Could you explain why 5 gallon is the actual minimum for a betta fish?
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There’s great cycling explanations on multiple threads if you just search the website, but a short n sweet version is that the ammonia in a 1 gallon would be too much and would harm the fish. You’d be doing tons of water changes every single day and lots of testing and maintenance in a 1 gallon. In the end it’s way more work for a very stressed out fish.
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I am not sure whether the cycle is really unstable below a certain tank size, but bettas are intelligent fishes that like to habitually explore their tank, both for curiosity and looking for microfauna (copepods, for example) to hunt. It's harder to satisfy that desire to explore in a tiny tank, and smaller tanks are definitely less stable and more prone to crashing if something goes wrong (eg if a toddler dumps a tablespoon of betta food into the tank, the concentration of ammonia/nitrite/nitrate eventually produced would be twice as high in a 5 gallon as a 10 gallon if all else is equal).
EDIT: A 1 gallon is really too little space to house any fish long term, and a betta would quickly be poisoned by its own waste in such quarters unless very frequent (daily?) water changes were employed. Such tiny containers may be useful for shrimp (if water quality is very carefully maintained) or young fry (for a few weeks at most) but are inadequate for adult fish for any length of time.
EDIT: A 1 gallon is really too little space to house any fish long term, and a betta would quickly be poisoned by its own waste in such quarters unless very frequent (daily?) water changes were employed. Such tiny containers may be useful for shrimp (if water quality is very carefully maintained) or young fry (for a few weeks at most) but are inadequate for adult fish for any length of time.
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They like more room for swimming, but if you want to convince your parents it is better the easiest way to word it is tell them that the more water you have in the tank the less you have to change the water and the maintenance is easier. Also you can make the tank prettier with more room for decorations.
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2.5 long is the absolute minimum id go, as long as its heated and filtered.
Any smaller can't be adequately heated without cooking the fish (even the minI heaters would overheat the water) and adding a filter would take up too much room.
Smaller tanks are more work.
Ask your parents if theyd want to be doing 100% water changes 2 times a day, or would they rather do 1 50% change a week?
A 1 gallon would be soooo much work and less enjoyable space for the fish.
If theyre set on the 1gal, get only shrimp.
Any smaller can't be adequately heated without cooking the fish (even the minI heaters would overheat the water) and adding a filter would take up too much room.
Smaller tanks are more work.
Ask your parents if theyd want to be doing 100% water changes 2 times a day, or would they rather do 1 50% change a week?
A 1 gallon would be soooo much work and less enjoyable space for the fish.
If theyre set on the 1gal, get only shrimp.
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A bigger tank is WAY less work than a 1 gallon. Also, the theory that the rice paddies that wild bettas live in are tiny, thus bettas would be happy in a half gallon tank with no room for swimming whatsoever is so UNTRUE. The rice paddies are huge. I cringed when I went on the petsmart website and looked at their requirements. A quart was their minimum swimming space.
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Multiple reasons....
It's easy to keep a larger tank cycled than a smaller one.
Waste builds up slower in a larger tank.
The fish is healthier in a larger tank.
You can keep a cat or a dog in a small cage its entire life, and it would stay alive. It will not be be be very healthy or active though.
On the other hand, you could keep the same cat or dog inside the home and let it roam free all around. It would be much healthier that way.
The fish living successfully in a gallon vase is a unrealistic non-fact pushed by carnivals years ago.
Also, you can keep live plants in a 5 gallon or 10 gallon very easily. You can root the plants in substrate or get common house ivy (golden pothos) and prop it between lid and filter with only roots hanging in the water.
For aquarium recommendations, if there is a PetSmart near by, I recommend their Top Fin 5 gallon or 10 gallon starter kits (glass aquarium kits, not the plastic ones w/ fancy names). They include a lid, LED, filter and heater (no heater in 5 gallon kit).
The Top Fin kits are routinely on sale for 25% - 50% off.
If you download the PetSmart app, there is a game that can be played to earn couple for 25% off a purchase in store. Also, in-store cashiers will price match their own website (which usually has better prices) and price match the Chewy website, with they own.
