Ethical Issues: Siamese FF

[dwf73]

Hi- I would like to open a thread concerning an issue that affects a large number of us as tropical fish hobbyists, namely, the issue of keeping Siamese Fighting Fish in the home aquarium. Since almost all of us have some experience with this particular species, and since there is a lot of argument over whether or not they should be kept in small (<2g) tanks, I thought it would be helpful to share our own thoughts on the subject. Limiting ourselves to the discussion of the Siamese breed, which I believe is the most common for home enjoyment, I would like to pose the question of whether or not you think it is appropriate to confine the fish to small aquariums. The argument obviously goes both ways, and there is plenty of support from each side, so I guess I'll start with my personal opinion-
I have kept SFF in both small and medium-large habitats, and I can honestly attest to the validity of the statement, "They do just as well in 2 gallons as they do in 20." Based on health, feeding patterns, and lifespan, I have not witnessed any significant differences between the two strategies. Of course, this does not mean they are equally content in both situations, but I tend to believe that it is perfectly acceptable to keep them in a small volume of water. All right, there's my take, anyone else?

[OrionGirl]

With proper maintenance, I see no problem having them in as small as 2 gallon tanks. I do NOT think anything smaller than that can be kept clean and stable by the average aquariast. This excludes flow-thorugh breeder setups, which clearly have a larger volume of water than the dimensions of the tank.

[snakeskinner]

When I had mine in my 55 gallon, he did nothing but chase the other fish away. I bought a 1 gallon tank system with UGF and added a live plant and he seems very happy. He knows when I'm coming to feed and comes to get his food and then finds a place to rest. I don't however, like the small bowls people have for them but 1 gallon settings seem to be just perfect for them since they rarely move anywhere and like to be alone and not have anyone to worry about. Kyle

[TKOS]

Seeing as how these fish need no special setup and the cost of a bare 5 gallon is quite small, I think that 5 gallons should be the minimum size tank. that being said, with proper maintanence there is no reason that a Betta can't live a long, comfortable life in a 2 gallon tank. I just wish that they wouldn't sell tanks that small in such large quantities as I know they are being filled with fish like goldfish.

[Aquarius0015]

One of my friends uses a 1 gallon setup with UGF and a java fern. He swims around actively and seems really healthy. IME some bettas are very active while others are slugs. It depends a lot on the individual, but that being said, it's better to have extra space for a lazy fish even if he does not use it all.

In a perfect world, we would all have the money and space for each betta to have his own 10 gallon tank with live plants, a heater, a power filter, live foods, etc. However, 1 gallon with a UGF and proper care is better than a 'betta bowl.

[F.sparverius]

Betta have always seemed to do better in larger tanks,at least in my experience. When I was really young my parents got me one of those tiny hexagonal tanks and the poor betta did not live over a month. I've also seen bettas at school live for short periods of time in small tanks.

I had a betta and an emerald cory in a 10 gallon set up for 8 years and the two did wonderfully. They probably would have lived longer but the seals broke on the tank....

This is my current betta set up and he seems quite happy with it.

http://www.dansjp3page.com/hosting/burgess/bettatank.jpg

5 gallon tank

[PumaWard]

I think it really depends on the personallity of the fish itself. I have had a betta which fell sick if I kept him in anything but a 2g vase. My last attempt at moving him into a larger tank lead to his getting cotton fungus and dying.
On the same note, I have another male betta whom I feel bad about keeping in a 4g because he's obviously not very happy, and I think I will try relocating him soon (this is the same male betta that spawned several times in my 75g community).

As for keeping them in something, anything over twice the size of those cups seem big to them because it's been so long since they've been in anything larger.

Anyway, I think if you have a responsible aquarist, a happy fish and healthy fish, then the container doesn't really matter as long as the fish has room to move to his heart's desire (which goes back to tank size depending on individual fish).

[shewlett]

I agree with TKOS, I think a planted 5 gallon tank is the optimum minimum for a betta. Even a 5 gallon is tough to keep the water parameters stable, including temperature. Sure, a 2 gallon is much better than a pint bowl, but I think a 5 gallon is the optimum minimum.

F.sparverius, nice ten gallon tank! Having a betta live 8 years is quite an accomplishment. If you bought him from a LFS he was probably close to a year old when you bought him. It's a shame his tank's seals gave out.

PumaWard, I have heard that some bettas get stressed out in a larger environment than they are used to because they have more territory to patrol than they can handle ... maybe it depends on the age of the fish with older fishes being less adaptable.

[fishdude]

well i have TWO bettas in a 29 and they even interact with one another to some point then the big guy flares and scares him away but its fun watching the little on hide behind a plant leaf on the big bettas side just so he can get into the driftwood

i have once seen them BOTH go in the driftwood (the its fake fake) maybe ill have baby bettas soon who knows :p

but i do think they can go in 1g tanks as long as they are taken care of

now i DO NOT believe in those small cups they keep them in at walmart

[dethjam316]

not to be a jerk, but i wish people would do a search (heck, a google search and an AC search would yield a ton) and see the like gazillion threads about this rather than post yet another thread moaning the cruelty of keeping bettas in small tanks.

[dwf73]

I wasnt implying anything about the cruelty, in fact I was doing just the opposite. I apologize for seeking the opinions of people of this forum.

[shewlett]

I'm glad you posted the topic. There have been similar posts in the past but your post has elicited some interesting information in my opnion. I was particularly interested in F. sparverius' post about the betta that he kept for eight years in a ten gallon tank and hope he posts more details such as water parameters, water temperature, tank maintenance particulars, etc.