Betta
splendens are surrounded by myths. Misconceptions about this domesticated betta
species have created a slew of controversies about their care, some perpetuated
by confused owners and many perpetuated by fish supply stores. One of the most
debated topics on betta fish care is one of basic care: What size fish tank
does a betta fish need?
Some claim
that betta splendens do not need more than a few inches of water, citing the
idea that these fish live in mere puddles of water in the native lands the
species originated from. Others say that the size of the tank does not matter as
long as it is not too large or else the betta fish, territorial in nature, will
panic from trying to protect too much territory and thus a large tank will kill
it from stress. On the other end of the spectrum, there are advocates screaming
that anything less than 10 gallons is animal abuse and owners that place their
fish into an environment of less than that should lose the right to own an
animal. Finally, there are those who believe that as long as the water in the
tank is changed regularly and the fish does not appear to be in distress that
it does not matter what sort of tank a betta is kept in.
So what is
the true answer to the betta fish tank question? This can easily be found by
looking at scientific explanation and concepts crucial and essential for the
fish-keeping hobby. First, however, it is important to debunk the myths and
separate them from the truths.
Origin of
the Species
Betta
splendens is the proper name of the commonly sold betta fish, sometimes
referred to as the Siamese fighting fish, in pet stores. There are hundreds of
betta species existing in the wild but long-finned and brightly colored betta
splendens are not one. This is because this form of the betta splendens is a
species of fish entirely man-made through years of domestic breeding for
various desires, such as aggression and/or fin length, and there are enough
genetic differences that identify it as its own domestic species despite
sharing the genus name
splendens of
its short-finned and duller-colored wild counterparts. The wild b. splendens
variety
may not even exist
in pure forms any more, or at least not in high populations, because of the
amount of domestic betta splendens that are sometimes released into the wild
and breed with wild types to produce impure offspring.
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| A wild type betta fish, the Betta enisae. Photo by Kei Sasaki |
Domestic betta
splendens come from a lineage of their wild counterparts of the same name and
various betta species that are native to the areas of Thailand (formally Siam),
Malyasia, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The wild species are found living in rivers,
streams, and rice paddies. The myth that betta fish naturally live in puddles
comes from a misunderstanding of what rice paddies are. These areas of shallow
water are nowhere near puddles; rather, they are pools of water that can be
anywhere from ankle-deep to 6.5 feet deep and contain long, horizontal, space.
Farmers use rice paddies to grow various crops and they can support many semi-aquatic
plant species. The paddies are
deep enough to hold an ecosystem and wild fish species often live in them,
including wild betta species.
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| One of many different styles of rice paddies in Indonesia. Photo by Samuel Matthews |
Companies,
however, have been known to take advantage of such a misconception about the
natural habitat for wild betta species and create dangerous fish tanks that
feature the false factoid on their boxes that betta species originate from
puddles of various countries, including ones where they are not even native. As
a result, the consumer, who would naturally trust a company creating a product
for the wellbeing of the animal, does not look into whether or not these
creatures originate from puddles and the myth circulates like poison, infecting
the minds of all who hear it because it is confirmed by the sight and sale of
products in stores.
Commercially
Available Fish Tanks
There are
literally hundreds of fish tanks to choose from in a pet store or even those
exclusively available online. They range from traditional, rectangular, designs
to modern pieces of abstract art. Some are tall, some are fat, and many are
deadly.
Just because
a tank is available for purchase, it does not mean it is safe for use.
The most
dangerous tanks are ironically usually ones specifically advertised as betta
fish homes, often with the label “ideal betta home” or “best for betta fish”
and other similar phrases that are only not considered false advertising
because of the vague, subjective, wording and the fact that proper betta care
knowledge is often unknown by mainstream pet owners. Holidays and birthdays
become opportunities for companies to take advantage of this lack of animal
care knowledge and they often market novelty tanks designed like candy machines
or glass bowls inside of teddy bears.
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| The "teddy tank" that encourages the use of a betta tank as a toy and nightlight. Photo by Teddytank.com |
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| The controversial "ipond" betta tank in Australia. Photo by MyFishTank.net |
It is not a
North American exclusive marketing technique; these tanks can be found globally
and are just as dangerous in other parts of the world. The Royal Society of the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in the United Kingdom is only one of
many animal welfare groups that addresses the dangers of novelty fish tanks. In
2011, Sophie Adwick, the group’s scientific officer, released this statement on
their website about novelty fish tanks being given as holiday gifts:
“People buying these tanks might think they are
getting a novel or unusual present but it is unlikely to be a happy Christmas
for any fish inside. They are designed and marketed as fashion accessories to
match your living room rather than with any thought of welfare, and are
inadequate homes for these animals. Displaying live fish as ‘art’ encourages
people to see them as replaceable ornaments, rather than living creatures in
need of care and commitment.
“Some tanks are being marketed
as a complete aquarium but include no enrichment (eg. gravel, plants, places to
hide), no mention of the need to provide this and no instructions as to how
many fish can safely be kept in the tank.”