It's easy to keep a larger tank cycled than a smaller one.
Waste builds up slower in a larger tank.
The fish is healthier in a larger tank.
You can keep a cat or a dog in a small cage its entire life, and it would stay alive. It will not be be be very healthy or active though.
On the other hand, you could keep the same cat or dog inside the home and let it roam free all around. It would be much healthier that way.
The fish living successfully in a gallon vase is a unrealistic non-fact pushed by carnivals years ago.
Also, you can keep live plants in a 5 gallon or 10 gallon very easily. You can root the plants in substrate or get common house ivy (golden pothos) and prop it between lid and filter with only roots hanging in the water.
For aquarium recommendations, if there is a PetSmart near by, I recommend their Top Fin 5 gallon or 10 gallon starter kits (glass aquarium kits, not the plastic ones w/ fancy names). They include a lid, LED, filter and heater (no heater in 5 gallon kit).
The Top Fin kits are routinely on sale for 25% - 50% off.
If you download the PetSmart app, there is a game that can be played to earn couple for 25% off a purchase in store. Also, in-store cashiers will price match their own website (which usually has better prices) and price match the Chewy website, with they own.
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If you want to put some numbers on it you can tell them this:
In the wild, bettas typically patrol a roughly 3ft area of water (Water being slow streams, ponds, rice patties, etc - not "puddles"). Now let's assume that 3ft area is 6 inches deep - which is the ideal height for males to retrieve eggs when watching a nest. A 3ft area at 6" deep is about 33 gallons. Tell your parents they're lucky you're asking for a 5 gallon not a 33 long
There have also been some studies that show bettas in tanks less than 5 gallons can become depressed from a lack of exercise (Just like can happen with people ) which lowers their immune system and leaves them open to diseases - so your betta will be happier and healthier in at least a 5 (Tho, plakats (Short finned bettas) are much more active than long finned fish and I really recommend at least a 10 for them).
There's also the water parameters, which have been mentioned several times already so I won't reiterate the reasons
Edit: This also might sway them more: 1 gallon "kits" are stupid expensive and not worth the money usually - so you'll be more efficient with your money looking at Petco's $1 per gallon sale and then ordering filter/heater/light on amazon
I also saw your request to explain the cycle so here it is very simply:
As fish poop and excess fish food breaks down, ammonia is produced. This is toxic to fish. Luckily, there are bacteria present in fish tanks that can grow to a level where they are converting ammonia to nitrite as part of their metabolism processes. Nitrite, however, is also toxic. But again, there is another bacteria that can grow to the level where they convert the nitrite to nitrate. This is slightly less toxic and fish can withstand it at lower levels, though at higher concentrations, it also becomes toxic. This is why we do water changes - to remove it and prevent it building up. Bonus: Plants can utilize nitrates as their nitrogen source - hence why live plants can be beneficial for your tank!
In the wild, bettas typically patrol a roughly 3ft area of water (Water being slow streams, ponds, rice patties, etc - not "puddles"). Now let's assume that 3ft area is 6 inches deep - which is the ideal height for males to retrieve eggs when watching a nest. A 3ft area at 6" deep is about 33 gallons. Tell your parents they're lucky you're asking for a 5 gallon not a 33 long
There have also been some studies that show bettas in tanks less than 5 gallons can become depressed from a lack of exercise (Just like can happen with people ) which lowers their immune system and leaves them open to diseases - so your betta will be happier and healthier in at least a 5 (Tho, plakats (Short finned bettas) are much more active than long finned fish and I really recommend at least a 10 for them).
