Why keep bettas in a cup?

[RogerMcAllen]

As a disclaimer, I am not saying go and buy bettas to throw into your pond.

To put it nicely, my sitster is an idiot. She bought a betta, and kept it in a tiny bowl. When I went to her house, I saw how filthy it was, so I gave her a 10 gallon tank to put it in, half filled with water. I then explained how she needed to do water changes. The next time I was there, the water in the larger tank was just as bad as the bowl, so I took the betta away. As I had nothing good to keep the betta in, I decided to coral off a portion of my pond for him to live in until I could get all of the things I would need to house him well. Apparently he didn't like his corral. When I got home from work today, I found that he had hopped out and was in the main part of my pond. He loves all of the room, and even swims out over the deep end (5'). He loves the space, and roams the entire lenght (something like ~5'x25').

As far as being concerned for the fish, my dad sits by the pond in the evenings and is watching him to make sure none of the other fish bully him. Also, I maintain temps between 75-80 so that should not be too much of an issue. I will keep monitering him and take him out at any signs of distress. Any advice or criticism for keeping him happy in my pond?

[lmw80]

[acronym:4c7d8b9ffd="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:4c7d8b9ffd], it's pefectly fine as long as he is happy and healthy. In the wild they don't grow up in contained aquariums, they grow up in huge, "puddles". I think it's great! My only concern would be the colder weather.

[SquishyFish]

Well, first you have to know a little about the fish. They come from the rice fields of vietnam (or some place simular) and are accustomed to living in very small enclosed spaces. They are highly territorial and will even attack their own reflection. Because they chose an area to defend as theirs, they dont do as well in larger tanks...especially open ones.

Just as an interesting note...They have a lung that allows them to breathe air...they used to be shipped in wet news paper because it was cheaper and they didnt have a problem surviving the trip.

[lmw80]

The "puddles" they come from in Vietnam are not as small as people fist think. Bettas do incredibly well in large tanks. Bettas can be community tank mates as long as they are not housed with other male bettas. Other small, long-finned species should be avoided as well. Other than that, bettas keep to their own.

I had a betta in my 46 gallon community tank, and he did perfectly fine, and I know people that have kept a betta in a much larger community tank.

Bettas are labrynth fish, which means, yes they do breath air, however, the only requirement for that is to be able to get to the water's surface. Although bettas are accustomed to living in small spaces, they are not happy in small spaces.

That's like saying that if a poor person wins the lottery, they should stay in their one room apartment with 5 other people, because they are accustomed to living in it and don't need a bigger apartment or home.

[SquishyFish]

Its not eactly the same since were dealing with a fish...and a human (higher level brain function.


I'm out of the debate. Ya'll have fun.

[Menagerie]

Originally Posted by SquishyFish

Fish are people too!

Originally Posted by SquishyFish

Its not eactly the same since were dealing with a fish...and a human (higher level brain function.

Anyway, I think you did the right thing by taking the betta. He must feel like the king of the world right now! I know come cooler weather, your new friend will have a warm tank waiting inside.

[RogerMcAllen]

Yep, I did think of cold weather. The heater and silk plants are already on their way from BigAl's. And I definately found out how fast it can get cold with the plecs I experimented with a few years back, so I will get him out by the end of August.

The only concern is that I don't think he realizes that the bullfrog is a living animal. He hides underneath the frog as though it were a cave.

[Menagerie]

The only concern is that I don't think he realizes that the bullfrog is a living animal. He hides underneath the frog as though it were a cave.

Protection from the sun!

[SquishyFish]

Originally Posted by Menagerie

Anyway, I think you did the right thing by taking the betta. He must feel like the king of the world right now! I know come cooler weather, your new friend will have a warm tank waiting inside.

The "fish are people too" thing is a joke...

[RogerMcAllen]

Just a bit of an update, the betta decided to shatter a few other myths. I often find him hanging out underneath waterfalls, which is anything but calm water. He also likes to hang out in the deep end with the goldies sometimes, 3'-4' down.