I don't understand the last part of your post rocketman- they don't live in little rain puddles- most people just don't understand what a rice paddy is. That's why that myth of "I can keep them in a urine sample cup because they usually live in puddles" got started. (by the way I like that comparison Kikuchiyo.)
Bettas..coldwater?
- Thread starter LittlePuff
- Start date
Yeah yeah I know...thats just my point.
Maybe it got started because Rice paddies themselves are huge - but in the natural world, (so there were no farmers,) maybe the rice 'paddies' or only tiny puddles? Who knows.
Maybe it got started because Rice paddies themselves are huge - but in the natural world, (so there were no farmers,) maybe the rice 'paddies' or only tiny puddles? Who knows.
A true rice paddy
As you can see in the picture, this is a rice paddy. Some are larger, some are smaller. I'd say this one is "average" in size. Its probably 8-10 inches deep in most places. This is thousands of gallons of water we are talking about... and is naturally filtered.
You cannot compare a rice paddy to a crummy (unfiltered, unheated) cup in a pet store.
As you can see in the picture, this is a rice paddy. Some are larger, some are smaller. I'd say this one is "average" in size. Its probably 8-10 inches deep in most places. This is thousands of gallons of water we are talking about... and is naturally filtered.
You cannot compare a rice paddy to a crummy (unfiltered, unheated) cup in a pet store.
I'm from Bangladesh (a lot of the gouramis are native to my country) and AFG is exactly right. Those paddies are ENORMOUS. And it rains constantly. And it's crazy warm - water could easily stay 80 degrees at night. A large body of water (like a rice paddy) could easily mantain a very good temperature.
Before you trot out all that "rice paddies" are puddles hoo haa, go see some for yourself. I was going to ask where these memes get started, but it's often the petstore people that often spread this kind of misinformation (I know Petco had a sign to that effect when I got my betta).
Before you trot out all that "rice paddies" are puddles hoo haa, go see some for yourself. I was going to ask where these memes get started, but it's often the petstore people that often spread this kind of misinformation (I know Petco had a sign to that effect when I got my betta).
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Well thanks, for backing me up. It is always nice when someone who is native to an area can chime in. I just hate the misinformation. Think thats how most myths are started. I make plenty of mistakes, most of which are opinions... not fact. But with Bettas, and the info out there, who could become confused with facts? It's beyond me.
I say that in a non-snotty tone.
I say that in a non-snotty tone.
Bettas are genrally kept in cups at fish stores as they want to stock many but can't have that many large tanks. Bettas will do fine for a couple of weeks ina cup before they are sold. Unfortunatly people come along and figure, why not market this and make small vases with lilies, small hex containers, purses etc... And thus is born the myth of the fish able to live in a small cup.
I dare say that any small fish could survive in a little cup for a few weeks. I mean people cram 6 or 7 goldfish in a tiny bowl and all they do is hover.
I dare say that any small fish could survive in a little cup for a few weeks. I mean people cram 6 or 7 goldfish in a tiny bowl and all they do is hover.
The thing to remember about bettas in cups at the store is that the store isn't a home situation. Usually the fish aren't fed (so less waste) and the temperature remains relatively steady.
The fish store by my parent's house in Cleveland was so good. It's the only fish store I've ever seen that keeps its bettas singly in community tanks with non-hostile fish. The bettas weren't kept in little cups. It was so nice getting my fish there. The smallest tanks the bettas were ever kept in were 10 gallons. I hope they're still like that, I haven't stopped in there in 5 years.
