Injured Betta Fish question...

[Chickerdoodle13]

Man, my interenet decided to give me trouble and I lost my response. I hope I can type it out like I did before!

The problem with the popular thought that bettas live in rice puddles is that people just don't realize how truly LARGE a rice puddle actually is. Typically rice puddles are large enough for several male bettas to live in a single one, with each one having their own space. When the rice puddle begins to dry up, they may fight in order to gain the right to remain in that rice puddle, but this dried up state does not last forever. Typically, the rice puddle with get very small for only a few days, and then will refill with the next rain or watering of the rice fields.

We also must keep in mind that bettas has been rigorously domesticated and they look very different from their wild cousin. I wouldn't be surprised if they acted differently as well.

Ideally, a ten gallon tank is best for a betta. I don't suggest using anything smaller than one gallon, and I typically use 2.5 gallons. My bettas are quite happy in their larger tanks, and they are much more active then those you see sitting at the bottom of small bowls. However, I still feel guilty about keeping them in 2.5 gallons and not ten gallons, because I know they would be much happier with more water!

I'll try to equate this notion with something most people can relate to. A person can live in a prison cell most, if not all of their life. Just because you CAN, doesn't mean you SHOULD go around putting people in prison cells for them to live out their lives. A chicken can live it's entire life in a cramped layer cage, but that certainly does not mean the chicken is happy, nor that it SHOULD be kept there. I could go on and on.

Haha, well I'll step down off my soapbox now. I really do try not to sound nasty when I explain these things, as I really do wish to just teach people. I do understand that many people JUST DON'T KNOW. They don't mean harm, but rather they just need to be taught. So hopefully I did not come off nasty in any way, as that was not my intention. I also try to give as many examples as I can, because I realize it is difficult to relate to a fish. However, if you compare it to something else, it usually makes more sense.

 

[crazychicken]

step back up on that soapbox that was good now if you put together a information sheet and played secret Santa to the fishes in their cells at the next party maybe this wont happen again.but come on who does not know that two male betas will fight.and when the first two started to fight they should have stopped the fish instead of saying oh i don't think they like each other stares at the bowl and watches.

honestly

 

[EllyMae]

My experience with bettas isn't very extensive, BUT...mine got knocked off the counter, dumped into the sink, THEN fell into the garbage disposer(thank God no one turned it on!!!) and I didn't find him until after the fact...and he survived! They must be pretty tough.
By the way, my kitten was the guilty party

 

[Year of the Rooster]

What makes betas able to live in such small confinements is their ability to breath atmospheric air. Betas belong to a group of fish called Anabantoids. This includes betas and various species of gourami. This group is unique in that they have a special organ called a Labrinth Organ. This allows them to breath the air that we do, which is why they are able to thrive in such small bodies of water. I am also agreeing on not using anything bigger than 2 1/2 gallons of water. Betas are not picky on water quantity and most proffessional breeders use small jars. A beta is also used to still water, they do not like current. Eventually, if you had a filter that created alot of current, the beta would die from exhaustion due to the fact that it isn't built for swimming against a current.