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[rdd1952]

You'd be surprised Rdd how many people come into the shop and assume that fish can be kept in small tanks, especially Bettas.

Actually, I'm sure there are a bunch but as I said, those are the ones that probably aren't going to take care of the fish anyway since they aren't concerned enough to learn anything about them. At least with other fish, you can ask questions before selling them so that they don't end up with 4 oscars in a 10 gallon tank. Although I'm sure there are way too many stores that would sell them without ever asking a question as to what they panned to kee them. That's pretty obvious by the number of goldfish that are sold for a gallon bowl. I think it once again goes back to the attitude that most people have about fish. To them, it's ust a fish. Big deal if it dies, they'll just get another one.

Maybe part of the problem is that fish are too cheap. If you think about it, we spend a $30 to $50 on a good sized betta setup and then put a $4.99 fish in it (unless you're buying from a breeder and paying the good money). Maybe if bettas at the LFS were $20+ people would think and research a little more before buying one.

 

[stang1]

You'd be surprised Rdd how many people come into the shop and assume that fish can be kept in small tanks, especially Bettas.

Actually, I'm sure there are a bunch but as I said, those are the ones that probably aren't going to take care of the fish anyway since they aren't concerned enough to learn anything about them. At least with other fish, you can ask questions before selling them so that they don't end up with 4 oscars in a 10 gallon tank. Although I'm sure there are way too many stores that would sell them without ever asking a question as to what they panned to kee them. That's pretty obvious by the number of goldfish that are sold for a gallon bowl. I think it once again goes back to the attitude that most people have about fish. To them, it's ust a fish. Big deal if it dies, they'll just get another one.

Maybe part of the problem is that fish are too cheap. If you think about it, we spend a $30 to $50 on a good sized betta setup and then put a $4.99 fish in it (unless you're buying from a breeder and paying the good money). Maybe if bettas at the LFS were $20+ people would think and research a little more before buying one.

That's a really good point you've raised there and it is sad that many people disregard fish so easily. It does seem when people are paying more for a certain fish, then they are a lot more interested in it's needs.
Sad to think that so many "inexpensive" fish can be replaced so easily. Human nature isn't always a great thing.

 

[buttercupbabe078]

I toatally agree with stang. when I visted the states a few years ago we went into a fish store and I saw 10cm x 10cm cubes for sale that advertised on the box that you could put a betta in there. Also I saw in on a hotel reception desk a vase with a betta in with a big water plant on top. My intial reaction was great, a really easy way own a fish. But as I got older and got more into keeping fish I saw them in our tanks just one on their own. I always knew that more than one male couldn't be kept together but it wasn't until I started actually started doing research into getting one that it actually sunk in how cruel it would be to keep one that way. And do you know what is a really big shame? The ranges of colour's and shapes that you get in the states are so much nicer than the bog standard red and blue ones we get here.

 

[stang1]

And do you know what is a really big shame? The ranges of colour's and shapes that you get in the states are so much nicer than the bog standard red and blue ones we get here.

We certainly don't get ones like they do in the US but it is nice to see that we are getting more choice than we used to!
We had some beautiful CT's and DT's in a little while ago and that's the first time I've known them to be in stock. Just a shame that I didn't have a spare tank...

 

[Matty P]

And do you know what is a really big shame? The ranges of colour's and shapes that you get in the states are so much nicer than the bog standard red and blue ones we get here.

Yeh definately lol

 

[kribensis12]

In the wild males and female live in puddles, around 2 gallon puddles.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

In the wild males and female live in puddles, around 2 gallon puddles.

They live in rice paddies don't they? Maybe puddles in the dry season. Still, 2 gallons is a whole lot more then a little cup.

Didn't read through, just incase my post doesn't make sense, or has already been stated, etc.

 

[GuppyDude]

They live in rice patties, puddles, lakes, ponds, any kind of standing water.

 

[jourdy288]

And only in puddles temporarily.

 

[rdd1952]

And only in puddles temporarily.

Which is also what they are in the cups for: temporarily until the are sold.

