Something needs to change...

[juliethegr8t]

Disclaimer: I'm not naming any names, and most certainly not accusing anyone an particular, so don't anyone take this personally. I'm also generalizing, and I realize there are many exceptions to these things. It's my own feelings and observations, feel free to disagree or agree.

Alright some things in particular are getting old and very frustrating to me on this board, and especially in this particular area (Bettas & Gouramis). It seems to me that the breeding of bettas by either new or uneducated owners is getting WAY out of hand. All the time I am seeing several things:

1. People asking members if they are going to breed their bettas, or telling them that they should... usually after photos are posted. Even just comments like "those two would make nice babies" is encouragement to me. This just really isn't cool, because so often these people say "Ok, great idea!!" and hop right into spawning. Also, like 90% of the time, the bettas people comment on like this are pet store bettas.... they shouldn't be bred. That's pretty much a rule, unless you have some special reason or way to get rid of the 200+ fry. Mutts just aren't gonna get you anywhere. Can we please stop encouraging people to breed, even just by withholding these comments?

2. People saying breeding isn't hard, or that anyone can do it, or that someone who has a male and female should go for it! I have seen countless posts where someone asks about breeding, or is in process, and many members encourage it or say it's not hard. It IS hard, no matter how lucky someone has been. Conditioning IS important... it isn't necessary, but it's for the health of the fish. Isn't that what we care about?! Or maybe what we SHOULD care about... So many people are not prepared, and just throw their fish together. It's not that easy. I'm not saying you can't get fry out of it, beecause you most certainly can, but mom and dad just won't be as healthy, any way you look at it.

3. Let's just say if you're new to bettas, or even have been keeping them for awhile and haven't done your research, you shouldn't breed. Don't have a great pair? Probably shouldn't breed. Research is key. At least read the pinned topic at the top of this forum, but gosh... I probably did 20 hours of research before I attempted my first spawn. There are tons of sites out there, and all have different info, so go find it!! If the health of your bettas is first and foremost (like it should be), then take this advice.

*pant* I forgot half of what I was gonna say... but that's the basis of it. I'll post more later if it comes to me.

thanks for listening, yeo wahookie.

 

[The-Wolf]

I'm new to bettas, I just brought a male and femle and I have no Intesions of breeding at this moment in time.

I aggree with all that you said Julie, as a newbie to these wonderfull fish I will, at some point try to breed them but only after doing my research.
Its not just bettas but all fish that people should have the health as the #1 priority

good for you on posting this

 

[Sorrell]

I totally agree and I can't remember most of what we talked about today either

A couple other things...

1. Time. Conditioning alone is time consuming, feeding and water changes to get them in tip top shape can be stressful on it's own. That's just the start. People need to remember that they are responsible for these fish. Its not like you have fry and then you go on your way. If you don't have the time to care for the fry, you need to breed a different fish. Pretty soon you'll be doing water changes on your growouts and 100 jars, plus however many adults you have.

2. Goals. What is the purpose of your spawn? Personally and as Julie has said, pet shop bettas or any VTs are not really helping bettas at all. You have absolutely no idea what your fry will look like, and you sure won't be doing anything for finnage. If you are serious, then invest the money into a nice pair, which you know the history on that you can benefit the species.

3. Planning. I feel like I see many people who do not have growout tanks, or even have a clue that they are necessary. Also I often wonder what people are thinking the fry will eat. These are things that need to be planned out and purchased prior to the spawning.

4. The future. So many times I see people saying that they are interested in spawing and they say they plan to sell the fry to pet shops or give them to friends. Most pet shops have deals with distributors and they don't want your bettas (aside from quality bettas and different tail types) either way this is someting that needs to be discussed prior to the actual spawning. As far as friends and family go, maybe some of you are very popular, but personally I don't have 300 friends who want bettas.

I am not trying to sound mean either, but in the best interest of the fish (which is why we're hear right?) I think research is so important. If you don't have time to research, you definately do not have time to breed.

Thanks for listening, yeo wahookie.

 

[wuvmybetta]

maybe some of you are very popular, but personally I don't have 300 friends who want bettas.

LOL! No kidding though

Well said,ladies! And a much needed reminder I might add. There's nothing more aggravating then spending months and months researching and preparing,only to be asked by some person:
"oh no! My bettas just spawned, I have fry...what do I do?!?"