There's also the water parameters, which have been mentioned several times already so I won't reiterate the reasons
Edit: This also might sway them more: 1 gallon "kits" are stupid expensive and not worth the money usually - so you'll be more efficient with your money looking at Petco's $1 per gallon sale and then ordering filter/heater/light on amazon
I also saw your request to explain the cycle so here it is very simply:
As fish poop and excess fish food breaks down, ammonia is produced. This is toxic to fish. Luckily, there are bacteria present in fish tanks that can grow to a level where they are converting ammonia to nitrite as part of their metabolism processes. Nitrite, however, is also toxic. But again, there is another bacteria that can grow to the level where they convert the nitrite to nitrate. This is slightly less toxic and fish can withstand it at lower levels, though at higher concentrations, it also becomes toxic. This is why we do water changes - to remove it and prevent it building up. Bonus: Plants can utilize nitrates as their nitrogen source - hence why live plants can be beneficial for your tank!
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Easy explanation that has nothing to do with fish: imagine a one gallon tank is a coffin, a five gallon is a standard small bedroom, a ten gallon is a large bedroom with a walk-in closet, a 30 gallon is a three bedroom two bathroom house, and a 55+ is a mansion. Which one would they be happy living in? Which one has more room to live in? Now, for the nitrogen cycle, imagine the nitrogen cycle is a “window” in a sealed box. Imagine it’s the only way to get new air in and get some old air out. Occasionally, a big breeze may blow in and the room will be filled with new air (a water change), but imagine now that you’re in a room that didn’t have a window. No window, means no clean air, and sooner or later you’ll begin to run out of oxygen and begin to be poisoned by CO2, then you’ll die. Simple, but understandable to anyone who doesn’t understand anything fish related.
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IMO 2.5g is a minimum for them but it really depends on the type of betta and the individual betta. 2.5g gives them enough space to live their whole life and they'll be perfectly fine without negative impact with space. Its enough space to get basic exercise, fit a filter and heater no problem, etc.
Now I think a 5g is more ideal and a betta can really thrive in it. Definately a better option in my opinion. Some bettas can't have bigger tanks due to their fins being too heavy. They often don't do well with tank mates and most people with 10g and larger want more than one fish.
Now I think a 5g is more ideal and a betta can really thrive in it. Definately a better option in my opinion. Some bettas can't have bigger tanks due to their fins being too heavy. They often don't do well with tank mates and most people with 10g and larger want more than one fish.
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I do believe 5 gallon to be the minimum, but it is always better to get bigger if you can. I feel like 5 gallons should mainly be used for long-finned Bettas, as they don't swim as much as their long fins weigh them down. And let me make it clear, long finned Bettas can still and do thrive in larger tanks. Personally, I believe we should stop breeding long finned Bettas, as it is not natural and is unhealthy. Plakats are like little rockets, so they should probably have 10 gallons or more. I also believe that 5 gallons is the minimum size for good upkeep. Let me explain, in smaller tanks there is much less room, and less water --> more toxins. So you have to do more, and larger PWCs, people end up having to take the fish out so they can take water out, which is stressful, it's also hard to use a syphon in smaller containers. Larger tanks are just much easier to clean. I believe whatever a Betta can thrive in is the minimum, if that changes and becomes larger, I'd be more than happy to upgrade.
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Why is the minimums for fish always a volume instead of an area or some given dimensions? It makes much more sense to base minimums off dimensions over gallons/ litres.
Going with your questions, the reason the standard 5 gallon tank is considered minimum is because anything under that the water quality can drop very fast and there is not enough for said fish to grow or roam around. I kept a betta in a 2.5 gallon and it fared well but I don't believe it had the best quality of life it could have, considering how in nature male domestic betta species are said to have a metre by metre area as a territory and having that condensed to a 12"x8" area.
Going with your questions, the reason the standard 5 gallon tank is considered minimum is because anything under that the water quality can drop very fast and there is not enough for said fish to grow or roam around. I kept a betta in a 2.5 gallon and it fared well but I don't believe it had the best quality of life it could have, considering how in nature male domestic betta species are said to have a metre by metre area as a territory and having that condensed to a 12"x8" area.
