Why Do Pet Stores Do It?

[p.hishy]

It's a way to make a profit. If you look closely at small, plastic tanks, you can find one with the word "betta" on it and it's $10 because it comes with a spit of gravel and a teeny plant while you can get the same container minus the gravel/plant for like $3 because it doesn't have the word "betta" on it. I've noticed this at my LFS's.

 

[kpintheshed]

i dont agree about bettas being in bowls but its a hard world and everything is more or less Business, it pays the persons food

 

[Viettxboii]

Its like how it is with the environment, seeing as were destroying it to make new homes , and buildings, all the while killing wildlife , and hte environment alike.
In reality fishkeepers try to attempt to save fish and provide htem with good homes, but then, really when we think about it, have we condemned fishes?
Seeing as how ive heard countless people who work in LFS see hte mortality rate of the amount of fish that come in each day, so how i see it, for every fish we save, at least 10 more die, and really, is that what we want? And don't forget the trauma htee fish are put through when there being imported, which not many surive, then those that do survive breed, and if htey end up with a bad owner, more and more fish get killed unfairly, where inteh environtment they hunt and get hunted, fair play.
One good case is the betta, whom the majority have ot suffer hte small confines of a tiny bowl
Then comes to the point of live plants, with the more light is good. As far as im concerned most people are trying to use brighter LOWER wattage lightbulbs rather then keep upping amount of electricity being used, therefore using more electricy, and creating more carbon emmisions, which will ultimately lead to global warming,destroying more life, and marine fish and corals through el nino.
Its like in the moive The Inconvenient truth where Al Gore weighs Earth on one side and gold on the other, and most people in this day and age, as it wouldd seem choose the gold side, but then really, whatss the use of gold if everythings dead, and earth turns uninhabitable, and is left a barren dessert?
Really no matter what governments try to do to help the environment, they wont do anything seriously, because in they dont want to risk theireconomy on that, and not willing to take the cut on that .
I gtg for now ill complete this when i get home.

 

[Myrrh]

Why Do They Do It?​

Because they can! Because they make a lot of money doing it. Because people buy them.​

I, personally, know two people who bought Bettas because they saw the cute bowls online and thought they'd be cool as decorative items. The fish came later, from-- of course-- a pet store-- right after the cute bowls arrived! One of these people ditched the bowl after deciding to keep her three Bettas in Brandy Snifters and a tall, cylindrical vase that's only about 2" in diameter, if that!​

Somebody is marketing them as pets to keep in vases! We see pictures of those set-ups everywhere!​

The average person who buys his/her first Betta is looking for something more exotic than a goldfish, but just as pretty and easy to keep, for the office, kitchen, or kid's bedroom.​

Aquarium setups are expen$ive. "Betta Bowls" are not.​

Betta Displays in many pet stores are set up on endcaps, with the poor fishies in small containers, ready to go. Bowls, food, and Betta supplies are right there. They fit on the endcap. Everything is small, and cheap (except, perhaps, for the bottled water). They're marketed to be an "impulse buy," which makes an inexpensive, convenient-to-find set-up part of rationalising the impulse. "I got everything I need for this fish for only $20, including the fish, and the food will last a year!"​

Bettas in pet stores are cheap; it follows to reason that it should be inexpensive to keep one. After all, it's only one pretty fish that lives alone, right?​

Most of the salespeople in pet stores don't know anything beyond what's printed on the packaging.​

The packaging says "Betta Bowl" or something similar. Smart salespeople often try to get the customer to go for a bigger tank; but folks don't readily part with a lot of cash for impulse-buys.​

Impulse-Buys make money for all stores, even pet stores! In some cases, if the fish is lucky and gets owners that care for it, they ultimately do research and wind up buying a bigger tank.​

If the fish isn't lucky, and its owners really are buying a decorative item, when it dies, they just buy a new fish. Cheap fish don't last that long, right?​

Regardless of the scenario, pet stores still have sold those tiny bowls.​

Why do we create a demand that takes Bettas out of their natural environment, subjects them to the stress of handling, shipping, unnatural climate and food, and find it acceptable because we give them bigger, better living conditions than "Betta-Bowls" provide? ​

