Betta In A Bowl

DD's 7th grade science teacher asked us to watch class Betta fish over Spring break.

It lives in a 1 gallon acrylic fish bowl. No filter, no heater. No plans to change to a filtered heated tank.

Water was filthy, never changed in 2 or 3 weeks since teacher got it.

We did complete water change. Rinsed out the gravel in bowl. Used almost gallon of Poland Spring water . Two drops Prime and 1/8th teaspoon of aquarium salt. Betta seems happy. (We have 37gallon fresh water community tank).

My house temp is 68° to 70°F. I put a lamp right over Betta bowl, gets to 72°F.

I need to convince the teacher to take better care of this fish. She was sold the fish & told it can live fine no heat, no filter.

How should this Betta be cared for given it will be in unheated, unfiltered acrylic fish bowl?

 

DD's 7th grade science teacher asked us to watch class Betta fish over Spring break.

It lives in a 1 gallon acrylic fish bowl. No filter, no heater. No plans to change to a filtered heated tank.

Water was filthy, never changed in 2 or 3 weeks since teacher got it.

We did complete water change. Rinsed out the gravel in bowl. Used almost gallon of Poland Spring water . Two drops Prime and 1/8th teaspoon of aquarium salt. Betta seems happy. (We have 37gallon fresh water community tank).

My house temp is 68° to 70°F. I put a lamp right over Betta bowl, gets to 72°F.

I need to convince the teacher to take better care of this fish. She was sold the fish & told it can live fine no heat, no filter.

How should this Betta be cared for given it will be in unheated, unfiltered acrylic fish bowl?

It won’t live very long without the basic necessities.
The water will become toxic, and he’ll start to become unhealthy, possibly getting a disease in the future.

Convince your teacher to move it to a simple 2.5, which is very cheap, and you can get an upgrade for about $50

 

I do not think the teacher will get a fultered & heated tank.

So what is BEST way to care for this Betta while it lives in a bowl?

 

I do not think the teacher will get a fultered & heated tank.

So what is BEST way to care for this Betta while it lives in a bowl?

daily water changes will be the only way to keep the water clean and healthy for the betta

 

Would the teacher let you provide an upgraded tank ? Would she let you come to the classroom and set it up, provide weekly care, teach the class how to properly care for the fish? (Assuming you have the time and resources to do this). Just a thought!

 

Maybe you could teach the teacher how to do daily partial water changes.

 

I am dealing with a a similar situation at my church. They have a goldfish in a one gallon tank. I am going to talk with the pastor and ask if I can do anything. Just ask the teacher and keep in mind it's her fish and if it dies it's her fault.

 

The SCIENCE teacher should be able to change the bowl water. And understand why.

Besides changing the water, does my adding 1/8th tsp of Aquarium Salt and 2 drops of Prime to the gallon of Poland Spring water sound right? Anything else, given that this is a bowl-only environment ?

 

it's her fish and if it dies it's her fault.

Sadly true. I just want to advise on best way for HER to care for the fish while it lives in unheated, unfiltered bowl.

Anyone know if the colder temps will kill the Betta even if cleaned daily water?

 

The SCIENCE teacher should be able to change the bowl water. And understand why.

Besides changing the water, does my adding 1/8th tsp of Aquarium Salt and 2 drops of Prime to the gallon of Poland Spring water sound right? Anything else, given that this is a bowl-only environment ?

I wouldnt add salt unless its for a treatment because otherwise it will become immune to the salt

 

Well I think it would be wise to use tact when dealing with the teacher, coming across the wrong way will only put them on the defensive. I'm assuming the teacher wasn't allowed to get anything that would use power. I'd speak with the teacher and offer to help in some form or fashion. Colder water will probably kill the betta eventually because it will compromise the health and 'happiness' of the fish.

 

I do not think the teacher will get a fultered & heated tank.

So what is BEST way to care for this Betta while it lives in a bowl?

To SNATCH that betta from her and never give it back! I would!

