Bettas really aren't that different from other fish. They breathe air from the surface, yes it's true, but their reputation of being inactive is mostly BECAUSE of being kept in tanks that aren't roomy enough (or bowls, of course). They aren't any more resistant to temperature changes or water chemistry/quality fluctuations and drops than other fish. They may not zoom around like danios, but they aren't just lumps on a log, either.
Would you ever put a sparkling gourami in a 2.5 gallon tank? Or an Apistogramma? These fish look to be the right size for such a tank (bettas generally get even bigger than these fish) but yet, no one would dream of putting them in such a small tank.
I am not doubting that a betta can be healthy and live a long life in a 2.5 gallon tank that is properly maintained and kept stable - the addition of live plants being pretty much a must have, in my book. However I guarantee you that that same betta will do even better in a 5 gallon tank or even a 10 gallon tank. Bettas don't just sit still. They do spend some time resting, and they especially seem to like hiding in between grasses or laying about, hammock style, near the surface on plants (real or fake) however, that is not all they do...and they would really appreciate more than a foot of horizontal space. If people keep them that way it is for their own personal reasons (space constraints, economy, etc.) it is not because that is the best setup for them.
Would you ever put a sparkling gourami in a 2.5 gallon tank? Or an Apistogramma? These fish look to be the right size for such a tank (bettas generally get even bigger than these fish) but yet, no one would dream of putting them in such a small tank.
I am not doubting that a betta can be healthy and live a long life in a 2.5 gallon tank that is properly maintained and kept stable - the addition of live plants being pretty much a must have, in my book. However I guarantee you that that same betta will do even better in a 5 gallon tank or even a 10 gallon tank. Bettas don't just sit still. They do spend some time resting, and they especially seem to like hiding in between grasses or laying about, hammock style, near the surface on plants (real or fake) however, that is not all they do...and they would really appreciate more than a foot of horizontal space. If people keep them that way it is for their own personal reasons (space constraints, economy, etc.) it is not because that is the best setup for them.