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I understand that. One reason I say 5 is due to cycling and water quality. A scary number of betta keepers, have no idea what cycling is and think that since they change the water a few times a month it doesn't apply to them. This will so much more damage in a 2.5 than a 5 gal. Additionally, cycling a smaller tank is just more challenging, and since betta are marketed as beginner fish since they are so hardy, I just dont think its ethical to be telling everyone 2.5 will work for them. I have a betta in a 3.7, hes a rescue with sever fin rot and does not swim well. Hes also a double tail, so long finned. But that being said, I wouldn't ever suggest a beginner own this fish due to him needing some special care, so I always just suggest 5 since theres no harm or foul there either way.
Also one thing that bothers me is people saying "betta live in puddles." They competently negate a few facts. Domesticated betta never have, and never should, live in puddles, they are not wild betta. Second, wild animals actually fall under "survival of the fittest," and have to outlive certain selective pressures. These selective pressures dont need to exist within the hobby because we have the information and resources to avoid them.
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I knew some people (not gonna say who to protect their privacy) who kept Bettas in 1 gallon tanks, with terrible decorations, a terrible (if not a real) filter, and no heater. They didn't even bother to turn the lights on and overfed, they rarely did water changes and their Bettas had many diseases. When I told them they should take better care of their fish one just shrugged and the other said, "it's my fish so I can do what I want."
Yeah, I hate all these myths created by people who just want to sell them and only care for money. This myth came from the situation where during the wet season, Bettas will go out into rice fields and such, but when the dry season comes, they get stuck in small puddles of water, they get stuck there, but don't live there.
Yeah im aware of that.... sadly some people wont let that idea go as even PETA has something similar written on their page. Its frustrating because betta splendens dont have a "natural habitat", they are complacently domesticated. Long finned betta dont exist in a puddle somewhere.
Another thing I cant shake, it the constant misconception "he makes bubble nests, hes happy". OK, so why does my fully healthy, happy, female betta not? Because bubble nests are NOT a sign of happiness, just a mating behavior done by male betta. Its true that if they are really sick, they wont make a bubble nest, but still, not a "happy" behavior.
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I like my bettas in a 10g best. Gives them a good amount of room to swim, gives me enough room to create multiple hiding spots and nap pads. Also, since the cats seem to think the betta tanks are their water dishes, the fish have plenty of room to scoot and hide if the kitties take interest.
Oh my gosh my cat tires to do the same. Some of my tanks have sick fish so the water is medicated so I don’t let him drink out of them. They all also have lids which he likes to stand on, I lock him out of my fish room because of this haha. Something about running water makes them want to drink it even more. Guess that’s natural.
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Makes them feel "wild". One of my tanks has an Aqueon lid with a feeding hatch. Or "had" a feeding hatch. Everytime i fished it out of the bottom, the same kitten would always "punch" it right back out. Tried to dissuade them from drinking by covering the opening where the HOB would go(sponge filters only here)with tinfoil. Worked for one cat when he was a kitten, didn't work for these 2, though...they just tear it and go right back to drinking.
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One question I like to ask people (I have a tiktok with a small following so I actually get some people to answer) is this: why are betta the only fish you can keep in that small of a tank. What makes them different that they can be kept in say 2.5 gallons, where no other 2-3” fish can?
often I get the whole “they live in puddles” thing back which we already know is a myth. But really no one can come up with another reason.
often I get the whole “they live in puddles” thing back which we already know is a myth. But really no one can come up with another reason.
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Erm I haven't found the whole "plakats are more active" kind of thing to be true after going through 4 different fin variations of betta.
Another part of why bettas can go in a standard 5g is because then don't have as heavy social needs as some other fish. Most gouramis have social needs and the bioload of each individual builds up. Heck I could chuck a honey gourami in a standard 5g and it would be fine space wise but the need for social interaction make a 5g harder to have a honey gourami in.
Now thinking about it I don't know who decided 5 gallons is the prime number for bettas. Heck if they said 20 gallons was minimum and they propagated that idea I bet it would be standard once the word got out and spread enough with enough evidence backing it up.
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Based on stability of water parameters, I think 5 gallons is the minimum. In terms of habitat space for its quality of life, I'd say 10 gallons.
