Do People Make Fun Of You For Trying To Give Your Betta Optimal Care?

So here's the story, I’ve had my betta (nixie) for about 3 weeks now. The tank came from someone in my office who bought a larger tank after her old betta died (he was about 3 years old) I had wanted a betta for a while so when she gave me the tank I jumped at the chance to start a betta tank in my office. So I bought the betta and a moss ball, water conditioner and food then I started researching...and I realized all I was lacking. Got a heater (which I’ve been trying to find one I like I’m on my 3rd right now) and a external temp guage with a auto shut off, modified the stock undergravel filter to work better with a charcoal uplift filter...when I got my test kit and realized I had a ammonia issue I immediately started doing water changes with schem prime and got it corrected. My betta is doing great, she is happy lively and active and I’m proud of the care I’ve given her.


My coworker’s kind of make fun of me for it though. I have an obsessive personality so I research everything and make sure things are perfect, while our other betta owning coworker does nothing to her betta except feed him and change the water when its cloudy, everyone makes fun of me because I am spending a lot of time and effort to take care of mine.

I just am kind of annoyed by this and wanted to vent, and was curious if anyone else has had family, friends or coworker’s give you because you have tried to take extra care with what many people consider a "throw away" pet. To be fair, I got the same treatment from people who didn’t understand when I used to keep hermit crabs.


Anyone else have similar stories? Come vent with me.

 

Well my mom always tells me SEE look how happy my betta is on the counter in a 2 gallon tank with no heater or filter or light. I got fed up 4months later and took my empty 5 gallon and put him in it. He changed colors and made a bubble nest to show how happy he was. BOOM SEE MOM HE HATES YOUR tANK

 

I'm sure a lot of people think I'm wasting a 75 gallon tank by having bettas in it when I could have "bigger" or "better" fish in it.

 

Yes I have some friends at unI who are nagging me about how I should just keep my betta and goldfish (plural) together in a bowl to save space. My betta is in a 7 gallon and goldfish are soon moving to a pond so I ain't downgrading them to a bowl.

Also after upgrading my goldfish from a 7 gallon to a 32 gallon, I soon found that 32 was not adequate. So now my parents have said that they look perfectly fine in their tank. They said that 5 inches is "freakishly large" for a goldfish!

 

Yep, I get this not only with my aquatic pets, but as my hermies as well. Since its not a cat or a dog, many fail to see that these animals still deserve care as much as other pets.

 

No, but even if people made fun of me, I wouldn’t care. Fish, well ALL animals, deserve to live the best life possible. It’s kind of sad that people consider fish a “throw away” pet. They’re living breathing things, just like us, and are actually intelligent! Certainly don’t let it upset you. Your little betta is healthy and happy, and that’s cause of you

 

yep ive been made fun of for having my betta in a "big" tank with lots of plants and for spending money on him. because apparently its weird to spend money on fish and yet its normal to spend money on cats and dogs. although my mom doesn't make fun of me too much about it anymore. she has even started to appreciate how beautiful bettas are in general and has been tempted to get her own fish tank. so now whenever I go a fishstore with her we both look at bettas and point out our favourites lol. its now mostly people outside of my immediate family, friends of family and a few others who make fun of me

 

Yes, but they do it about everything. People mock things they don't understand. I get made fun of for "spoiling" my cats, my horses, and my fish--but it's always by people who I can see don't understand how these creatures are truly designed to exist. I try to recreate that to the best of my ability with appropriate food, environments, enrichment, and whatever else, and hey, my critters are thriving, so people can laugh if they like. I'd rather that than feel guilty for trapping critters in inappropriate enclosures for my own enjoyment regardless of whether it's optimal.

 

My parents give me because I’m
“obsessive” with taking care of my tank. With “expensive” food and two many water changes. I do weekly pwc. Also my dad believes that schooling fish in tanks are a lie and just so the stores make more money. He was very offended when I purchased schools of schooling fish. And hates bottom feeders because there boreing to him. (He barley sees the tank and I pay for it)

 

Well, I don't deal with bettas much anymore, but I hear where you're coming from.

Luckily, my parents let me do whatever with my tanks, as long as I pay. They don't really understand what I'm doing, or why I'm doing it, but they usually know that there's a good, important reason behind it. As for people other than family, it's hit and miss. Some people find my tanks really cool, and others couldn't care less.

 

Not really made fun of, but people at work always say that my bettas have 'cadillac tanks'. Whatever that is. I have three bettas and each has their own 5-6.6 gallon tank kept at 79 degrees with live plants. *shrug* I guess since my boss' husband keeps one in a half gallon bowl on his desk with a pineapple in it taking up even more space <a la Spongebob> it might seem like they are spoiled.