 

[buttercupbabe078]

Found this website of how bettas are transported. It's soooooooooo sad!

http/www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Betta,%20Housing.htm

 

[stang1]

That's exactly the same size bag that we get them shipped in.
I read the whole article and found quite a bit of it sad.

 

[jourdy288]

Peronally, I don't sign petitions as they do not do any good. In this particular case, what are the plans for this one once it has X number of signatures on it? Who will it be sent to and what will be the process for following up to make sure it was received and that it will not end up in that person's rectangular file (garbage can for those that don't know what that is)? For a petition to even get any attention at the lawmaker or in this case, store owner level, there has to be enough of a public outcry besides the petition to pressure the powers-that-be to make a change. For fish, that isn't going to happen. As I mentioned before, to most people, it's just a fish.

When we recieve X amount of signatures, we will print them out, march to our SuperStore LFS, and display them. Oh, and sorry for not posting. I was in the middle of a Carribean hurricane.

Also, I agree that bettas can be kept in LFS tanks with fish that they agree with. Plus, if we can get some hard scientific evidence that being cruel to a fish is just as bad as cruelty to a dog or cat or elephant, Super LFS will not have a leg to stand on.

 

[rdd1952]

Plus, if we can get some hard scientific evidence that being cruel to a fish is just as bad as cruelty to a dog or cat or elephant, Super LFS will not have a leg to stand on.

Cruelty is cruelty. It really doesn't matter if its a dog, cat or fish. Unfortunately, the general population doesn't consider fish on the same level as dog or cats. And in a sense, they are correct. You can't hold your fish on your lap and pet them (I guess you can but it's not advisable). You can't walk them around the block or play fetch with them. They aren't considered pets by most people as their idea of a pet is something you actually can "pet". And the real key there is finding scientific proof. It has never been proved conclusively (at least to my knowledge) that fish can even feel pain. And if it can't feel pain or doesn't have emotions, then can you really be cruel to it (not saying that as my opinion just that to my knowledge, no one really knows the answer).

 

[CruX]

Peronally, I don't sign petitions as they do not do any good. In this particular case, what are the plans for this one once it has X number of signatures on it? Who will it be sent to and what will be the process for following up to make sure it was received and that it will not end up in that person's rectangular file (garbage can for those that don't know what that is)? For a petition to even get any attention at the lawmaker or in this case, store owner level, there has to be enough of a public outcry besides the petition to pressure the powers-that-be to make a change. For fish, that isn't going to happen. As I mentioned before, to most people, it's just a fish.

When we recieve X amount of signatures, we will print them out, march to our SuperStore LFS, and display them. Oh, and sorry for not posting. I was in the middle of a Carribean hurricane.

Also, I agree that bettas can be kept in LFS tanks with fish that they agree with. Plus, if we can get some hard scientific evidence that being cruel to a fish is just as bad as cruelty to a dog or cat or elephant, Super LFS will not have a leg to stand on.

They will brush it under the carpet or ring the police for you causing a disturbance. Aim a little higher profile. Email a copy of the petition and an explanation of why you are doing this to your local rag, copy in the 'super LFSs'. In form the police you intend to deliver a petition to the Manager of the LFS and invite the local press along. Ring local radio stations and ask them to add it to a program or their website. Whenever you are countered make your argument simple, precise and consistant. Don't get angry or rise to any provocation, remember your points and facts and don't be afraid to back them up with firm consistancy. Think of counter arguments to your cause and have factual evidence to counter these. Tell the truth as it is and make credible examples. ie Would you like to live in a small box, or would you lock a cat in a small cat box etc etc. Also make sure you aren't subjecting people to hypocracy, eg. preaching that all living creatures deserve to be treated in a 'humane' manner as you are stamping on spiders as they are 'creepy'.

Good luck, and remember you need as muc promotion and publicity as possible, you will get knocked back as it is not a generally interesting subject to Joe Public but if you throw enough crap at the wall something will stick and someone might just get behind the petition enough raise awareness enough to cause an embarrasment.