It really is something that shouldn't be taken lightly. Baby bettas are messy and hungry all the time. The thought of people growing tired of them is heartbreaking

 

[cutechic]

Wow, thanks for posting this, Julie. You and Sorrell have voiced my exact opinions. You girls rock!

 

[treefrog]

To be brief, you hit the nail on the head! Thanks for stepping up about something that has been bothering alot of us!

 

[jacblades]

AMEN!

and when you try to convince others about the hardships of breeding-they tell you that you are being "rude" or unsupportive...at least ime
yay julie!
perhaps this can be pinned?

There's nothing more aggravating then spending months and months researching and preparing,only to be asked by some person:
"oh no! My bettas just spawned, I have fry...what do I do?!?"

AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!

 

[Arashi]

I totally agree with all thats been said. Well done Julie and Sorrell! Way to say whats been bothering most of us, I'm sure, for quite a while. I applaud you both.

 

[Grams]

yay finnally someone who posts what aching in thier head, i totally feel what your talking about.

 

[tekknocolor]

I agree with what has been said and don't plan on breeding any bettas now or in the future. Even with all that was advised, I think people are going to do it anyway. At least if they do it, they can still post what they are doing and get good advice or suggestions. Those that are new and trying to breed their bettas may get intimidated by this thread and feel ashamed and may end up killing their bettas because they don't want to be ostracized for not doing it the same way as those of you who have been breeding for a long time. They are their bettas, afterall. (I know you guys are probably sick of me playing devil's advocate, but if not me I'm sure someone else is thinking the same thing.) Believe me, it upsets me too, but you do learn from your mistakes...

(Don't be mad, I am only giving a different view.)

Wanted to add, you definitely do need to do the research and have the dedication before jumping in!

Thanks for hearing me out.

-- Leigh Ann

 

[rollntider]

True I think you should breed them if you do proper planning. I also would think a majority of people on here would not on a whim just breed them. Most of the people are here to get some advice and when they ask it, I am sure people will let them know the steps to take to properly breed them.

 

[bkk_group]

if people really knew how much dedication, time and effort is involved they might think twice. i have said before that not every betta needs to be bred.
please do as much research as possible before considering, make sure all the bases are covered. think ahead a few months, will you have time to do all the water changes and live food culturing needed for those babies to survive and grow into healthy adults? if it's just a whim, maybe you should reconsider. anyone who wonders what it takes should ask my wife how much time she puts into it every day when i'm at work. honestly, i wish i could spend more time with them but someones gotta put the bread on the table. what i'm saying is that if you work fulltime or go to school and don't have a partner willing to help you probably don't have enough time.

 

[coconutman39]

wow good job on all that. speaking from experiance as a newbie to fish, i wanted to breed right off the bat. but i waited and now i can say i think i know alot about bettas even though i dont post all that much about it. im breeding my bettas very soon, and i have plans for the fry and the parents will be pampered very well before and after. i, like bkk said, go to school and have enlisted my work at home mom to feed and check on the fry while im at school. this is all just lots of work to see your creations(well your happy bettas creations) hopefully be sold to great owners and be loved. sorry i rambled, good posts.

 

[Jess]

Im going to agree with tekknocolor...

Im new to bettas, only having had three - i have a male and female at the moment and have no plans of breeding them in the near future. Though, id hope that if i did decide to try it (after giving it a LOT of thought and research of course) i would get some help and advice from the experienced breeders on here.
I understand where the 'breeders' here are coming from totally, and it is all about making sure the fish are well cared for but you all started somewhere! I definately dont agree with doing it because it 'looks fun', thats just stupid, but if you've really thought about it, and have fish that are good enough to breed from, and have sorted out what to do with the hundreds of fish produced, why not breed them!?

Like Tekknocolor said, dont be mad! Just another point of view. Im definately not an expert...

Jess

 

[fourplayfishy]

i also completely agree... ok i know i may ask my fair share about splitting tanks and stuff but thats only because im on my first betta (not first fish but first one requireing mass amounts of care because it cant sit there and tell you what it needs) like i know i want girly fishys but i know that when i breed in a few years what 2 colours id actrually like to try... and they are rare so i need the money to do it... and id never breed on a whim... unless they are fancy tailed guppies... i kept 3 girls and 3 guys together and wound up with over 40 guppies at one point in a 10 gal but o well...

you are right... but NO NEWBIES THROW OUT UR FISHIES!!!