​

I'm Guilty, Too! ​

​

 

[Viettxboii]

Why Do They Do It?​

Because they can! Because they make a lot of money doing it. Because people buy them.​

I, personally, know two people who bought Bettas because they saw the cute bowls online and thought they'd be cool as decorative items. The fish came later, from-- of course-- a pet store-- right after the cute bowls arrived! One of these people ditched the bowl after deciding to keep her three Bettas in Brandy Snifters and a tall, cylindrical vase that's only about 2" in diameter, if that!​

Somebody is marketing them as pets to keep in vases! We see pictures of those set-ups everywhere!​

The average person who buys his/her first Betta is looking for something more exotic than a goldfish, but just as pretty and easy to keep, for the office, kitchen, or kid's bedroom.​

Aquarium setups are expen$ive. "Betta Bowls" are not.​

Betta Displays in many pet stores are set up on endcaps, with the poor fishies in small containers, ready to go. Bowls, food, and Betta supplies are right there. They fit on the endcap. Everything is small, and cheap (except, perhaps, for the bottled water). They're marketed to be an "impulse buy," which makes an inexpensive, convenient-to-find set-up part of rationalising the impulse. "I got everything I need for this fish for only $20, including the fish, and the food will last a year!"​

Bettas in pet stores are cheap; it follows to reason that it should be inexpensive to keep one. After all, it's only one pretty fish that lives alone, right?​

Most of the salespeople in pet stores don't know anything beyond what's printed on the packaging.​

The packaging says "Betta Bowl" or something similar. Smart salespeople often try to get the customer to go for a bigger tank; but folks don't readily part with a lot of cash for impulse-buys.​

Impulse-Buys make money for all stores, even pet stores! In some cases, if the fish is lucky and gets owners that care for it, they ultimately do research and wind up buying a bigger tank.​

If the fish isn't lucky, and its owners really are buying a decorative item, when it dies, they just buy a new fish. Cheap fish don't last that long, right?​

Regardless of the scenario, pet stores still have sold those tiny bowls.​

Why do we create a demand that takes Bettas out of their natural environment, subjects them to the stress of handling, shipping, unnatural climate and food, and find it acceptable because we give them bigger, better living conditions than "Betta-Bowls" provide? ​

​

I'm Guilty, Too! ​

​

And then we breed fish that if htey manage to escape into the wild population, will cripple that population , as colors will attract predators, albeit, they may be more hardy(not sure in the wild though) theyre more colorful.
Some fish are bred to gain long/big tails that weigh them down and make it ahrder to swim, such as bettas and guppies for example.
and due to supply and demand people buy bettas right?
therefore as long as there is a demand for a pretty ornamental fish, which supposedly require nothing but a few feedings a week,
and clean water, people will buy into them assuming their easy to care for and and an otherwise cheap pet, to get their kids to shut up right?
Sorry to be rude at society, but the majority of people have lost their sense of respect ot the environment, like how we always try to throw thigns at seagulls, or poke at rodents we see, or light bugs on fire etc etc, or in bettas cases, keeping them in miniscule bowls or fighting them. Then theres the fact that were destroying our own planet, and say "let the future deal with it" what if its too late by then because at this point , pollution is skyrocketing and perhaps by then, by the time i may have kdis of my own(AS IF HAHAH i cant even get a girlfriend, and surprisingly my 7 year old brother has had a few, kids these days , that proves how whacked up society is)
So really as Myrrh said above about impulsive buys, thats what slap those bettas into those deplorable conditions,
So what do you think guys do i get an "A" on my rant? HAHA

 

[gta1628]

Yeah it's pretty inhumane, the worst of them are the little tank sized "cups" for bettas. They are literally cups. Btw I haven't heard of bettas mininum size tank being even 1 gallon. The pet stores seem to think a quart is the minimum. A QUART! I just moved my betta from a gallon to a five and he is infinately happier in the 5g.

