My betta fish community tank

[FishEnthusiast]

There are many reasons why MrShum's tank is wrong. I won't even bother listing them as all of us betta lovers know what they are.

If you think that they are living peacefully you must need glasses. You did say earlier their "shorter" fins were due to a change in your feeding schedule. I have a very hard time believing that.

You say you have done a lot of research and observation. I am all for research, and unfortunately sometimes it involves doing experiements on animals. Without animal experimentation we wouldn't have 1/10 of the medicines we do today. But what you are doing serves no purpose aside from forcing normally solitary animals to live in cramped quarters with no where to hide. Your research and observation has yielded little IMO.

I have had betta males singly and in divided tanks. I have found that no matter what they flare and posture towards eachother constantly. I have no doubt that if I were stupid enough to try to introduce them to a community tank they would try to kill eachother. I am sure that if done properly a peaceful community can be achieved. But the key word here is properly.

Take Nashnut's tank for example. It is very heavily planted, there is a lot of hiding places for fish to rest. It appears that there is room for established territories to be established. I can't tell from the pics, but I would bet that the tank is longer than it is tall. Nashnuts fish do not look torn up, where as every one of your fish has terribly nipped fins.

How in God's green earth can you call what you have set up a peaceful tank?

 

[supersixone]

I was brought over here by a friend from another forum to marvel at this utter stupidity. I have 30 betta splendens of my own, soon to get 6 betta imbellis, and I cannot believe the sheer idiocy and callousness displayed here. Those fish are clearly torn and suffering.

Those who are utterly incapable of being responsible petowners simply should not be permitted to have pets. Many of us would love to have a tank full of beautiful bettas; the difference is, the rest of us place the welfare of the fish above our own petty desires. If the setup cannot be done peacefully (as nashnut's appears to be), then we do not do it at all. I am astounded that anyone can be selfish enough to place living creatures in peril for their own gratification. Simply disgusting.

 

[splashluff]

Seriously.. can we report Mr Shum to the humane society? That is sickening. I dont understand how some one can live with those poor dying fish sitting in their room all day, slowly killing each other. Its sooooo unneccesary and destructive ! I agree 100% with Orky, they're all either full of fins or full of parasites, or both.

Who keeps 10 Bettas in a bare, tall hexagon tank?... he really wasn't kidding when he said he didnt do a lot of research. This 'experiment' seems a LOT like a lame excuse for a sick person to fight Bettas. Why do we need experiments on this, why are people giving him CREDIT for "trying something different"?! HELLO... male Betta Splendens have been bred for a LONG time to be extremely aggressive and territorial towards other fish. end of story.. why does anyone need to experiment with that?

tttn, I completely second that suggestion!!! Or, maybe we should put him in a room with 10 psycho serial killers and wait to see who dies first?

 

[Siamese Fighter05]

I've got an idea. Lets set up a peaceful Tiger community, and let Mr. Shums live with them. He might get a few scratches, but hey, its peaceful if we say so, right? He might die, but hey, its only one death, whihc isn't too bad for this expiramental peaceful tiger community.

This is as close to a comparison I can think of with what is happening wiht the bettas. It is horiffic to see. I feel bad enough that ONE of my guys got over his divider, and their fins are totally shreaded. I can't immagine a tank full of bettas with shreaded fins like that.

[snapback]871890[/snapback]​

Yes i totally agree, Quote 'WELL after... inital losses of weaker fish the society is well'
Im sure the initial loss of the Mr Shums shouldnt bother the 'peaceful' community and hey if he doesnt get killed im sure the odd bite here and there wont harm him to much. perharps his legs and arms may be a little short because of the 'food' but overall this enviorement will suit him perfectly...

 

[Jade4Mango]

WTF?

How can you do that to those fish! Bloody hell, you have no respect for keeping fish! You shouldnt be keeping fish! The tanks you see with males and female bettas togethers are all babies! They are all grown up together but when the males start to flare up the breeders will start to jar them! Man I will hate to be your fish! If you were my friend I would of came to your house are punched you in the nuts!

No respect at all!

Go get a life!

 

[supersixone]

Seriously.. can we report Mr Shum to the humane society? That is sickening. I dont understand how some one can live with those poor dying fish sitting in their room all day, slowly killing each other.

[snapback]871900[/snapback]​

i work in within the criminal justice system. if anyone knows what state he lives in, i'll look up the animal cruelty statutes and see what can be done. i know some states do cover fish.

 

[Auratus]

That yellow/pineapple one used to be a DT... could have been really pretty

It's a freaking tall tank... they are surface breathers. More surface area is better. Not to mention more room for territories... "A" for effort on the one glass bowl for 10 bettas to hide in. I'm sure that was a big dollar store expense. How much research did you do again?

I dunno about you guys, but I'm not expecting to see another post from this guy

 

[tttnjfttt]

You know, if you begin photoshopping now, you can probably get the tank looking suitable and the fish looking healthy by "the end of this weekend".

 

[OohFeeshy]

I don't know what all the fuss is about, I too have a peaceful community of bettas. Look, I have photos-

Aw, photobucket screwed it up. Never mind, see, they're even smiling. And they have cover and no bitten fins.

 

[tttnjfttt]

That is AWESOME!!!!

 

[Ben]

I have the same set up as you Feeshy, except i forgot to feed them and their tails got a bit shreded

DD

 

[seffieuk]

OMG a torture chamber

 

[GSD]

nice tank OohFeeshy

i wasnt at all suprised!exaclty what i thought i would see i did,those poor fish.A well thought out setup yeah whatever!
seperate them.Or let them die.
mabe you shoul get your priorities right

 

[xxSarahxx]

Mr. Shums....

f you are in the UK, at this stage I don't even care where, you can be at the other end of the country, I will come and pick all of those fish up...free of charge. All of them will be housed in 15litre tanks INDIVIDUALLY!!
This is so unacceptable. I still can't believe you think this is a succes!! It would be funny if it wasn't so horrific.

I tell you what..... we'll put you in a small glass box with a lot of people who are going to want to fight you (the majority of the people on this forum now). We'll leave these very argumentative people who are not meant for society or are just very angry at you and see what happens...... it can be OUR experiment!! We'll have to ensure that you gets lots of cuts, a few broken bones...oh and the box must be packed full.....overstocked you might say. You can fight for oxygen and food. We'll watch you and leave you in there for at least six months... then see how you feel!!
Yes, we will have to expect him to be shredded and depressed but it will be a success as all these people have NOT KILLED YOU!!! Of course if you still do die then......well......a few losses isn't bad.....after all these aren't living, breathing, feeling things in our little glass box are they. SO all in all...no matter what happens this will be a success and we will be very proud of ourselves for doing something different.

 

[bettakid23]

OH MY FREKING GOD!!! im sorry but i think u are evil bettas are know for fighting why do you think they are called fighting fish???
look at the males poor fins i hope you are also treating them for these torn up fins.
and that tank is to small for so many. i dont think you would get away with just having that many females.
please take all the males out and look after them proper its not life for a betta