Austin {Aquarist}

I must sound like a gerk but I was just wondering what is so great about having a betta? I know a lot of people have them and I see a lot of posts and threads and pictures about them

anyone have any insight for me?

ShaynaB

They have an awesome personality and they're darn cute! That's why! Not to mention they have stunning colors...

sirdarksol

This is going to sound glib, and you've just got to trust me that I don't mean it to be.

What's so great about guppies, cichlids, goldfish, koi, danios, mollies, or any other fish, for that matter?
It's largely a personal choice. Not many people like common and comet goldfish, but I love the guys.

In the case of bettas, and other largely singular fish, they are often very personable with "their people." Aside from that, the beautiful fins and bright colors of the bettas tend to be a huge draw, as well. Lastly, the ability to keep them in relatively small (5g+) tanks make them a good fish to start with. Many people grow attached to the first fish (or other type of pet) they keep as adults, and remain attached to that kind of creature for the rest of their lives.

Austin {Aquarist}

good point :] I know I am attached to my orginal guppy pair even though there just feeders

Shawnie

I wanna know what "glib" is ) ..and as already stated, huge personalities and color galore!

sirdarksol

Normally, I'd respond with "look it up in a dictionary", but I'm feeling particularly magnanimous today (sorry, you're going to have to look that one up), so here you go.

It means having an ease or fluency of speech that is marked by an insincere manner. In other words, a very simple statement that usually has an unpleasant undertone. Satirical is a pretty close synonym.

Shawnie

o my...dose words are wayyyyy to big for me

Main Entry: mag·nan·i·mous
Pronunciation: \mag-ˈna-nə-məs\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin magnanimus, from magnus great + animus spirit — more at much, animate
Date: 1567
1 : showing or suggesting a lofty and courageous spirit

sirdarksol

Very nice.

pamd

I've had lots of tropical and a few marine fish. With one exception I have never had a fish that shows so much personality, seems so smart and relates to me as much as a betta. I'm pretty new to betta keeping and they continue to astonish, amuse and sometimes confound me. (BTW, the exception was a Niger triggerfish named Captain Nemo. I had a marine aquarium for five years.)

Don't misunderstand. I've found lots of joy in lots of different kinds of fish and almost all of them are wonderful in their own ways. I never thought of any of the little living creatures as "decorations," but bettas are exceptional pets. Yes, truly pets. The fact that we almost all name them, photograph them, talk to them, dote (and sometimes fret) over them says something.

As you know, bettas are not generally kept in a community tank. Having a betta by itself in a small tank or with only a few compatible tankmates is a different experience from having a community tank. Not to sound "glib" it 's a more intimate human-fish relationship. Really. But of course you don't have the charms of the community tank, such as different types of fish interacting with each other. Fortunately, a small betta tank and a large community tank are not mutually exclusive if you have the money, time and space. They each have their own sets of fascinating charms.

Thanks for asking us betta fanatics about our wonderful little fishie world. If you decide to become a betta owner, welcome! You'll be a good one. I can tell for at least two reasons: You asked a good question before you considered leaping and you're capable of getting attached to feeder guppies.

chickadee

I can only say that Betta do not know that they are fish. They are not raised like most fish and do not know that other fish are like them. They form their first bonds with their humans and continue to bond with that human almost exclusively. They show mostly no interest in other fish, some will rarely show companionship with tankmates but very rarely. Mostly they want to have our attention and will do anything to have it. They show a lively personality and actively suffer without our attention.
They have emotion and show temper and spunk and are very interesting fish. They quickly become as much a part of the family as the family cat or puppy or , in my case, one of my children.

Rose

sunstrip

They are great fish...that about it...once you get one..you will know as all the posts said...............personality galore !!!!

__________________________________________________ _______
BTW

I'm impressed.............LOL !!!!!!!!!!

JOKING....ONLY JOKING !!!!!!!!!!!

COBettaCouple

They are such wonderful and intelligent fish. The personalities that they show are varied and a lot of fun. They really are a fish that will amaze a first time owner, especially when they're kept in the conditions that they thrive in (as any fish would).

MissMTS

Honestly, I used to wonder the same thing about bettas. I kept them as a kid (ignorantly) in small glass bowls and they seemed pretty unexciting. However, I decided to try again with them a few months ago and this time I knew that they need a lot of swimming room, a heater, a filter, caves, and plants. I am immensly enjoying my bettas now and I am up to 8 at this point. They are a very addicting little fish and if you get one and house it in propper conditions you will see why. They have great personalities and are beautiful fish. They definetly interact with me more than any of my other fish do. I am glad that I tried keeping bettas a second time because if you do it right, it is very rewarding.

voiceless_kat

"They each have their own sets of fascinating charms" That is a wonderful phrase, Pam, and says it all!!!!

And besides, they are naughty, haughty, egotistical, sweet little brats!!!

Val

Allie

What she said...

capekate

.. All I can add to the above is this..
Whenever I talked about my betta's with my daughter she just didnt get it.
When she finally got her own.. well, all I can say is "She is in love" lol...
and thats all she talks about is her little ' fishy love me do" haha...
They just have a certain way of getting into your heart.... no way around that!

~ kate

Shawnie

awwwwwww the things kids say...so cute kate...my grand daughter says "bishies wub me"! i just giggle..

janoue

Not only are Betta's the most colourful and brightest freshwater fish, they each have thier own little personality. I have 4 guys right now ,and my friends and family know thier names, who's who etc. Everytime one of my boys blows a bubble nest, I take pics and send them home (east coast, I now live on the west). As crazy this may sound, I would say they are a little a spoiled toddler(in a good way). If they don't get the attention they want, they pout. They normally don't want to eat what you want to feed them either. All four of my guys like different foods. They are the best little fish. My daughter wants me to set up a five gallon betta tank in her classroom so she can teach her class about fishkeeping. When my mother in law was visiting she asked me move one to the kitchen so she would have a little fishy to talk too when she was in there. They are addictive, and one is never enough.