I really don't understand people who own fish but get obnoxiously upset when you try and tell them you need to care for fish.
I'm not talking about forcing someone from plastic or painted decor to a fully planted tank... I'm talking about people who don't cycle and then change water once a year. Or continually dump fist fulls of food into the tank to the point it's accumulating and decaying. Or the people who don't think fish need water conditioner or heaters or filters in general and are happy in a vase. Or flush live fish because they're bored of them. Or who stock carnivores and prey in the same tank and cry all their money got eaten overnight.
Bonus points if people post their stupid fucking opinion that vases are great and their vase fish is happy and thriving to actual fish groups and try and discredit actual fish care.
Like the same people so quick to rush any other sort of pet to the vet will also physically fight you to d e a t h if you even hint that a fish tank needs any sort of routine care.
I can't comprehend how people don't realize fish are alive.
A little girl betta fish plushie! I don't get to make girls very often (and they can be just as gorgeous as the boys!) so it's always a nice change of pace!
Piccolos colors changed and moved around a lot since I got him.
If I didn't know, I'd think he's a different fish, but that's just normal with Bettas.
He's also the chillest betta I've ever had, which is the only reason there are Guppys in his tank. Ignored them from day one. The only thing he's ever threatened was my phone.
When betta fish are sold in tiny cups, many people assume that they do well in small spaces with minimal maintenance or equipment such as heaters or filters.
Tiny betta fish aquariums can only be profitable if consumers misunderstand the needs of betta fish.
Manufacturers like Aqueon, Marina, Penn-Plax Pet Products, and others are still making tiny betta kits -- some as low as 0.25 gal.
These companies are making money off of the suffering of bettas; they are profiting from the misconceptions that they perpetuate.
Betta fish are resilient and are capable of surviving in low-quality conditions.
Bettas should have an aquarium that is a minimum of five gallons, a heater, filter, and lots of plants and hiding spaces to create a stimulating environment.
Please sign the petition asking Aqueon to discontinue its under one gallon betta fish aquariums:
Vienna's colors have really come in now that she's settled :))
I've never had a female Betta flare at everything and anything so much lmao. In the future I think she will definitely need a 10 gallon because she's so active and spicy but for now she's doing very nicely (Also I know there a ton of detritus I couldn't get most of it last water change but the tank is new enough I don't want to change too much water too often so I'll try to get all of it next time 😔)
It's only been set up for a few days, but I'm in love, and I can't stop watching Caius swim and explore the tank.
He's such a curious little man and often investigates the snails when they move quickly or float to the surface. He also likes to watch me when I'm near the tank!
Caius is also a good little eater, having tried and eaten everything I've given him. Here he is after having a meal of bloodworms.
The ramshorns in here are doing well also. I thought this one was cute trying to stretch to another buce leaf!
It is popular to keep a sorority (group of female) Siamese fighting fish (B. splendens). However, the practice of keeping multiple bettas together ought to be considered cruel.
(It should be noted that, in the following text, 'betta' is used to refer specifically to B. splendens unless stated otherwise.)
B. splendens has been selectively bred for centuries to be highly aggressive to conspecifics (individuals of the same species.) In fact, bettas are so aggressive to their own species that two bettas should not even share the same water, as the pheromones from each fish will stress the other and reduce lifespan and overall health. Some bettas are so aggressive that they cannot be kept with any other fish - or even snails or shrimp.
Advocates for betta sororities will often claim that only male bettas are aggressive and/or that keeping a large enough group of bettas in a large enough space will distribute the in-fighting between the fish and thus allow the bettas to survive.
While some bettas in the previously described scenario may survive, the fish will be unduly stressed. Bloating, ripped fins, fungal infections and overall decreased health and reduced lifespans are common in sorority tanks.
Thus, here are five fish to consider getting instead of a betta sorority:
Note: information in links may differ from the information I give. Information I've listed is based on the recommendation of myself/the fish group I'm part of.
Hara jerdoni, Asian stone catfish
Tank base size: 60cm x 22cm (approximately 24inch x 9inch)
Aquarium size: 9,5l (approximately 2.5 US gallons)
Group size: 5 or more
Parameters: 14-29 °C (57-84 °F), pH: 6.5-8, 6-10dH
Obviously not a fish but I felt it worth adding to the list. They are very easy to care for. They also come in a large variety of colours.
Remember
A bigger tank is always better! And it's always better to be below maximum stocking requirements (understocking)!
Larger tanks have more stable parameters and understocked tanks take longer to build up potentially-deadly waste levels. A larger, understocked tank takes less water, effort and time to maintain. It's always better to keep shoaling fish in larger groups, if possible, as this reduces stress and will ensure they live long, happy lives!