Educating people on bettas

My elective just changed to a science related class. It is supposed to teach us about various jobs in the science field(Engineering, astrology, chemistry, that kind of stuff) and my teacher has 2 bettas in small 1/2 gallon tanks(I wouldn't call them tanks) on her desk with no filter or heater. They just kind of appeared today. Anyways, I want to tell her about what she should do to make their conditions better. I'm not sure how to approach her, as I have only had her for a couple weeks. I wanted to make a pamphlet about betta care but I am not sure what I should include.
Here are my ideas-

Talking to her
-Say something along the lines of "Hey Mrs.-----, I noticed you have some bettas. I am interested in getting into the field of ichthyology(Which is true) and thought I could help you with your betta tanks." than I'd go on about tank size, filters and heaters necessary, how bettas don't live in mud puddles and live in large rice patties.

Brochure
-Recommended tank size and temperature
-tank mates(Shrimp, snails)
-why they need a filter and heater
-Most importantly-The nitrogen cycle- how it isn't stable in a tank that small, why it is necessary for a fish tank
-Also recommended products-seachem prime, TSS, API master kit, that kind of stuff
-I want to recommend she check out FishLore and some other sites

Other
-I have an empty ten gallon I wanted to give her(If she would accept) as well as some gravel
-I wanted to make her a divider for the ten gallon too(I have excess divider supplies).

I don't want to make it seem like I'm telling her what to do. Any ideas?

Also, any other websites(So she knows I'm not lying about this) that outline betta care I should tell her about? I just want to make the bettas happy, but I don't want to get on her bad side:/

 

That sounds like a great idea. Just be respectful and wait for the appropriate time! Good luck and let us know how it goes!

 

Thank you I feel bad for the bettas. We are working on a paper airplane project right now(I'm almost done, so hopefully I can talk the her soon) so everyone is in and out of the room doing their own thing, so hopefully I can talk to her about it soon.
I will definitely let you know how it goes I will probably post a link to the pamphlet so anyone can use it if they want.

 

Thank you I feel bad for the bettas. We are working on a paper airplane project right now(I'm almost done, so hopefully I can talk the her soon) so everyone is in and out of the room doing their own thing, so hopefully I can talk to her about it soon.
I will definitely let you know how it goes I will probably post a link to the pamphlet so anyone can use it if they want.

Post a pic of the paper airplane! I would love to see the pamphlet! I love seeing people trying to help animals! :-D

 

Post a pic of the paper airplane!

Which one? I've made about 15...

Me too, It helps that I have fishy people at my LPS. I did try starting a betta rescue(Didn't work out) but that's for another thread.

 

I'd put the divider in the 10 and bring it in then talk to her you don't know how she'd react if you go up and try to tell her about the fish some people get defensive with stuff but if you bring it in and say I had this extra tank and wanted you to have it for the bettas you're helping the fish and not getting into a potentially bad situation

 

I like that idea! I would still like to educate her on bettas a little bit though. Just to be sure she doesn't go off and get 2 more to fill the empty spaces.


-Fins sent from my ipad

 

I think you'll do fine. People who love pets (of any species) generally have that love shining out of their eyes when they talk about them! I'm sure she'll see that you care about the bettas, and aren't trying to tell her off.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!


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Ask her out on a date, then you'll have plenty of time to talk about fish. j/k

 

I think that's a great idea! Let us know how it goes

Sent from my SM-J320P using Fish Lore Aquarium Fish Forum mobile app

 

Great idea! Like already said, be respectful and at the right time (not in front of the entire class)

 

Flowingfins expanding on your idea of what to say.. Sometimes people do get defensive if you go about saying things the wrong way. Wording and direction is EVERYTHING when confronting someone about something they are doing wrong or don't know enough about.

-Say something along the lines of "Hey Mrs.-----, Those are beautiful bettas! I am actually interested in getting into the field of ichthyology and have been studying a lot on all sorts of fish and their varying needs. Bettas are great fish to keep and each one has its own personality. Something that is a little upsetting to me is, though, is how much they are misunderstood." than talk a bit about how bettas don't live in mud puddles but actually live in large rice patties, minimum tank size, the need for filters and heaters...(but not too into detail) Then you could tell her that you have a spare divided 10that you would love to donate if she is interested

 

Flowingfins expanding on your idea of what to say.. Sometimes people do get defensive if you go about saying things the wrong way. Wording and direction is EVERYTHING when confronting someone about something they are doing wrong or don't know enough about.

