Top 5 Myths That Could Kill Your Betta
Introduction
Introduction
For one of America's most popular fish, the betta is surely also one of the most misunderstood. Like most heavily marketed species, the reality of proper care has been confused by the appeal of myths perpetuated by merchants pandering to an uneducated public looking for a cheap, easy pet. Some of these myths have become so imbedded that they have become folk knowledge - that is, socially transmitted information that has become integrated in a given society's collective knowledge. Unfortunately, not all folk knowledge is accurate - and in the case of bettas, virtually none of it is. Below are a few common betta myths you have probably heard and may even believe, as well as the opposing realities.
The Myths
Myth #1: Wild bettas live in tiny mud puddles.
Reality: Wild bettas are actually found in a wide range of habitats, from rice paddies to swaps to shallow ponds and streams. During the dry season, their body of water may shrink, trapping them in small pockets of water until the rains come. Bettas evolved a labrynth organ, which allows them to breath air from the surface, in response to this environmental stressor, and have even known to dig pockets in the mud to dwell in during drought periods. This is NOT, however, the ideal living conditions of a betta, nor what we should base our husbandry off of. Bettas grow, thrive, and mate under wet season conditions: when water is abundant.
The Danger: Many betta vendors have used this myth to promote enclosures that are inappropriately small for bettas. Small volumes of water are difficult to maintain adequate water quality in, challenging to safely heat, prone to dangerous fluctuations in temperature and water quality, and do not permit an adequately enriching environment for bettas. Most illness and death in captive fish is due to inappropriate or unsafe environmental conditions, and most commercial betta habitats are not appropriate or safe for bettas.
Myth #2: Bettas prefer to live in dirty water.
Reality: When you look at a pond, swamp, or rice paddy, the water may indeed look "dirty" to you. Organic particles, mud, and tannins from plant decay often lead to a dark, murky appearence. However, dirty to a human and dirty to a fish are two very different things. Wild ecosystems are carefully balanced environments loaded with organisms and processes that maintain safe and acceptable living conditions for inhabitants. One thing you don't see much of in wild fish habitats is something you see a lot of in a dirty aquarium: harmful levels of ammonia. In wild habitats, plants and bacteria grow in complimentary balance to the "waste management" needs of the inhabitants. In an uncycled 1/2 gallon betta bowl, there is NO beneficial bacteria to contend with ammonia and other harmful waste products. This means that the murky pond that you wouldn't drink out of as a human is actually MUCH more clean and appropriate than a betta bowl after a week without cleaning.
The Danger: While bettas tend to be hardier than many other tropical fish when it comes to water quality, no fish is immune to the chronic stress and physical damage caused by an unclean environment. Remember, an aquarium is a fish's toilet as well as the air he breathes. When you keep a betta in a dirty bowl, you force him to breath in ammonia and other harmful waste products, which over time can cause sickness and even death.
Reality: When you look at a pond, swamp, or rice paddy, the water may indeed look "dirty" to you. Organic particles, mud, and tannins from plant decay often lead to a dark, murky appearence. However, dirty to a human and dirty to a fish are two very different things. Wild ecosystems are carefully balanced environments loaded with organisms and processes that maintain safe and acceptable living conditions for inhabitants. One thing you don't see much of in wild fish habitats is something you see a lot of in a dirty aquarium: harmful levels of ammonia. In wild habitats, plants and bacteria grow in complimentary balance to the "waste management" needs of the inhabitants. In an uncycled 1/2 gallon betta bowl, there is NO beneficial bacteria to contend with ammonia and other harmful waste products. This means that the murky pond that you wouldn't drink out of as a human is actually MUCH more clean and appropriate than a betta bowl after a week without cleaning.
The Danger: While bettas tend to be hardier than many other tropical fish when it comes to water quality, no fish is immune to the chronic stress and physical damage caused by an unclean environment. Remember, an aquarium is a fish's toilet as well as the air he breathes. When you keep a betta in a dirty bowl, you force him to breath in ammonia and other harmful waste products, which over time can cause sickness and even death.
Myth #3: Bettas will "freak out" or die in larger aquariums.