I used to like my 5.5 gallon, because the length, width, and height seemed to give a fish of that size enough room to swim around. One day I was looking inside a 5.5 from the top as I was cleaning it, and the volume struck me as an awfully small space for the fish to spend its entire life. Next time I was at a fish store, I looked in the top of a few tanks. In terms of volume for the fish to spend its life, 10 was the minimum for me not to feel bad, 15 satisfied me, and 20 seemed generous.
I used to like my 5.5 gallon, because the length, width, and height seemed to give a fish of that size enough room to swim around. One day I was looking inside a 5.5 from the top as I was cleaning it, and the volume struck me as an awfully small space for the fish to spend its entire life. Next time I was at a fish store, I looked in the top of a few tanks. In terms of volume for the fish to spend its life, 10 was the minimum for me not to feel bad, 15 satisfied me, and 20 seemed generous.
I had two long-finned male in 5.5 gallon aquariums, and they made good use of the space. There were a couple of times I saw one of them get scared by something and dart to the other side of the aquarium. As fast as he shot to the other side of the aquarium, he surely would have appreciated more space in that moment.
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I'm a huge baby, so the thought of keeping any fish - beta or otherwise - in a tank smaller than a 10 gal, let alone a 5 gal, makes me feel awful. I was one of those kids who grew up believing betas were fine in those eensy weensy little "fish tanks" marketed for them at petco. They always just seemed so listless and sad.
Wasn't until a while back I stopped and thought, hey, doesn't it seem cruel to keep a fish in a space that small? I upgraded the beta I had (and still have, his name is Opal) to a 5 gal, and he seemed happier, though it still felt wrong so now he's in a 20 gal with some amanos shrimp and a mystery snail (named Inca) and boy howdy is he the most energetic I've ever seen him. He loves to hide in the plants and decorations, yeah, but he also swims all over the place, watches the shrimp (who sometimes ride on Inca's shell), follows me when I'm walking by the tank, etc. He generally just seems way more excited about... being alive, honestly.
Its really embarassing to say, but he's already lived way longer than any beta I've had before -- and I know I'm still nowhere close to the best at fish keeping because I'm still just a beginner when it comes to actual tanks. Really bothers me to think of all the poor betas I had before who lived what had to be miserable lives stuck in a tiny plastic box on a table.
That's just me though. Seems like a lot of people are fine with 5 gal (or less?) so it could be that I'm too soft or something.
Wasn't until a while back I stopped and thought, hey, doesn't it seem cruel to keep a fish in a space that small? I upgraded the beta I had (and still have, his name is Opal) to a 5 gal, and he seemed happier, though it still felt wrong so now he's in a 20 gal with some amanos shrimp and a mystery snail (named Inca) and boy howdy is he the most energetic I've ever seen him. He loves to hide in the plants and decorations, yeah, but he also swims all over the place, watches the shrimp (who sometimes ride on Inca's shell), follows me when I'm walking by the tank, etc. He generally just seems way more excited about... being alive, honestly.
Its really embarassing to say, but he's already lived way longer than any beta I've had before -- and I know I'm still nowhere close to the best at fish keeping because I'm still just a beginner when it comes to actual tanks. Really bothers me to think of all the poor betas I had before who lived what had to be miserable lives stuck in a tiny plastic box on a table.
That's just me though. Seems like a lot of people are fine with 5 gal (or less?) so it could be that I'm too soft or something.
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My Betta has very large fins, he has a ten gallon and he does enjoy it too and use it. I'm now leaning towards 10 gallons as the minimum, as it really doesn't matter about the tail type, they can all have different levels of activity. I definitely would not go below 5 gallons, because at that point it's just too cruel IMO.
Judging the size if a Bettas with the fins extended, they look cramped even in a five gallon tank, specifically if the tank is planted and they work their way through the jungle. They still like to swim, just slower. That is the main reason why I moved mine from a 5gl into a 12gl tank.
The stability of water parameters is a bonus, specifically as they need the pristine water conditions to thrive and keep their healthy fins.
The stability of water parameters is a bonus, specifically as they need the pristine water conditions to thrive and keep their healthy fins.
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