Set a betta newbie straight... I've read throughout these forums that Bettas are happier in a 10G tank, with a suitable heater, and adequate filtration. I didn't really give it another thought until I went into the local Petsmart, when I suddenly became aware of just how much cruelty goes on in that place since I started really digging into these forums and paying attention to my tank.
While I was there, a woman came in with her daughter, and explained to the girl working that she was surprised her betta in a 2.5G had died, since she had "used spring water and a filter." No heater, small tank. The girl explained that the fish was probably stressed, needed more chemicals added to its water, etc, and that the water should only be changed once a month, at most. No mention of heaters at all. None of this made ANY sense to me, so I couldn't resist chiming in. "Do you know your ammonia levels?", I asked, and she said no. I explained ammonia test kits. I also mentioned that from what I have read, bettas will prefer a 10G, which is not overkill, contrary to popular belief. At that point, the emplyee chimed in, "I really wouldn't recommend a 10G tank", she said, giving me a dirty look, "since bettas swim slowly with their fins, and they need to reach the surface to breathe." This is the same girl who mauled my neon tetras on the counter when they jumped out of her net (they later died), and didn't know the difference between java fern and java moss.
I gave up quickly, not wanting to cause a scene, but I was fuming in my car. This seemed like ego-based cruelty to me, but then today while I was examining some betta products in the mall, a tag mentioned that bettas can breathe gas close to the water surface.
Set me straight: was I right to be totally pissed off with the Petsmart employee?
Either way, as an educated fishkeeper, does the futility of mass-market fish care get you down/make you mad?
Am I taking this too seriously?
While I was there, a woman came in with her daughter, and explained to the girl working that she was surprised her betta in a 2.5G had died, since she had "used spring water and a filter." No heater, small tank. The girl explained that the fish was probably stressed, needed more chemicals added to its water, etc, and that the water should only be changed once a month, at most. No mention of heaters at all. None of this made ANY sense to me, so I couldn't resist chiming in. "Do you know your ammonia levels?", I asked, and she said no. I explained ammonia test kits. I also mentioned that from what I have read, bettas will prefer a 10G, which is not overkill, contrary to popular belief. At that point, the emplyee chimed in, "I really wouldn't recommend a 10G tank", she said, giving me a dirty look, "since bettas swim slowly with their fins, and they need to reach the surface to breathe." This is the same girl who mauled my neon tetras on the counter when they jumped out of her net (they later died), and didn't know the difference between java fern and java moss.
I gave up quickly, not wanting to cause a scene, but I was fuming in my car. This seemed like ego-based cruelty to me, but then today while I was examining some betta products in the mall, a tag mentioned that bettas can breathe gas close to the water surface.
Set me straight: was I right to be totally pissed off with the Petsmart employee?
Either way, as an educated fishkeeper, does the futility of mass-market fish care get you down/make you mad?
Am I taking this too seriously?