 

Yes I have some friends at unI who are nagging me about how I should just keep my betta and goldfish (plural) together in a bowl to save space. My betta is in a 7 gallon and goldfish are soon moving to a pond so I ain't downgrading them to a bowl.

Also after upgrading my goldfish from a 7 gallon to a 32 gallon, I soon found that 32 was not adequate. So now my parents have said that they look perfectly fine in their tank. They said that 5 inches is "freakishly large" for a goldfish!

Prove to them that 5 inches is still considered small for goldfish. The common goldfish can reach 12 to 18 inches in proper pond conditions

 

Well, not really but I do get some feedback from my parents.
My dad, well he's a bit more understanding of fish. My mom, well that's another story.

Here are some familiar statements, and responses.

Myself - "Mom, I really need to go to PetCo, when's a good time?
Mom - "Well, I have no idea, maybe when I go out again this week. What do you need now?"
Myself - "I need to buy more plants for my new betta tank, it's necessary."
Mom - "What! No, I am not buying another plant again, tired of the plants."

It's a constant battle between whether I may be able to get what I need, or not.
My mom has a tank, but I have to run it, see how that goes?

"Here! I have an idea, and it's free. Just go pull all the weeds out there and use those for plants!"
"...silence"

My hermit crabs have better tolerance with my mom, but my dad knows nothing about them, just that I will constantly need to buy something.
I don't have a job yet, but when I get one, I will start paying for my own things, and hit the road!
Sometimes I really wish my PetCo was across my driveway!
That'd be extremely helpful, right?

Soon I have to go out and get seven new betta girls for my sorority, and my mom better put up with that!
If some of them don't fit for the group, they'll be rehomed, a constant trip down there. Prepare yourself, mom! It's how it goes
Okay, well that feels great to explain!

 

I've had people raise some eyebrows online when telling them how I keep my betta, but they usually shut up when I explain they actually live over 5 years in the right conditons and are smart enough to learn tricks.

 

I'm sure a lot of people think I'm wasting a 75 gallon tank by having bettas in it when I could have "bigger" or "better" fish in it.

Only idiots! Bettas are lovely. Especially when you have several! I love your tank!

Yes I have some friends at unI who are nagging me about how I should just keep my betta and goldfish (plural) together in a bowl to save space. My betta is in a 7 gallon and goldfish are soon moving to a pond so I ain't downgrading them to a bowl.

Also after upgrading my goldfish from a 7 gallon to a 32 gallon, I soon found that 32 was not adequate. So now my parents have said that they look perfectly fine in their tank. They said that 5 inches is "freakishly large" for a goldfish!

What would they say to my 17-20” goldies? They love a pond

Everyone I know thinks my ponds and aquariums are a total waste of time and money. It’s worse since I got sick. BUT, I get my way cause I’m hardheaded like my mom and dad!
My feral cats (4) have access to a heated/air conditioned room 24/7. Clean water, fresh food. Folks think I’m crazy. Tough.

 

Why does my comment have so many different icons on it? lol you guys are crazy. This is my 1000th Comment on fishlore!

 

I got into bettas because I wanted a little "easy fish" in a bowl on my desk while I work...

But researched and realized all they need, and gradually added more and more until I have 4 established tanks that I don't even want to know the combined cost thereof. Lol.

My husband laughs a little- but he also finds it sweet. And the best bonus- I've never seen bettas as happy as mine. They've got so much personality and verve. None of the listless floating I see from the ones in vases.

 

I got into bettas because I wanted a little "easy fish" in a bowl on my desk while I work...

But researched and realized all they need, and gradually added more and more until I have 4 established tanks that I don't even want to know the combined cost thereof. Lol.

My husband laughs a little- but he also finds it sweet. And the best bonus- I've never seen bettas as happy as mine. They've got so much personality and verve. None of the listless floating I see from the ones in vases.

Ive spent at least over $1800 on fish stuff.....

 

Ive spent at least over $1800 on fish stuff.....

Lol same I've spent so much money just on fish stuff. Between trying to find filters I like and supplies I have spent more then my parents like

 

Lol same I've spent so much money just on fish stuff. Between trying to find filters I like and supplies I have spent more then my parents like

I'm not aloud to get any more fish because some of them died and its too much money to spend even though its MY money. Bettas are so pricy nowadays Plus the quality of fish sucks, 2 out of 7 guppys from petsmart died in a month.

 

I'm not aloud to get any more fish because some of them died and its too much money to spend even though its MY money. Bettas are so pricy nowadays Plus the quality of fish sucks, 2 out of 7 guppys from petsmart died in a month.