-Say something along the lines of "Hey Mrs.-----, Those are beautiful bettas! I am actually interested in getting into the field of ichthyology and have been studying a lot on all sorts of fish and their varying needs. Bettas are great fish to keep and each one has its own personality. Something that is a little upsetting to me is, though, is how much they are misunderstood." than talk a bit about how bettas don't live in mud puddles but actually live in large rice patties, minimum tank size, the need for filters and heaters...(but not too into detail) Then you could tell her that you have a spare divided 10that you would love to donate if she is interested

I want to quadruple like this.

I love the project idea and the way of incorporating your own interests into scholastic education but also the teachers' education.

 

Nippy Fish has a great article on the "Bettas live in puddles" myth, plus a whole lot of care info. Good luck!

Just to echo what Mongoose said, be respectful and non-confrontational. Wording is everything! Instead of saying, "YOU are keeping your Bettas wrong", which tends to put people on the defensive, say "I keep a Betta in a 10 gallon tank because..."

 

Flowingfins expanding on your idea of what to say.. Sometimes people do get defensive if you go about saying things the wrong way. Wording and direction is EVERYTHING when confronting someone about something they are doing wrong or don't know enough about.

-Say something along the lines of "Hey Mrs.-----, Those are beautiful bettas! I am actually interested in getting into the field of ichthyology and have been studying a lot on all sorts of fish and their varying needs. Bettas are great fish to keep and each one has its own personality. Something that is a little upsetting to me is, though, is how much they are misunderstood." than talk a bit about how bettas don't live in mud puddles but actually live in large rice patties, minimum tank size, the need for filters and heaters...(but not too into detail) Then you could tell her that you have a spare divided 10that you would love to donate if she is interested

This was supposed to be a quote--

Nippy Fish has a great article on the "Bettas live in puddles" myth, plus a whole lot of care info. Good luck!



Just to echo what Mongoose said, be respectful and non-confrontational. Wording is everything! Instead of saying, "YOU are keeping your Bettas wrong", which tends to put people on the defensive, say "I keep a Betta in a 10 gallon tank because.....

I definitely don't want to make it seem like I'm being rude.

I like your ideas I'm hoping that if I come across like we are talking about fish and I'm not directly telling her what's wrong with her bettas it won't be as bad.

Thank you for the links Aquaphobia


-Fins sent from my ipad

 

Aqua, have you read that link? They do live in puddles many times though not by choise. Obviously it's better to keep them in a large tank but it's not a myth that their found in puddles in their native habitat.

 

Aqua, have you read that link? They do live in puddles many times though not by choise. Obviously it's better to keep them in a large tank but it's not a myth that their found in puddles in their native habitat.

Actually, I have read that link. Read it and understood it. They don't "live" in puddles. They may have been found surviving in some, but it is a myth that they live in them.

 

Actually, I have read that link. Read it and understood it. They don't "live" in puddles. They may have been found surviving in some, but it is a myth that they live in them.

I disagree, living and surviving are the same. I don't know much about their wet/dry seasons but apparently many survive [live] until the rainy season floods the plains. Are they not living in jars at the pet stores? It's not ideal but they can live a long life in a jar, i've heard of people having them like that for over 5 years. I'm not condoning it but their survival skills from being forced into puddles are what gives them the ability to live in glass jars.

 

I've found my cats in trees. They're alive but it doesn't mean they live there.

 

I disagree, living and surviving are the same. I don't know much about their wet/dry seasons but apparently many survive [live] until the rainy season floods the plains. Are they not living in jars at the pet stores? It's not ideal but they can live a long life in a jar, i've heard of people having them like that for over 5 years. I'm not condoning it but their survival skills from being forced into puddles are what gives them the ability to live in glass jars.

However, they aren't comfortable and prefer rice patties. Imo, living is survival with enjoyment, or at least better off than survival. Even though they can live in 1/2 gallon bowls doesn't mean we should force them to live in one!

 

Most animals have limited control over where they live. No fish has ever made a choise to live in our fish tanks. Would you say yours live in your tank or are they just surviving?

 

I do agree that living and surviving are very different though. Surviving is having the bare minimum needed to stay alive, like a homeless person per se. They get barely enough food and water, but yet they still live. Compare that to a rich person with a mansion and fancy food, they are very different things.
It says in the article that bettas will hop from puddle to puddle to get to a larger pond because the don't like the small spaces. It also says that it rains frequently, so they are not in the puddles for long, the bettas do not live in the puddles for very long and the unfortunate ones who do end up in the puddles for an extended period of time die.

Most fish kept in our aquariums are captive bred and don't know what it is like to live in the wild. It is our responsibility, as their caretakers, to make sure we give them the proper housing and food.

This was not meant to turn into another debate about betta living conditions. Can we please stop arguing?

