my new betta.

[Chad Vossen]

this is a halfmoon betta i bought from petco few days ago.

this picture shows its colors a bit better
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g291/armagedon48/104_8075.jpg

another picture showing the fins
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g291/armagedon48/104_8070.jpg

[wes]

I didn't know petco sold anything other than "fancy" bettas. hm. pretty fish!

[hypoxia]

Why is it in a bowl?

[stsonpers]

Bettas prefer a smaller swimming area

[hypoxia]

Not necessarily, no. They're *territorial* over a small area (hence you can actually keep two in a 55-gallon tank with plenty of hiding places). They do just fine in larger tanks as well as smaller; however, bowls provide stagnation.

The stagnant water is unhealthy for them to be in for extended periods of time; the labyrinth gills were meant as a backup, not the primary source for oxygen. Using these gills extensively, such as when living in a small stagnant bowl, greatly shortens the beta's life. No water movement is less oxygen absorption into the water. It requires greater energy to use the labyrinth gills over the regular gills.

I did a study on them in college; they're really fascinating creatures and fun to keep as pets. They have more personality than most freshwater fish. :)

I agree, this is a very pretty specimen you have. What's his name?

[stsonpers]

I didnt know about the stagnant water, was just going off the area's where the fish are found, that area being a space amount of water and not the cleanest water at that.

Thanx for the info though, learn something every day!

[storrisch]

I am not 100% sure I agree about the bowl theory. Check w/ the people over at minnfish.com there are a lot of IBC members over there.

FYI here is the IBC site
http://www.ibcbettas.org/

[twincitiesreefer]

i dont know my nephew had a betta in a bowl and the thing was misserable,laying on the bottem and stuff,I took a empty ten gallon i had and set it up for it with a mj400 and a 12 inch air stone and the thing is loveing life,swimming all around

[thao0149]

Great looking betta... I used to breed them in highschool.

[Chad Vossen]

Not necessarily, no. They're *territorial* over a small area (hence you can actually keep two in a 55-gallon tank with plenty of hiding places). They do just fine in larger tanks as well as smaller; however, bowls provide stagnation.

The stagnant water is unhealthy for them to be in for extended periods of time; the labyrinth gills were meant as a backup, not the primary source for oxygen. Using these gills extensively, such as when living in a small stagnant bowl, greatly shortens the beta's life. No water movement is less oxygen absorption into the water. It requires greater energy to use the labyrinth gills over the regular gills.

I did a study on them in college; they're really fascinating creatures and fun to keep as pets. They have more personality than most freshwater fish. :)

I agree, this is a very pretty specimen you have. What's his name?

bettas can still live long in a small space of water, if water quality is good. i don't know if i totally agree with the labyrinth gills being backup, a betta in an aquarium will still gulp air (as will a gourami). i also believe its acceptable to keep bettas in small spaces as i think they are kept this way in grow out; though i do find it true a betta greatly enjoys swimming space.

this betta has no name. i havnt named any of my pets in 10 years. this betta is to be known as the "halfmoon betta", its what was on his cup at the store ;)
i do believe what you have said, what i say above is strictly my observations. i have a friend who has a massive "fancy betta" which she claimed is 3 years old, and it lives in a .5gallon bowl. water changes 1-2x per week and no overfeeding does a very good job keeping them healthy.

[hypoxia]

I had a betta who lived just over five years. His name was Yoda. I name them all Yoda. I don't know why. *heh*

Being attentive to a betta's needs is a near-guarantee for its longevity. They're wonderful little critters and all too often I meet people who think it's okay to just keep them in a tiny bowl and never change the water. Then they wonder why they die in a week.

I hereby name your betta Yoda.

[Chad Vossen]

5 years is certainly longer than i have heard or read, must have been a very happy betta! thx for naming him, i do like Yoda.