely destroying them. There are a select few fish that are recommended as betta tankmates, and these are mostly dull-colored, bottom-dwelling, non-fin-nipping fish.
Also, community tanks are usually quite a bit larger than is usually recommended for a betta. As has been said, bettas are very territorial, and in tanks larger than 10 gallons, long-finned male bettas can and often will wear themselves out "patrolling" the tank looking for intruders. This causes quite a bit of stress on the betta, and can wear him out to the point where he may succumb to disease or die prematurely.
64 degrees is much too cold for a betta.
Bettas are tropical fish and must be kept in temperatures between 75-82 degrees F. Below 75 degrees, bettas are not happy campers, and may lose color slightly or not swim around as much. Below 70 degrees, bettas are in danger of disease, have a great risk of becoming constipated, and if kept in low temperatures for long periods of time, may die from hypothermia.
Bettas should absolutely NOT be kept in 1 liter of water!
Bettas, like all fish, need to have room to swim, and one liter of water does not provide enough space for this. Obviously, they also produce waste, which will build up much too quickly in a mere one liter of water. Bettas should be kept in one gallon minimum, and even then the water must be changed 100% every couple days.
I ask you all, to please spend some time to send Petco an e-mail informing them that this information they are providing is false. Please also explain what the correct information is, and explain why. You are more than welcome to copy and paste what I've stated above if you are short on time. You can do so here: http/www.petco.com/petco_Page_PC_contact..._-ftrcontact
However, PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL. Do NOT send e-mails just saying "OMG YOU ARE SO CRUEL!!!!" This will not get what you have to say through to anyone, and will certainly not do any good in this specific case. Be tactful, think about what you're saying, so that they will listen to you, and think what you have to say is important-- which it is!!
Thanks for reading, and please take a few minutes to do this. We all love bettas, and want to see them treated the way they deserve. Let's help get the correct information out there!!!