Other
betta-marketed housing units are not even fish tanks at all. These can be the
worst containers to consider housing a betta fish in and unfortunately many used
to be very popular because of their marketing. Betta vases, the arrangement of
a betta fish inside a glass vase with a plant such as a peace lily nesting on
top with its roots exposed to the fish, were once a commonly seen and
advertised fad. These so-called betta homes are still being sold in dollar
stores and large chains such as Walmart with instructions on how to create the
arrangement.
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| A betta vase by AquaCulture, a Walmart brand, with instructions on how to create the arrangement. Photo by Betta Fish Awareness Day |
A
misunderstanding of betta fish care stems into the idea behind these containers.
The betta fish is supposed to live under the plant and receive oxygen from it,
while the plant is supposed to receive, and clean the water of, fertilized
nutrients from the fish excrement. For feeding, the betta fish in this
arrangement is thought to devour the roots. Once examining this arrangement
with a more critical analysis, however, it becomes obvious that this ecosystem
in a vase idea is misconstrued and dangerous to the well being of the animal.
Betta fish
require surface air and frequently go to the top of a tank to breath from it
through the use of their labyrinth organ, which acts like a pair of lungs. With
a plant on top, there is no access to air and new oxygen cannot be circulated
in the water because of this. The plant’s roots do not create oxygen in the
water, making for a slow suffocation of the fish. Betta fish are carnivores and
do not eat plants, so in addition to denial of air the betta fish is starved.
Finally, the only way to remove toxins from fish excrement is through water
changes and with a plant on top this becomes impossible. These betta vases
threaten the animal with suffocation, starvation, and ammonia poisoning,
conditions that when applied to other species would spark out rage in animal
welfare supporters.
With
novelty-style fish tanks out of the question, what are other signs of an
inappropriate home for betta fish? There are two main important factors to
examine before considering a tank: volume and shape.
The
Proper Volume
Very few
fish species can live in small quantities of water but small is a subjective term that can be interpreted differently by
different people. Instead of thinking about tank size in terms of how it looks,
a fish keeper should measure space by the volume of tank. Gallons and/or liters
are the standard measuring units of fish tank volume and small is generally referring to any tank that holds less than 5
gallons (18.92 liters) of water because most species cannot live in a volume so
low due to many factors.
5 gallons is
a special volume too. It is the lowest volume of water that is easiest to
establish the
nitrogen cycle
in. Although cycles can be established in smaller volumes, it is generally a
long, frustrating, process that requires fishless cycling and precision. 5
gallons establishes at an easier rate and there are more options for filters
that suit 5-gallon tanks than there are for smaller sizes and since filters are
only useful if left on every hour, everyday, in order to cycle, they are
useless in smaller tanks that come with them without the intention to cycle.
For a betta
keeper who is new to or inexperienced with the nitrogen cycle and desires to
keep a betta fish in a cycled aquarium, 5 gallons is generally the minimum
standard for easy establishment. With 5 gallons an in-fish cycle can be
established with relative ease, although it is recommended to always establish
fishless in order to avoid ammonia burns. A 5-gallon tank is also easier to
chemically balance and provides other benefits outside of cycling that include
more room for a betta fish to exercise, a larger selection of reliable heaters,
and a prettier aesthetic display. Most importantly, however, is that “a higher
volume of water allows for more stable water conditions and thwarts the waste
concentrations that a polluted betta bowl is subject to—it can go from livable
to toxic literally overnight” (Purser 2007).
A 5-gallon
tank, however, is suitable for only one betta fish and a possible small snail
or shrimp companion that does not emit a high bioload into the water. For
sororities (groups of female betta fish) and other community tanks, the minimum
volume is generally at 10 gallons and up, requiring cycling.
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| A 5 gallon betta tank. Photo by Betta Fish Awareness Day |
For Those
Not Interested in Cycling or Who Are Space Conscious
But what if
it is not possible to have a 5 or 10-gallon fish tank? Is anything smaller
considered abuse or neglect?
Simply put: no. It is not animal abuse or neglect to house a betta fish
in a tank smaller than 5 gallons. To understand why, the definition of abuse
and animal neglect must be considered.
Abuse
— “treat (a person or an animal) with cruelty or violence, especially regularly
or repeated” (The Oxford Dictionary)
Because
abuse is defined here, and other places, as the either violent treatment or
neglect toward human or animal, the definition of animal neglect needs to be
further examined. While the legal definition varies by each American state due
to wording and individual regulation, as well as varying by different
countries, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
(ASPCA) provides a general definition for animal cruelty that is used within
the United States and similarly by other countries by their respective
prevention of cruelty to animals societies.
Animal Neglect
— “a failure to provide an animal with adequate food, drink, veterinary care,
shelter. The neglectful behavior either endangers the animal’s health or causes
physical injury or death.” (ASPCApro.org)
At the basic
level, an animal’s essential needs must be provided on a regular basis in order
to keep the animal healthy and stress free. To determine the minimum tank size
for a betta fish, all one has to do is simply examine the basic needs of a
betta fish and see if a certain tank provides these requirements.
