Bettas and Bowls

[GeraldTheMouse]

My mom really wants a betta, and we have a fish bowl (1g - 2g) lying a round. I know that it is inhumane to keep a fish in a bowl. But if I change half of the water per week, would it still work out?

 

[Helena21]

It really depends on the surface area, because they breathe the air they a decent sized surface area. Also, bettas can jump so you will need some sort of lid.
I, personally think a betta can live quite happily in a bowl, others don't agree

 

[GeraldTheMouse]

The bowl has a pretty nice surface area. Are there any do it yourself lids? Or can I just place some cardboard on top and make some decent sized holes?

 

[Helena21]

Cardboard with holes should be fine. You may find that you will need to do more than 1 w/c a week, as the water can go brown and yucky, lol

 

[GeraldTheMouse]

Thanks for the help. :]

 

[Helena21]

Your welcome

 

[big54bob]

Gerald, I had Bruce for two weeks and he is in one of them Betta Kits from Walmart and he don't mind his home.Planning to get him a bigger bowl.
Thanks
Bob

 

[GeraldTheMouse]

I'll get some pics up soon, I need the batteries for my cam to charge.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

An upside down styrofoam plate with holes works for a lid too...

Also, you'll want to keep him in a warmer part of the house while it's cold out.

 

[GeraldTheMouse]

Yeah, its in my living room. Pretty warm in there.

Edit: I'm using a cd case now, enough holes one the sides, but not big enough for the betta to escape.

 

[Helena21]

Cool. We need pics lol

 

[GeraldTheMouse]

Heres your picture, more when I get new decorations/a betta.

 

[Helena21]

WOW! nice bowl! im sure the new betta will love it!

 

[GeraldTheMouse]

At first it had this ugly green gravel, but I had a bucket full of this gravel, so I switched it.

In 15 minutes I'm going to my LFS, and might get a castle or something for it.

 

[Helena21]

Cool, when you getting the betta?

 

[GeraldTheMouse]

Probably next weekend, as I just set it up today, and there is all that chlorine crap in the water.

 

[GeraldTheMouse]

Silly me forgot it was St. Patrick's day. Everything was closed.

 

[Brinny-chan]

Just thought I'd tell you, you should do 100% water changes rather than 50% a week. It's not quite enough on an unfiltered tank because there's nothing to convert the ammonia your betta will make. If it's a 1G bowl, you should change the water totally every 4 days or so. If it's a 2G, change it about once a week. There's not really a point in small water changes for a betta unless their tank is filtered.

And don't worry about shock from all-new water, it doesn't seem to bother them. Just get a little cup, scoop the fish into it, rinse the bowl out with hot water then fill it with room-temperature water (or as close as you can get by feel). Float the cup in the bowl until the temps are equal (doesn't take long with the small amount of water in the cup) and pour him back in.

Hope this helps!

 

[jessey]

the bowl looks good, i can't wait to see your new lil guy. and good think with the cd case.. i'm sure the cardboard or styrofoam would have worked, but the cd case looks much better than those would have!

i'm thinking about putting a betta in a large vase. one that's well over a gallon. is this a good idea?

 

[Brinny-chan]

That should be fine, jessey ^_^ Most people recommend a gallon per betta, but they can live in less with more frequent water changes, like I don't have the room for several 1 gallons so I have two 1/2gallon betta bowls.