Something needs to change...

[Koda]

I gotta agree.Breeding fish is a responsibility just as with any creature.There are enough cute puppies,kittens,and fish who have no homes.

I have several female bettas and several males as well.I even have some cute lil crowntail girls.And maybe they would produce some pretty babies.That doesn't mean that they should.Aquabid is full of beautiful fish and yet many are never even bid on.That might just be a clue

That being said...I DO wish a better variety of betta was available in my area.But I also know that I lack the time and the experience to be responsible breeder.Unless that changes my fishies are just gonna have to be single

Koda

 

[Sorrell]

Hi there. I am glad for the most part people are agreeing with Julie and myself. I would like to add however that we are in no way discouraging people from asking questions about their bettas! We are encouraging people to research and ask questions before they jump into anything. It seems that lately someone will say "I am thinking about breeding my bettas what do I need?" and they will get a response like "A male and female" and then ten posts saying "Good luck!" Those of us with experience need to jump in and educate the potential breeder be it through links, articles, experience, etc. No one should feel like they can't post, but we need to inform them honestly and not just send them on their way.

 

[juliethegr8t]

It seems that lately someone will say "I am thinking about breeding my bettas what do I need?" and they will get a response like "A male and female" and then ten posts saying "Good luck!" Those of us with experience need to jump in and educate the potential breeder be it through links, articles, experience, etc.

Exactly how I feel. That is a big part of the problem. People either encourage breeding to those who are uneducated, or don't really help educate. If people are coming here to ask questions, by all means that is wonderful... but we ALL need to provide USEFUL and IMPORTANT info. I'm sick of seeing people saying that it's no big deal, blah blah. There is so much to it, and I'm feeling like a lot of the more experienced or even educated betta owners are constantly having to step in and correct or add information. Just don't contribute if you don't know your stuff.

 

[nibbles]

there is a pinned topic about breeding bettas. ive seen people ask questions in the forum over and over again that are answered in the pinned topic.. makes no sense to me why they wouldnt read it. keep in mind a lot of members are very young and probably shouldnt even be attempting to breed or keep fish.

 

[Phantom Thief]

there is a pinned topic about breeding bettas. ive seen people ask questions in the forum over and over again that are answered in the pinned topic.. makes no sense to me why they wouldnt read it. keep in mind a lot of members are very young and probably shouldnt even be attempting to breed or keep fish.

So because i am 14 i shouldn't keep fish?

P.T.

 

[Koda]

there is a pinned topic about breeding bettas. ive seen people ask questions in the forum over and over again that are answered in the pinned topic.. makes no sense to me why they wouldnt read it. keep in mind a lot of members are very young and probably shouldnt even be attempting to breed or keep fish.

So because i am 14 i shouldn't keep fish?

P.T.

I'm not sure I'd count 14 in the "very young" category, although that may be a matter of opinion.And as with all things there are exceptions.Some 14 year olds are far more mature and responsible than others.And there are also adults who should not be allowed to have pets...or children

Looking at your sig and having read some of your posts,I would guess you have what it takes to be a fine fishkeeper

Koda

 

[cutecotton]

though i think julie and others have hit what other members have wanted to say for a while and waht not, i'm afraid we might be discouraging some REAL people who are truly looking to breed bettas, but would now be afraid to ask questions regarding breeding thinking that ppl will think that they are breeding just "for fun" or not "professionally" enough

While i agree that there are some "impulsive" breeders around, i'm sure there are some real ones who have done their part of the research, and want some help on thier first spawn.

just my two cents

 

[jacblades]

heres my little betta book i made before i started breeding.

i think im actually missing a few pages
i even made dividers for the sections and so...
i couldnt find a ruler so thats my finger by it to show how thick it is.
theres actually tons more i could have put in there but was just tired of printing out page after page...this actually took several months to complete.
i only took the best of what each site had to offer. hey-if i had printed out all of bettatalk and waynes site-it would be ten feet tall...

thats my research

i think its handy to at least have some pages on diseases printed out in case of emergency.

 

[rollntider]

heres my little betta book i made before i started breeding.

i think im actually missing a few pages
i even made dividers for the sections and so...
i couldnt find a ruler so thats my finger by it to show how thick it is.
theres actually tons more i could have put in there but was just tired of printing out page after page...this actually took several months to complete.
i only took the best of what each site had to offer. hey-if i had printed out all of bettatalk and waynes site-it would be ten feet tall...

thats my research

i think its handy to at least have some pages on diseases printed out in case of emergency.