 

Does your grade 7 child know about the nitrogen cycle? Could be a great opportunity for him/her to share some cool info with the SCIENCE class (if they are willing to learn!) I guess that would depend on how flexible the teacher is on that kind of 'not part of the curriculum' thing.
What is the reason that the bowl is the only option? (is the power needed for a heated/filtered tank the issue?) Is it a money issue? Just thinking there might be a solution if we knew what the source of the problem is. If the betta were to return to the school after the break in a little 2.5 gallon kit tank, what would happen?
At the very least, could the students not take turns doing daily water changes? I know in my son's grade 4 class they had a small lizard of some sort, and the students were very involved in it's care (that was kind of the whole point in keeping it).
OR... another option is to say it died over the break, and you secretly keep it lol
Unfortunately, if he's kept in the same conditions he's in now, he's not going to last very long.

 

I wouldnt add salt unless its for a treatment because otherwise it will become immune to the salt

I do NOT think anything relevant (Betta nor any pathogen) becomes immune to the salt.

Read on.....

 

Bettas will not get immune to salt BUT you shouldn't use it because they are extremely sensitive to it, and it is often more dangerous than useful.

 

Bettas will not get immune to salt BUT you shouldn't use it because they are extremely sensitive to it, and it is often more dangerous than useful.

Read that link I posted....

"By adding aquarium salt we are actually recreating the betta’s natural habitat conditions. The natural Thailand environment of betta has a wide range of salinity"

 

Well I think it would be wise to use tact when dealing with the teacher,

I agree about using tact.

And I won't be kidnapping the Betta! I don't think that would go over well especially since it's my daughter's teacher.

I don't know if it's a financial concern or if it's just that the fish store that she bought betta from told her, " yeah just keep it in this bowl you don't have to do anything else".

 

Does your grade 7 child know about the nitrogen cycle? Could be a great opportunity for him/her to share some cool info with the SCIENCE class (if they are willing to learn!)

Yes, my DD understands about beneficial bacterial and the cycle.... we have a community freshwater tank. Been training her about it for 5-plus years.

Would be great if they can get some education and understanding about this little fish. I just don't know if that fits in with their curriculum, and if they have time.

 

Read that link I posted....

"By adding aquarium salt we are actually recreating the betta’s natural habitat conditions. The natural Thailand environment of betta has a wide range of salinity"

This is a topic that's had a lot of debate. Even if some sites say its helpful, many say its not.

 

This is a topic that's had a lot of debate. Even if some sites say its helpful, many say its not.

I understand that. Consider the not so mere fact that Bettas are in the wild with natural varying degrees of salinity.

This Betta in our care is flourishing , and I added aquarium salt.

 

Outside of this poor fish's long term fate in the hands of an inexperienced keeper with no interest in learning proper care (poor thing), I noticed you said you used Poland Spring water for water changes. How purified is that variety? A lot of people distrust tap water and make the mistake of using bottled water that doesn't have enough minerals and other dissolved solids in it for the fish to maintain proper osmotic pressure, which can cause organ damage over time. In most circumstances, tap water treated with prime is a much better option than bottled water. Adding the salt might actually help the bottled water a little, but unless there is something really dramatically off with your tap water, I'd switch.

Edit: just to make it clear, I was referring to the teacher in the first line. OP clearly has the fish's best interests in heart and is working to help it.

 

Hii everyone, I have a quick question. My betta lives in a 4 gallon planted, heated tank with a filter, everything’s fine with him, but I have to move him out of my apartment for 2 days due to some work being done on the floors and stuff like that, so I was wondering if he would be okay in a bowl for those two days? I have one from when I first kept my betta (I know, very bad idea), but it’s only for 2 days so I’m wondering if that’s fine? I just had that idea since it’s much easier than to move the whole tank, empty all the water move everything to another apartment etc.

 

Have you got a filter for the bowl? What size is it? You don’t want ammonia to accumulate and poison the fish

 

Yes that should be ok for only 2 days just take some tank water to fill it up and keep the water at the same temp as the tank would be and you’ll be fine

 

Have you got a filter for the bowl? What size is it? You don’t want ammonia to accumulate and poison the fish

I’m not sure about the size, it was the largest one I could find at the pet store but thats all I know unfortunately. I don’t have a filter for the bowl, I have the hang on filter on my tank I could try setting up but Im not sure if it’s gonna work

Yes that should be ok for only 2 days just take some tank water to fill it up and keep the water at the same temp as the tank would be and you’ll be fine

Okay, thank you so much! It might even be less than 2 days so I’m hoping he’ll be just fine

 

You could try making one of those DIY bottle filter for now

 

You could try making one of those DIY bottle filter for now

I’ll look into that, thanks for the advice!