Yeah I always pay for all of my fish related stuff myself as well but they still aren't happy. I don't find bettas to be that pricy just trying to get things for them is a bit expensive, especially if it's things you can't get locally. Yeah quality of fish aren't very good these days. I can't get a lot of bettas to live past two years

 

Yeah I always pay for all of my fish related stuff myself as well but they still aren't happy. I don't find bettas to be that pricy just trying to get things for them is a bit expensive, especially if it's things you can't get locally. Yeah quality of fish aren't very good these days. I can't get a lot of bettas to live past two years

Id love to buy from breeders but I don't have the money for a $40 betta and $80 overnight shipping with another $40 in getting a heat pack.

 

I live with my grandparents who haven't had a pet since the 70's and barely tolerate animals, so when I finally convinced my grandma do let me keep a pet under her roof I went with a betta. It's been 5 years now, I have 10 tanks of various fish, and my grandparents have definitely been less understanding at times. This hobby has even fueled my hopes of going back to college someday and they still can't understand why I would spend all this money/sweat/ and tears over fish. It's hard sometimes when people jest or are unsupportive of a passion. Luckily there are like minded people out there for you to talk with, and occasionally vent to

 

A lot of people heckle me about my fish keeping decisions, but when I ask them about it, the have no idea how to keep fish.

I remember that one day I was feeding my fish peas. My mom came up to me and asked me why I was doing it.

I told her it was a laxative to help my betta poop(he was kinda bloated at the time).

She spent the next 15 minutes laughing and telling her friends.

 

Once I was told by a Petsmart employee to please not discuss Betta care with other customers... I was just there buying some worms for my Axolotl and some people were buying a bowl and a fish, so the betta mom in me kicked in. Told them how a 5 gallon tank and a heater is needed, so the family decided not to buy the fish at the time. According to the manager I had "lost them a sale" I was so upset. In all realness, if the family really wanted a betta then they would go home and google betta care then come back to the store and BUY a real more expensive tank to properly house their fish.

As for people just not getting it, My brother had a saltwater tank and my mom would always hound him about the cost/noise whenever she came to visit. "Well if you didn't spend all this money on the fish, then maybe you could have -insert unnecessary luxury-"
I only have fresh water fish (for now) because i'm still renting and don't own my own home... BUT! once I have the funds I will defiantly invest in a proper community. Whats wrong with spending extra money on the things we love? She buys herself all those **** shoes..

Also my Co-workers were trying to convince my boss we needed a pet for the office to increase morale, so I suggested a fish and they all looked at me like boooring.. I felt pretty upset because fish are NOT boring! They have their own quirky personality's my betta loves to play with ping pong balls and jumps through a hoop! common!

I got into bettas because I wanted a little "easy fish" in a bowl on my desk while I work...

But researched and realized all they need, and gradually added more and more until I have 4 established tanks that I don't even want to know the combined cost thereof. Lol.

My husband laughs a little- but he also finds it sweet. And the best bonus- I've never seen bettas as happy as mine. They've got so much personality and verve. None of the listless floating I see from the ones in vases.

I too started off with betta's because I bought one of those cute looking death traps
got 2 males and a female, but this 2 gallon "tank" was not working! My female died so I quickly realized my mistake and bought two 5 gallon tanks for my males... and I want to buy a 3rd but I don't have the counter space for it -sigh-

 

I've never been made fun of before, but I've had people be shocked to find out I keep my betta in a 20 gallon. I have a friend who says keeping his calico ryukin in a seven gallon is okay, news flash, it's not. He refuses to listen to me though. Probably the worse experience I've had with ignorant people though is when I was in Petco looking at all of the poor bettas. This old guy, probably in his late fifties, early sixties, came up behind me and said "they're so low maintenance, they just need warm water." I replied saying, "Don't forget filtration." He then proceeded to tell me that bettas hate filtered water, and they do best in standing water. He also said he used to breed them when he was a kid, and that you have to keep the water so it has a film on the top of it otherwise the fry won't have anything to eat. Nothing gets me more angry than people like that, I really wanted to tell him he was wrong, and chew him out, but I ended up just saying "Let's agree to disagree," and I then left the store.

 

Ugh, I can relate to all of this. My parents hate my fish, and it is really annoying at times. Being 13, and I cannot drive myself anywhere, so getting to the pet store is a constant struggle. I get to go to petco once a week, and the good pet store once a month.
For all reading, I will be venting.
They just don't understand the fish and don't understand me taking care of the fish in the way I do. Let's have some quotes shall we?
My mom
" They need colder water? Just flush them"
My dad
" Are you crazy, your spending X much on that fish" every time I buy a fish.
And when I went to the fish auction, I really got laughed at good.
When I stand at the island finely chopping up lettuce, carrots , and cucumber for my Fish I get laughed at. Even my sister, who used to adore my fish, picks on me all the time now. That's actually why I love it here on fishlore, a place where I can communicate with people who love fish as much as I do. And that' why I go to petco, not to buy anything, but to talk to the guy there about my fish. Sorry about the long post, and I know it wasn't about B ettas, but I thought it was relevant enough.

