Finding an item for Big/Lil Sis week

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally posted by Taualumna
Are fish really a good idea? Pets, including fish, aren't usually allowed in dorms.

Maybe in Canada...in the US, fish are about the one pet you CAN still have in dorms.

[KillarneyRose]

Originally posted by gdigirlfriend
lurker here, but I had to reply to this.

Bettas are NOT solitary fish, and contrary to popular opinion (and Petsmart! arg), they do not enjoy being in small spaces. As air breathers, they are able to survive in small spaces, but you could also live in a 5 foot box. It just would not be comfortable. In fact, living in such a small space will make them prone to a disease called finrot, unless the water is changed completely every day. Bettas are also jumpers- thus, you need a tank with a top, preferably. Dried up bettas under your feet are not fun. Finally, a tank needs to be AT LEAST a gallon (water changed every 3-4 days) and preferably at least 2.5 gallons. Why? Because bettas are tropical fish and need water around 73-76 degrees. You can not safely do this in a margarita glass.

Bettas are wonderful fish. But they are animals and pets, just like dogs or cats. Thus, they need care. Honestly, I think they are a bad gift idea because people don't know how to care for them. If you do give her a betta, maybe print out some care info for her and include it. Like I said, bettas are great, and can (and should) live up to 3 years in your care. Just take care of them correctly.

FYI, I have 3 male bettas (the type you typically see in pet stores) and 6 females. I have been an avid betta raiser for about 3 years.


a great website is www.livejournal.com/users/bettafishowners

or www.livejournal.com/bettas

Thank you for replying to my post! I honestly thought that bettas felt comfortable living in a small space and I'm glad you pointed out that this is not the case. Now it's breaking my heart thinking of all those plastic cups full of bettas PetSmart keeps on their shelves. Shame on them for telling customers the fish *prefer* living like that

[ms_gwyn]

PetSmart is EVIL

on many issues, this is just one of them

[blueangel]

Yep, they ARE evil. I called the humane society about the way they treated their birds.

My avian vet told me some REALLY sad stories about some of the birds that came in to her from that store.

[ejbiff]

I think the Beta in a large margarita glass is a great, cute idea. BUT only for a short time. Maybe you could find a small, but appropriate sized tank for her to transfer the beta to after you give it to her. You can decorate the larger tank for her and have it all ready with water and everything.That way you can give her the fish in the glass, but not be cruel and keep it there.

[honeychile]

FWIW, PetSmart is the only place that seems to carry the treat Buffy loves the best! That's Choc au Lait Doggie Drops - they look like Nestle Chocolate Chips, only don't have chocolate in them.

I still don't like the lone fish idea, though - just seems a little cruel.

[SouthernXO]

Thanks everyone! Yeah, I was gonna give her an extra tank too b/c my beta fish last year jumped out of the decorative thing I had it in. My friend who was in the room at the time thought something had fallen from the ceiling! I saved it though. It's a resiliant little sucker, I love it. I just thought the margarita glass would be cute at first, and then she could use it for decoration later too. I'll check out Johanns and AC Moore, only two places I haven't checked yet. Thanks!

[Stef the Pef]

LOL, my high school English teacher's betta got put into an oversized WSU margarita glass after being a class pet for a while That fish must be a one and a half years old now? Those fish are great because they don't die off so soon. I've seen even larger plastic glasses at Wal-Mart in the aisle of summer stuff that were kind of cute.

I heard that they were supposed to be separate from other fish because they tend to fight--is that also not true? Wow.

[tunatartare]

That's what I heard too- that you can't keep more than 1 betta in the same tank because they'll fight.

[gdigirlfriend]

Originally posted by KLPDaisy
That's what I heard too- that you can't keep more than 1 betta in the same tank because they'll fight.

Bettas are extremely territorial. Males can not be kept together, or with any fish that looks similar to them in finnage (such as fancy guppies). They will fight each other and can tear each other apart. Bettas will attack any fish that has similar fins that look like bettas. Pet stores are right about this, and most nationwide chains sell males- long fins are how you tell (99% of the time). However, the cups they are kept in must have holes in them, as they are air breathers. And never, ever buy a "betta in a vase". Bettas need access to the surface, clean water, and they do NOT eat plant roots. It will be a last resort when they are starving to death. Unfortunately, they can live a fwe months this way.

Females are also very territorial, but they can be kept together in groups of 3 or more. They will fight, but they will establish a pecking order that stays pretty constant. However, both males and females are perfectly fine staying in a tank by themselves, or in a community tank with other fish (just make sure they aren't small enough for the betta to eat! )

If you are looking for a tank, Walmart sells Minibow tanks in a one gallon size. One gallon is really the smallest you can do, but it works great for a dorm room. The tank comes with a hood, light, and a cute base. It comes in a few colors (I have two teal ones)- teal, red, blue, and purple I think. You could probably decorate the colored base that comes with it. It also comes with a filter. The best part is, the whole set up is $14 at Walmart! Right now, that is the only store that carries them, though in 6 months all pet stores will be able to stock them. Just don't get one of those teeny, tiny tanks that are sold as "betta tanks". A gallon size is really the minimum.

But yes, chain pet stores can be terrible. The misinformation they provide is an atrocity. I walked out of a Petco the other day when an employee was telling a young girl that her two male bettas would love living in one 5 gallon tank together. Instead, her bettas would likely fight until one of them was destroyed and killed by a disease.

As far as getting the fish itself- try and go to a local fish store that is afmily owned. Usually, the bettas are healthier. Regardless, look for bettas that are flaring in their cup (ugh) and seem lively. Avoid dirty water, avoid bettas that seem listless and just sit at the bottom of the cup. I good thing to look for is a betta who has bubbles all around the edge of their cup. Make sure their fins seem to be in one piece and don't have holes or fraying edges (a sign of fin rot). When you get him home, bettas should be fed pellets, that can be found in the betta section. They are carnivores, so no flakes for them!

[SouthernXO]

Thanks everyone! All the advice really helped! I'm gonna have to go get some different food for my beta, haha. Good thing the guy is such a toughie! I'll definetly be looking around.

[KDwxgrrl]

I am the proud owner of a betta fish for almost 2 years now. He lives very happily in a 1-gallon tank with 2 little plants, a decorative rock, and an air pump. I feed him little betta pellets.

One thing I didn't see mentioned: NO tap water for them, it will kill them right away. Bottled spring water from the store at room temperature is best.

[PinkSigma3]

Or just use tap water purifier bc itd get pretty expensive to buy bottled water every time you change the water. I guess its not so bad for a gallon tank...but I have a 5 gallon tank and i just use tap water purifier.

[adpiucf]

Is anyone else craving sushi?

[tunatartare]

OMG you're terrible! But yes, in fact, I am.