 

[Lord Spooky]

ugh i hate the people who make these things. I have a 2 Macaw parrots who do not have cages. They literally fly around my house and poop in the cat box in the basement. (amazing aint it) Then they can go outside if they want. I don't think keeping a bird in a cage that is small is good. Why keep a fish in a small tank. Bettas live in shallow rice patties in the wild or even in large puddles in jungles. These can stretch for miles allowing the betta room 3g at least is what i think. Right now i have a betta in a 3 gal, a 10,gal, a 5 gal, and a 35 gal community.

 

[Lord Spooky]

Why Do They Do It?​

Because they can! Because they make a lot of money doing it. Because people buy them.​

I, personally, know two people who bought Bettas because they saw the cute bowls online and thought they'd be cool as decorative items. The fish came later, from-- of course-- a pet store-- right after the cute bowls arrived! One of these people ditched the bowl after deciding to keep her three Bettas in Brandy Snifters and a tall, cylindrical vase that's only about 2" in diameter, if that!​

Somebody is marketing them as pets to keep in vases! We see pictures of those set-ups everywhere!​

The average person who buys his/her first Betta is looking for something more exotic than a goldfish, but just as pretty and easy to keep, for the office, kitchen, or kid's bedroom.​

Aquarium setups are expen$ive. "Betta Bowls" are not.​

Betta Displays in many pet stores are set up on endcaps, with the poor fishies in small containers, ready to go. Bowls, food, and Betta supplies are right there. They fit on the endcap. Everything is small, and cheap (except, perhaps, for the bottled water). They're marketed to be an "impulse buy," which makes an inexpensive, convenient-to-find set-up part of rationalising the impulse. "I got everything I need for this fish for only $20, including the fish, and the food will last a year!"​

Bettas in pet stores are cheap; it follows to reason that it should be inexpensive to keep one. After all, it's only one pretty fish that lives alone, right?​

Most of the salespeople in pet stores don't know anything beyond what's printed on the packaging.​

The packaging says "Betta Bowl" or something similar. Smart salespeople often try to get the customer to go for a bigger tank; but folks don't readily part with a lot of cash for impulse-buys.​

Impulse-Buys make money for all stores, even pet stores! In some cases, if the fish is lucky and gets owners that care for it, they ultimately do research and wind up buying a bigger tank.​

If the fish isn't lucky, and its owners really are buying a decorative item, when it dies, they just buy a new fish. Cheap fish don't last that long, right?​

Regardless of the scenario, pet stores still have sold those tiny bowls.​

Why do we create a demand that takes Bettas out of their natural environment, subjects them to the stress of handling, shipping, unnatural climate and food, and find it acceptable because we give them bigger, better living conditions than "Betta-Bowls" provide? ​

​

I'm Guilty, Too! ​

​

And then we breed fish that if htey manage to escape into the wild population, will cripple that population , as colors will attract predators, albeit, they may be more hardy(not sure in the wild though) theyre more colorful.
Some fish are bred to gain long/big tails that weigh them down and make it ahrder to swim, such as bettas and guppies for example.
and due to supply and demand people buy bettas right?
therefore as long as there is a demand for a pretty ornamental fish, which supposedly require nothing but a few feedings a week,
and clean water, people will buy into them assuming their easy to care for and and an otherwise cheap pet, to get their kids to shut up right?
Sorry to be rude at society, but the majority of people have lost their sense of respect ot the environment, like how we always try to throw thigns at seagulls, or poke at rodents we see, or light bugs on fire etc etc, or in bettas cases, keeping them in miniscule bowls or fighting them. Then theres the fact that were destroying our own planet, and say "let the future deal with it" what if its too late by then because at this point , pollution is skyrocketing and perhaps by then, by the time i may have kdis of my own(AS IF HAHAH i cant even get a girlfriend, and surprisingly my 7 year old brother has had a few, kids these days , that proves how whacked up society is)
So really as Myrrh said above about impulsive buys, thats what slap those bettas into those deplorable conditions,
So what do you think guys do i get an "A" on my rant? HAHA

O and i more thing. I agree with everything you said except for the part you say "what if its too late" I think its already to late we royally F**ked up our planet. A few people are trying to fix it while a few million still destroy it.

