Another sad betta story

Last night, me and my mom went down to my sister's house for part of a house-warming party type thing. They have a betta....living in a 1 gallon bowl that's inside this tv box type thing. They hardly change the water (was told that they have gone up to 30 days without a water change) and they have no water conditioner. And, get this, the 1 gallon bowl is only filled myabe 2/3rds of the way up becausethey don't think it would like more room :-\. So, I tried to start out by telling my sister to at least change the water every couple of days and buy a water conditioner of some sort, but since the fish has been with her for several months so far and isn't dead, it must be ok according to her. She wouldn't listen to any suggestions I had, and then gave me this about how she doesn't have time and the fish is "on the bottom of the totem poll."

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!!!!!!! If you are going to have a pet, it's rediculous to think you wouldn't at least attempt to give it the best care. She acted like the fish was a "thing" and it doesn't have any wants or needs to be happy. It's all fine and dandy sitting in the bottom of a small, not even filled bowl with no water changes.

He used to be an amazing looking "shiny" light blue and very active, now he's a dull, dark blue and looks miserable. Poor little guy :'(

 

> If only there where a way to have people arrested for cruelty and neglect towards fish! Believe me, I'd happily turn in my own sister for that! Luckily we were all raised to consider animals family members and their needs come before anything else!

 

Well if she doesn't have time for him, maybe you could adopt him from her?

 

Well if she doesn't have time for him, maybe you could adopt him from her?

I'd love to, but don't have the room or $$$ for another tank right now.........plus, she thinks that everything is all fine and dandy, which is part of the problem I would if I could though.

 

Rick, perhaps some gentle coaxing and giving her more info to read. Good Luck, I am sure she means well and is just uneducated!!

Val

 

our recommended course of action in these cases is to break out a box and stuff her in it and let her know "this is how the betta feels". Just because an animal is alive doesn't mean it's happy or healthy.. just strong. I'd let her know that she's missing out on the full color and personality of the betta and it's a LOT more fun watching a Betta play in a tank than sit there in a bowl.