I bookmarked a ton of web pages and even copied some to a word doc....

 

[jacblades]

i have 568074525982594 bookmarked. i just htink its easier to have it all in one place and organized.
i made it while i was living in a dorm. i didnt have the internet in my room so i would read this when i had the urge to study up.
heh-i even had my first spawn in my dorm room

 

[tekknocolor]

though i think julie and others have hit what other members have wanted to say for a while and waht not, i'm afraid we might be discouraging some REAL people who are truly looking to breed bettas, but would now be afraid to ask questions regarding breeding thinking that ppl will think that they are breeding just "for fun" or not "professionally" enough

While i agree that there are some "impulsive" breeders around, i'm sure there are some real ones who have done their part of the research, and want some help on thier first spawn.

just my two cents

That's exactly what I was thinking. I don't want those that are thinking about breeding be deterred because they're afraid of asking questions.

Very often I see that someone will post a thread saying they want to breed and ask what they may need. And too often I find the response telling them to research the topic, which can be taken negatively. Rather than telling them to research (which I believe is the reason they ask in the first place) why not tell them the information you've researched. Tell them all it entails, requirements and future plans for fries etc, and they can decide if they are ready for such a challenge. Very often you will find that they will decide they are not ready for a committment like that.

And I agree, if you don't know anything about breeding, don't respond to the thread. There are plenty of pros that can give accurate answers/advice.

I don't mean to offend anyone, but wanted to show another perspective. Thanks for reading my novella ...

-- Leigh Ann

 

[juliethegr8t]

Very often I see that someone will post a thread saying they want to breed and ask what they may need. And too often I find the response telling them to research the topic, which can be taken negatively. Rather than telling them to research (which I believe is the reason they ask in the first place) why not tell them the information you've researched. Tell them all it entails, requirements and future plans for fries etc, and they can decide if they are ready for such a challenge. Very often you will find that they will decide they are not ready for a committment like that.

I think we tell them to research because we are so darned sick of writing the same thing over and over again. This breeding question comes up SO often that it's just way easier to say research, or read the pinned topic. There is SOOOO much information that needs to be told, it would honestly take up a page itself if we typed it all out. Sorrell told me recently she is ready to make a document of her own and just copy and paste it to all those interested. Maybe we aren't taking the time we should be, but maybe they aren't either.

 

[tekknocolor]

Very often I see that someone will post a thread saying they want to breed and ask what they may need. And too often I find the response telling them to research the topic, which can be taken negatively. Rather than telling them to research (which I believe is the reason they ask in the first place) why not tell them the information you've researched. Tell them all it entails, requirements and future plans for fries etc, and they can decide if they are ready for such a challenge. Very often you will find that they will decide they are not ready for a committment like that.

I think we tell them to research because we are so darned sick of writing the same thing over and over again. This breeding question comes up SO often that it's just way easier to say research, or read the pinned topic. There is SOOOO much information that needs to be told, it would honestly take up a page itself if we typed it all out. Sorrell told me recently she is ready to make a document of her own and just copy and paste it to all those interested. Maybe we aren't taking the time we should be, but maybe they aren't either.

Oh I agree, they should do the research. And I'm sure it gets tiring that a lot of you do end up repeating yourselves. I'm not trying to blame anyone for anything and agree with you that it is a two way street. Maybe we can all be a little more patient and just link them to the pinned topic and once that's done then maybe they will come back with more of an understanding? I don't know either. I do say though: Good luck to all you breeders that do have the patience to deal with your spawns and other's questions concerning breeding! Anyone that has the time/committment gets a kudos in my book

YAY for bettas!

 

[GP]

This topic was needed. Nothing else should be said about it. You should be completely prepared, and able to answer peoples questions, not ask questions. However, your first statement saying "Don't ask people to breed bettas, because they might just do so"

This makes it sound like you breeding bettas is an addiction. Also, it makes it sound like you don't want the peer pressure. They are your bettas, you do as you wish. However, I can understand that when people ask for bettas, they are making you their humble servent, waiting for you to "serve" them their orders. Annoying at it's finest.

 

[GP]

Can we Pin this?