 

[leec]

Just out of disgusted interest I worked out the volumes of the 'tanks' linked to - the last one is max 1.8 litres or 3 pints. I think a US gallon is 3.75 litres? meaning the 'tank' is 1/2 gallon. A shame to think companies are trying to make money this way by encouraging mis-treatment of fish

LEE

 

[Lord Spooky]

Yeah there pretty darn small. I wish for one day people could just realize what there making and what it does. I mean must be nice not know you basicaly kill thousands of fish each month. Wouldent it be nice if for a day everything would just stop and we could get out heads on right?.


AHHH who am i kidding like that could ever happen. O i hope theres aliens because when they decided to invade us ill leave with them and take my fish. Pretty awesome idea.

 

[mommyof2bettas]

It's just sick
The biggest one I think is the green one... the only thing that's good for is a mw culture
The others are just expensive drinking cups...

 

[Myrrh]

Healthy Planet, Happy People?​

O and i more thing. I agree with everything you said except for the part you say "what if its too late" I think its already to late we royally F**ked up our planet. A few people are trying to fix it while a few million still destroy it.

Did Somebody Say "Rant?" ​

Unless we live in homes made of materials from the earth (stone, wood, adobe brick, etc.), with no electricty, plumbing, hardware, formica, telephones, automobiles, cell phones or computers, we are all adding to the problem. At least we're aware of it, some folks are doing something about it, and kids are learning how to "green" up their life-styles.​

Nobody unplugs the computer when s/he is finished using it, and many folks never turn it off. Every single gizmo in your home that runs off electricity, and remains plugged in while turned off, still draws power! That's an incredible amount of wasted resources and unnecessary polution.​

This year, scientists discovered that millions of bees have died because they couldn't find their way back to their hives; it is still happening. The disorientation is said to be the result of GWEN (Ground Wave Emergency Network), Microwave Arrays and Mobile Phone Radiation . I am not an alarmist, but when bees can't pollinate, we (and our livestock) don't get food; that spells Famine, and it's happening now: not in the ozone that deterioates and increases global-warming a bit more every decade, but right at ground level, where we live. It is affecting us today. Those currents also affect our fish and livestock who do not find such things "in the wild," and for all we know, it affects us, too. (Actually, some experts say that it does affect us!)​

We can't do much about GWEN, but when was the last time any of us decided to stop using our cell phones (no texting, either!), or to pull our own microwave ovens out of the kitchen, or not to go online more than once a day, or to unplug the DVD player, CD player, microwave oven, or television set when not in use, or even when going on vacation? Or only to raise the kinds of fish that do not require the use of additional power in order to maintain optimal conditions? ​

I made vegetable planters this year out of discarded (they're free! your local garage has to pay to get rid of them) tires that I cut "petals" from along one side, turned inside out, and painted. They'll last forever. It isn't much, but it's a start. Three of my neighbors asked where they could buy the planters! ​

When I was growing up, we simply were not allowed to sit in the house doing nothing. That means that the TV wasn't on all day, and nobody hung out online. Families shared one car; we had to cooperate. We survived and had great social lives without cell phones. Somehow, our folks knew, or suspected, that anything that remained plugged in was costing money-- so they often unplugged whatever wasn't in use! Noooo.... I am not that old! And it's easier for me, with that role-model, to unplug and not to use my cell phone unless I have to.​

It is easy to sit here and to write about "They who won't help make Earth healthy;" but what have we done today to ease the burden of our planet that may be an inconvenience to us? I think it boils down to the reality that there are things that most of us simply will not give up, period. Perhaps it's the blow-dryer, or the tropical-fish set-up, or the computer, or the car, or -- well, whatever. The point is that we're all guity, and pointing fingers of blame never helped anyone get anywhere. We learn by example. Education addresses many problematic situations, and it's up to us to set positive models for the future of our country: its children.​

At very least, stop killing bees. If you slowly move away, or gently blow into the wind, changing air-current, they will go away; maybe they will find their hives.​

Most of all, we can only make this planet better by sacrificing some of the creature comforts that technology has given to us. Which ones will it be for you? ​

Peace Out, from A True Flower Child! ​

​

Myrrh​

​

You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus. -Mark Twain​