I didn't get a chance to talk to my teacher today, too much was going on. I have been working on the "Brochure" for her. I may not give it to her, but it would still be nice to have one for when I go to the pet stores.


-Fins, sent from my iPhone using the fishlore aquarium app

 

Sorry about that Fin, I have a big problem with that lol! If you can, would you mind posting the brochure on here?

 

Sorry about that Fin, I have a big problem with that lol! If you can, would you mind posting the brochure on here?

It's quite alright I just really don't want anyone turning on each other

I will definitely post it! I might need you guys to help me revise it


-Fins, sent from my iPhone using the fishlore aquarium app

 

Keep us updated Flowingfins. I have kind of given up on explaining why my betta lives in a five gallon tank with heater and filter myself, instead of a flower vase or a cup. My mom brings it up almost every conversation now, I know she means well but she is more of a mammal type pet owner (dogs and cats) versus fish, and reptiles. She asks about my lizard too lol.

 

Keep us updated Flowingfins. I have kind of given up on explaining why my betta lives in a five gallon tank with heater and filter myself, instead of a flower vase or a cup. My mom brings it up almost every conversation now, I know she means well but she is more of a mammal type pet owner (dogs and cats) versus fish, and reptiles.

I understand. My mom keeps trying to get me to get rid of my "excess" fish stuff(so what if I have 3 empty tanks lying around, they'll get used) and wants me to get 1 big tank to put them all in together.

It really does get on my nerves when people tell me I'm keeping my bettas wrong. If you had done the proper research before buying your pet, we'd be having a different conversation

Hopefully I'll be able to talk to my teacher soon

-Fins, sent from my iPhone using the fishlore aquarium app

 

I understand. My mom keeps trying to get me to get rid of my "excess" fish stuff(so what if I have 3 empty tanks lying around, they'll get used) and wants me to get 1 big tank to put them all in together.

It really does get on my nerves when people tell me I'm keeping my bettas wrong. If you had done the proper research before buying your pet, we'd be having a different conversation

Hopefully I'll be able to talk to my teacher soon

-Fins, sent from my iPhone using the fishlore aquarium app 濾

The thing about parents is they never stop trying to parent you lol. See I'm an adult with my own kids and I most likely will still parent my own kids when they are adults too.

I wish you luck.

 

I understand. My mom keeps trying to get me to get rid of my "excess" fish stuff(so what if I have 3 empty tanks lying around, they'll get used) and wants me to get 1 big tank to put them all in together.

That'd be interesting

 

I get that, it just bothers me. I know it shouldn't, but I'm very protective of my fishy babies

She's starting to realize that I know quite a bit about fish(I am, by no means an expert) and started trusting me, she even bought me a nice tank stand! Hopefully I can get her interested in the hobby...


-Fins, sent from my iPhone using the fishlore aquarium app

 

Sorry fin, didn't mean to hijack your thread, I think we all can agree that it's better to house out bettas in 'real aquariums' rather than jars.

 

Good news! My teacher accepted the tank! I'm glad, one of them has started I get a little bit of finrot.


-Fins, sent from my iPhone using the fishlore aquarium app

 

Yay! What did she say? Did you tell her how to take care of the fin rot? If you have the chance can you take a picture of the tank in the classroom?

 

Yay! What did she say? Did you tell her how to take care of the fin rot? If you have the chance can you take a picture of the tank in the classroom?

She was excited, I didn't get chance to talk to her much because it was when class was changing so I only had 4 minutes to get to my next class. I will definitely try to. I'm not sure If she will let me though.


-Fins, sent from my iPhone using the fishlore aquarium app

 

That's awesome that she accepted the tank! This seems to be going well so far

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Congratulations!
Maybe now that you've sparked her interest she'll do some of her own research too... Fingers crossed that everything continues going well!


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And maybe another aquarist is born.... I'm so glad that your teacher was open to what you were trying to convey. Sometimes it's hard to find that fine line between gentle education and where the other person draws the line that what they are doing might be construed as wrong...and so gets defensive. It sounds like you might have been successful at discovering where the invisible line in the sand is. Kudos to you!!

 

Thanks guys It will be about a week before I can bring it in though:/ I have her 1st period and our schedule flips to 5,6,3,4,1,2 instead of 1,2,3,4,5,6 every other week. I don't want to carry it around all day. I have jazz band in the mornings before school so I can't bring it to her early.

 

Great Job! I am very happy and strangely proud! Keep us informed on how it is going!

 

My teacher would never possibly change her betta any more tanks. She would not even change the water every two days, instead only one week. the betta now is in a vase that hold 1 gallon tank. Try to save the betta but not really working and he is so CUTE!

it feels stupid when the person you try to tell truth is regretting your answer. sigh.