Betta fish
require a few basic needs: a tropical temperature range of water between 76 and
84 degrees that does not regularly have large fluctuations, an environment with
no to few toxins present that are removed through care, places to hide in order
to reduce stress, easy access to surface air, and exercise. These needs are not
negotiable and are required to maintain in order to keep the animal healthy.
Any tank that cannot support these needs is not an appropriate permanent home for a betta fish.
1 gallon
(3.78 liters) is the minimum requirement for a betta fish home because any tank
of lower volume does not have the ability the regularly maintain a constant
temperature without large fluctuations. A regular tropical temperature range
that remains mostly consistent would be impossible within a tank that holds
less than 1 gallon and there are very few heaters that would fit in a tank of
such size let alone maintain a constant temperature without overheated the
animal.
In addition
to temperature, a 1-gallon tank is also the smallest size in which naturally
occurring toxins in the water can be easily regulated. Because clear water does
not mean healthy or even safe water, the appearance of a fish tank is the worst
way to judge whether or not conditions are appropriate. Ammonia is the number
one killer of betta fish and it is excreted into the water through food, waste,
and exhale from the gills. Tanks that hold less than 1 gallon of water are
subjected to high ammonia spikes and easily poison the fish living inside.
The
Importance of Shape
Tank shape
is also important to consider when purchasing a tank because like most fish
species, betta splendens prefer long, horizontal, spaces rather than vertical
ones. Vertical spaces allow for less access to air and some breeds that have
particularly long, heavy, fins may struggle to get to the surface easily. Horizontal
spaces allow more room to swim and easy access to the surface.
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| A fish tank with more horizontal room than vertical room. Photo by Fishtanknow.com |
It is less
important that a fish tank blends into a room than the quality of living space
it provides the living, feeling, creature inside. Although horizontal tanks may
take up more room than vertical ones, a fish has no business living in an
unsuitable environment simply because it is more aesthetically pleasing to the
owner.
Why Bigger is
Better
As long as a
fish tank is at least 1 gallon of water, can provide room for a heater without
worry for large temperature fluctuations, and room to swim, it can be an
appropriate permanent betta fish home with proper maintenance and care.
However, if more room can be provided for this charming aquatic creature then
it should be given. There are studies existing that show betta fish living in
larger spaces have an extended lifespan and a better quality of life.
Tropical
Fish Hobbyist Magazine writer Philip A. Purser described such experiments in
his article Better Betta-Keeping,
explaining that “specimens confined to tiny bowls seldom exceed 18 months to 2
years in captivity, while free-ranging specimens housed in larger aquaria may
thrive for more than seven or eight years!” (Purser 2007).
If it is
possible to provide an animal with the best quality of care, then why not
provide to the best of one’s ability? Betta fish have the unfortunate plague of
misconceptions that harm their care and lower their lifespan. By looking
critically at the myths and misconceptions that plague this beautiful species,
a step can be taken toward improving their care and giving them a more
deserving life.
*Because fish tanks that hold less than 1 gallon of water are harmful to fish health and often lead to their deaths, we have created a petition that has a goal of the voluntary ending their sale at PetSmart. If interested, please look at and sign the petition here. Thank you.*
References
Denaro,
Mark. "Splendid Bettas." Tropical
Fish Hobbyist Magazine. Tropical Fish Hobbyist, Oct. 2011. Web. 12 Oct.
2012. <http://www.tfhmagazine.com/details/articles/splendid-bettas-full-article.htm>.
F.,
Christine. "Choosing a Tank." Choosing
a Tank | Betta Fish Care. Nippyfish.net, n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2012.
<http://nippyfish.net/bettas-101/choosing-a-tank/>.
Fenner, Bob.
"Choosing and Caring For The Betta Fish." Choosing and Caring For The Betta Fish. FishChannel.com, 24 Apr.
2012. Web. 12 Oct. 2012.
<http://www.fishchannel.com/aquarium-fish/betta-keeping-tips.aspx>.
Purser,
Philip A. "Better Betta-Keeping." Tropical
Fish Hobbyist Magazine. Tropical Fish Hobbyist, Apr. 2007. Web. 12 Oct.
2012. <http://www.tfhmagazine.com/details/articles/better-bettakeeping.htm>.
RSPCA
Australia Knowledgebase. "What Sort of Environment Should Siamese Fighting
Fish Be Kept In?" RSPCA Australia
Knowledgebase RSPCA Australia, 04 Mar. 2011. Web. 12 Oct. 2012.
<http://kb.rspca.org.au/What-sort-of-environment-should-Siamese-fighting-fish-be-kept-in_440.html>.
RSPCA United
Kingdom. "Decorative Fish Tanks Are Inadequate for Fish." RSPCA United Kingdom. RSPCA UK, 07 Dec.
2011. Web. 12 Oct. 2012. <http://www.rspca.org.uk/media/news/story/-/article/Fashion_fish_tanks>.
