Absolutely appalled!!

I just wanted to say that I find this forum extremely informative and stayed logged on all day to see what new things are being posted. (I know it sounds like I don't have a life but I do clean the house too!!) ;D

However, I also surf the net to find whatever information I can find about bettas because I love them so much and enjoy reading stories or tidbits of people who breed and whatnot. I came across a site this evening that has my shocked to my core. If anyone is reading this site () there are a LOT of betta fish not being cared for right. That just makes me sad. Granted, everyone has to learn at first and maybe they don't get the care they need because people are new at it (me included but I'm definitely working on it) but to give this information is just horrifying!!

This is only one of the MANY statements that aggravated me: "When you go to a pet store, you'll find rows of small bowls, each containing one colorful fish. These are male Siamese fighting fish (more properly known as a betta) and the way you find them in the pet store is essentially how they should be kept. Bettas can be kept in small containers because they are able to breathe air, like humans, as well as water. Keep the water between 70 and 80 degrees, and don't let the temperature change too quickly. Keep the bowl away from appliances that produce a lot of heat."


Sorry I just had to post this ... If I am overreacting please let me know but from what I've read, this goes against everything!!

 

I visited the site and yes it is appalling, but I must warn others to steer clear of visiting it. It carries a warning against unauthorized visits to its site. I would not want to cause an incident because of unauthorized activitiy.

The articile contains all the horrid and wrong ideas we deal with here at this site. The cramped quarters, the lack of clean & heated water, the proper feeding and the lack of love for the fish. Those fish are being bought and treated as someones little decoration and nothing more. They will not live long and perhaps mercifully as their lives will not be pleasant.

It makes me very angry and sad!

Rose
:'(

 

I must say I missed the part about unauthorized visits. I just couldn't believe what I was reading. Granted, I do not know everything there is to know about raising bettas and I probably never will but I joined this forum in hopes that I could learn more and be able to give my little guys the love and care they deserve.

I still need to get Lilex into a filtered tank but I haven't the funds right now and just recently learned that they require filtered water. Neither of the tanks are heated either. Lemme ask this, will the heater keep the water at a certain level even if it is hotter inside? I live in Texas so the water inside runs hotter than room temperature anyway. If there is another place I can find this info, could you please direct me to it?


Thanks.
Kelly

 

Unauthorized visit??? Then why do they have a public website?? Who's authorized to visit??? Strange to say the least.
Some of the containers Bettas are kept in is like asking a human to live in their toilet.
"stepping off the soap box now"
Carol

 

here's what I say: > > > > > .

 

if I were to say any thing abotu it I would be removed from this forum so fast it would be scary

 

if I were to say any thing abotu it I would be removed from this forum so fast it would be scary

We all have opinions and it may not be.

Rose
:-\

 

The "unauthorized to view page" thingie was because of errors on the web page. They are code snippets that didn't load properly.

 

Ahhhh...... thanks Mike. Maybe they need to fix their web page?
Carol

 

If the room temperature can keep the water temperature at 78 - 80 degrees all the time then it may work temporarily, but the real problem is that not only are they temperature sensitive they are also temperature CHANGE sensitive. The water temperature should stay the same all the time for them to remain healthy. I am doubting that the room temperature stays the same at night and if it allows the water temperature to drop more than 1 degree that is too much to be done on a constant basis. As far as not having filtered water yet, you really need to get test kits then and be testing for Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrates. If any of those are above 0 it is unhealthy for your fish. If you could take some readings and let us know what they are it would be appreciated. But you may end up having to do daily water changes almost to keep the toxins down until you can get a filter, depending on the size of your tank.

Rose

 

II now what you are saying my brother in law purchased 2 betas for his kids thinking they are cute, put them in a betta bole about 1/2 us gallon. He changes water every 2-4 days. those poor fish. I hope I can convince him to get some small tanks with filters.

 

So many people treat them as pretty "toys". They are living, breathing beings and they have feelings and hurt just like we do. I hope you can convince him to help them.

Rose

 

most likely he saw my 10 gallon tank and liked it, will try to convince him to get 2 small 5 gallon kits , or betta tanks with filters and heater.

 

I'll never forget the pet shop I saw in vancouver that had rows and rows of those small plastic cups that you get in water dispensing machines only HALF full of green water with bettas in them looking SO ill. It was really horrendous so I complained and they didn;t seem to care so I wrote to the store HQ but never got a reply.Very nasty...

 

People treat Bettas like room ornaments. That makes me so mad..............

 

GRRGH I know what you mean! Sure, an aquarium is a very nice piece of decor but it also contains living things that depend on you for life!

 

Its weird... even the "best" store around me (I had to drive an hour to get there, accross state lines) keeps there bettas in those tiny plastic containers. I don't get it. I'd like to know who started the whole thing that they can live like that... I mean, other labrynth fish aren't treated like that. Its all so strange.

 

Unfortunately they feel justified because the fish are not able to be housed together because of the fact that they are not called "Siamese Fighting Fish" for no reason. In their native land, they are still used for sport. The people there get two fish and put them together in a tank and let them fight until one of the fish is too weak to fight or dead. The loser is then removed from the tank and usually destroyed if it is still alive. The winner has nothing to look forward to but another round and another until he too becomes the loser.

The little containers are part of their lives from the time they are determined to be male. They are moved into them and from then until one of us buys them and gives them a different home with tank mates perhaps, they live in one small container or another. The containers the breeders keep them in are usually cleaner and are at least kept at the correct temperature and the water is filtered and treated. They are well cared for because they are valuable to them. But once they hit the pet stores they are a relatively inexpensive fish and it takes time to maintain the tanks with many fish in them. The employees are not interested in taking the time in maintaining the small containers with just one fish in it. It is not "cost effective". :'(

I am getting down from my soap box now and I hope I haven't bored you to death.

Rose

 

No you're not boring Rose! You've educated us further - everything you tell me I've learned something new! ;D

 

The sad conditions of the Betta in the LFS is what caused me to buy Fred, my first Betta. I could tell he was supposed to be beautiful, if only he had room to really spread his fins and swim around. (He was a black (body) and gold (fins), and truly unique.) I brought him home and put him in my three gallon tank, knowing it was kind of small, but at least it was better than what he'd been in.
Fred lived for two years, a very happy and spoiled fish. He learned when the feeding times were, and would flare and dance at me when I walked over to turn off the light...... unfortunately, the move into the 20 gallon seemed too much for him at that age, and he passed on. Of course, I took mercy on another male Betta (Dante) and he now graces my 20 gallon. I hope to have him for a long time, even though he will never take the place of Fred.

S.

(BTW....... Fred was named after Fred Astaire.......... all long fins (legs) and graceful dancing................)

 

What a lovely story! Thank you so much for sharing! I always love to hear about Bettas and how they change our lives (and that they do). That is a great name for what sounds like a fine fish.

Rose