 

If you change the water every day it will be ok without a filter.

 

If you change the water every day it will be ok without a filter.

Agree. I would just put your heater in there. It will be fine for 2 days. Maybe a air stone. Keep your filter going in your main tank though.

 

I would put an airstone also, just adjust it so it’s not too heavy bubbles and blows him around. Also lots of plants, a hide. Maybe some gravel/sand from his tank. As a matter of fact if you transfer decorations and substrate that migh carry over beneficial bacteria. If you break down your tank keep filter media and everything in your tank wet with tank water.

 

For 2 days, nothing will happen. Bettas are really hardy fish and they can survive a lot worse than 2 days without a filter and heater. Unfortunately, that also makes them one of the most abused fish in the hobby. Put some filter media from your filter (clean it in tank water first) into the bowl and dont feed him a day before yoi put him in, that means he won't poop and thus will prevent any ammonia burns and build up. That's all that's required, good luck with your work!
Also, I almost forgot, put a lid with holes on top of the bowl so that he or she doesn't jump out when you're gone

 

I’m not sure about the size, it was the largest one I could find at the pet store but thats all I know unfortunately. I don’t have a filter for the bowl, I have the hang on filter on my tank I could try setting up but Im not sure if it’s gonna work

I think you’ll be alright then, definitely monitor those parameters tho. I’ve seen some bowls as small as the cups they sell bettas in (with decor the water volume is even less) so I wasn’t sure what to expect. If you’ve got seachem prime that’ll help you out. As StarGirl do keep the filter running, you don’t want your beneficial bacteria to die. If you have to turn off the filter, put your filter media in a bag of tank water and place in the fridge. Colder water will have more oxygen and slow the activity of your bacteria, meaning they should stay alive for a few days.

 

Wait, you're taking your betta with you? Well, if I were you, I'd just keep him in his comparatively spacious tank with a lid and keep the filter running, it'll be better for the fish! If you have plants, a 2 day blackout won't do any harm at all and might even take care of some of the algae. Unless you have a light timer.

 

Wait, you're taking your betta with you? Well, if I were you, I'd just keep him in his comparatively spacious tank with a lid and keep the filter running, it'll be better for the fish! If you have plants, a 2 day blackout won't do any harm at all and might even take care of some of the algae. Unless you have a light timer.

Yup I am, I have to move him since he’s in the way kind of haha. That was my initial idea, to take the whole tank with me but its for less than 2 days, I’m moving him tomorrow night and bringing him back to his place on Tuesday afternoon so its really only a day and its just too much work moving everything for that time. I thought I’d put a little substrate from the tank, one stone with plants on it and pour in tank water into the bowl and keep him in there for a day.

Thank you all for your replies! I will keep his tank running with the filter and everything, I just have to move it somewhere and keep it covered due to dust and everything from the floor being replaced, so thats why Im taking my betta with me, I just feel better knowing he’s with me just in case. So I’ll just take him and some water from his tank.

 

Thank you all for your replies! I will keep his tank running with the filter and everything, I just have to move it somewhere and keep it covered due to dust and everything from the floor being replaced, so thats why Im taking my betta with me, I just feel better knowing he’s with me just in case. So I’ll just take him and some water from his tank.

Lucky betta to have such a caring parent!

 

Just remove 1/2 the water and keep the fish in the tank.
Moving two gallons of water is no issue.
You are overthinking this. Just move the tank.

 

Hii everyone, I have a quick question. My betta lives in a 4 gallon planted, heated tank with a filter, everything’s fine with him, but I have to move him out of my apartment for 2 days due to some work being done on the floors and stuff like that, so I was wondering if he would be okay in a bowl for those two days? I have one from when I first kept my betta (I know, very bad idea), but it’s only for 2 days so I’m wondering if that’s fine? I just had that idea since it’s much easier than to move the whole tank, empty all the water move everything to another apartment etc.

The size will stress him out along with the fact you'll have to 100% change the water in it at least once a day. just move the whole tank.

edit: My notifications said this was posted a few minutes ago oof