 

Oh boy, yea I get so much hate, but that doesn't stop me from randomly lecturing people buying a .5 gallon tank for their shiny new bettas at the pet store. I care about my bettas and have spent hundreds on them between the food, medicine and water care alone not counting the tank, decorations, filter, substrate.. It really upsets me to see people think that they can put a fish in such small tanks. I've found though that it's mainly a lack of education and once I explain to people that Bettas are not happy or healthy living in those pet store containers, they will usually grab at least a gallon or 2.5 off the shelf instead. Share the Betta love!

 

Definitely get mde fun of. My single female betta is in a 10gal seamless, rimless tank with duel 50 watt heaters, a custom made plexiglass lid, betta hammocks and more lol.. my husband wasn't sure about everything at first but now he gets mad when he comes across any betta in tiny bowls or jars. I still get mde fun of by many people but at least my betta (Blossom is her name) is really happy and healthy.

 

when people stop by their reaction is usually holy betta tank. Honestly I'm not a big fan of little tanks, I really don't even like putting fish in my 29 gallon tank. I had guppies in it once.

 

I feel bad for all of you whos parents don’t appreciate your fish. When I brought my guppies home ( they were part of an art installation I did at my school) my dad got really into it and got his own tank. And now we have a few small tanks in our apartment. It’s unfortunate not everyone can appreciate fish

 

haha my mom won't be very happy once she finds out that I ordered a new filter (ive gone through a lot trying to find one I like). although hopefully she will realize it is more cost efficient to have the sponge filter then it is to have what I have right now lol

yeah it is sad that not everyone can appreciate fish because they are amazing just as much as...maybe more then "normal" pets are

 

I feel bad for all of you whos parents don’t appreciate your fish. When I brought my guppies home ( they were part of an art installation I did at my school) my dad got really into it and got his own tank. And now we have a few small tanks in our apartment. It’s unfortunate not everyone can appreciate fish

 

To be honest I normally make fun of myself. When I did a fish swap with someone I met from here all day I was like I'm a crazy fish guy trading fish. I often have people look in my 20 gal planted tank and ask where the fish are because I decided to go for a micro community setup. I got rid of all my fish and started with only some sparkling gouramis. It does kinda bother me that people say they love my tank but say it looks like its just plants.

 

I got into bettas because I wanted a little "easy fish" in a bowl on my desk while I work...

But researched and realized all they need, and gradually added more and more until I have 4 established tanks that I don't even want to know the combined cost thereof. Lol.

My husband laughs a little- but he also finds it sweet. And the best bonus- I've never seen bettas as happy as mine. They've got so much personality and verve. None of the listless floating I see from the ones in vases.

Ive spent a ton of money on my "little fish in a bowl" hahah. And now I'm about to drop some serious cash on setting a saltwater tank up at home. My husband gave up half of his built in bar so I could have a dedicated fish tank space. I'm excited but terrified. Yikes. LOL. I love my betta though she does have tons of personality and seems very happy.

 

I think after the 4th tank everyone got bored of making fun of me. =)

 

I haven't even fully cycled my first tank yet, but my grandma got snarky about how much i'm spending on my future betta LUL
in context: I bought a 10 gallon aquarium kit (65$), a stand (45$), silk plants (30$), food (9$) and i'm getting more supplies today haha
I just want my baby to live a good life!!

 

ALL pets/animals should be cared for with optimal care. 'Nuff said.

It's all relative. A lot like love is: If I love my wifey, if I gave her a bag of Skittles or something on our anniversary, she'd love 'em...or if I gave her a $10K ring for our our anniversary, she'd love it just the same. If I had an antique car and loved it--well..it's not a newer, more modern car, but I love it. And I do love to care for it. If I had ONE pet crayfish, and had a HUGE 75 gal. tank for ONLY him, and cared for that tank and him as well, hence...love and care etc. examples like that. It's relative. So forget what everyone else thinks. Capice?

 

Since I'm not aloud any more bettas I should secretly breed the ones I have :>. My mom is a sucker for animals and wouldn't make me sell them. I also want to get some female guppys and "Pretend" I don't know there pregnant and have some guppy fry!

 

I think people don’t care about fish because they aren’t furry and they can’t be pet.

People with dogs may spend thousands yearly when a small 5 gallon tank that’s well kept may cost only a couple hundred.