Reality: Considering that a single rice paddy can span several acres and contain hundreds to thousands of gallons of water, it stands to reason that volume is not the reason some bettas seem to be stressed in larger aquariums. Wild bettas form their territories around dense clusters of plants to provide safety from predators and an ambush point as predators. Exposure does not become them; an exposed fish is a dead fish. When someone places their betta in a large, sparsely planted aquarium, the animal may pace, hide, or cling to one small corner of the aquarium. Add to this the strong current produced by filters in large aquariums without plenty of plants to dither the flow, and you have an environment that is stressful for bettas. This is commonly misinterpreted as the betta's distress being caused by the size of the enclosure rather than its appropriateness; most keepers who put their bettas in large but densely planted aquariums report the opposite: active, inquisitive, healthy fish.
The Danger: Even if a small volume of water is kept clean and warm enough to foster a betta's survival, small aquariums are problematic for another reason: they do not provide enough space to offer adequate behavioral enrichment. "Behavioral enrichment" is a fancy way of referring to offering conditions that cater to an animal's behavioral needs & provide mental stimulation. Bettas are intelligent animals that enjoy exploring a varied environment and new stimuli. They also have a behavioral need for hiding places. Having enough space for hiding places, plants, and novel objects not only reduces stress, but prevents boredom (and thus, stereotypical behaviors such as pacing and self mutilation - both common in bettas).
Myth #4: Bettas are not tropical fish/Bettas do not require a heater.
The Reality: Bettas are tropical fish that evolved in Southeast Asia. They are found in countries like Thailand (particularly to the south) where annual temperature lows are 75 degrees, and highs may be in excess of 100 degrees. The waters they are found in are typically quite warm as well, since shallow bodies of water tend to heat more readily than deeper bodies. Despite the betta's hardiness often allowing them to grimly tolerate temperatures below 75 degrees, their ideal temperature range is 76-82 degrees - meaning that in the average household with a "room temperature" of 68-72 degrees, bettas should be provided with a heater like all tropical fish.
The Danger: Even endothermic animals like mammals can fall ill if consistently kept too hot or cold; maintaining appropriate internal temperature under such conditions puts a strain on the body. It is infinitely worse for ectothermic animals like fish, however; their body temperature is directly effected by the environment, and consequently, temperatures that are too hot or too cold can cause a host of serious health problems. When a betta is kept in cold water, its body is put under constant stress. Its immune system can't function properly, resulting in susceptibility to disease. Its digestive system can't operate effectively, causing malabsorption of nutrients and constipation. Its metabolism is slowed, resulting in reduced physical activity that is bad for circulation and heart health. In short, keeping a betta too cold is offering it a poor quality of life and a slow death.
Myth #5: Bettas need to/will eat plant roots to survive.
Reality: This claim originated with the (thankfully waning) fad of bettas being kept in vases with lily plants. These products were falsely marketed as a self-sustaining ecosystem: the betta ate the roots, the plant "cleaned" the water, and - tada! - a virtually maintenence free pet. Unfortunately, this was far from the truth. Bettas are insectivores by nature and need a high protein, meat-based diet to survive. While they will pick at plant roots in starving desperation, they can not survive long term on plant matter.
The Danger: Even outside of the vase, this bizzare myth has persisted. Many individuals still believe their bettas need plant roots to survive, planting betta bulbs or lucky "bamboo" for their fish to feast on. While having a planted aquarium provides an enriched environment and can help manage waste, using plants as the sole food source for a betta will result in death by malnutrition or starvation outright - just like you can't feed your cat a diet of lettuce and expect it to survive.
ConclusionSadly, these myths represent but a tiny handful of the misconceptions surrounding betta care; much like goldfish before them, the scope of the betta's popularity is matched only by the public's ignorance of the fish. Unfortunately, deciphering good information from bad can be tricky; pet store employees, websites, and even books often report false information about bettas. As a prospective betta owner, you are tasked with finding the best information - and perhaps applying a bit of criticial thinking - to ensure that you have a healthy, long lived, properly cared for pet. Hopefully this blog entry has given you a good starting point; we would also like to direct you to a longer list of myths and realities that can be found here.
UB.com Members Chime In:When asked what common betta myths they heard as novice betta keepers, our members told us the following:
"When I tell people that I keep bettas they often respond by telling me that bettas are boring lazy fish that always look dead. This is a very common misconception. While bettas often rest and may not be as active as minnows often seen in larger tanks, they're anything but boring and dead looking. Many bettas can become lethargic due to the improper environments imposed on them by their owners, such as: Inadequate space--how can one expect your fish to be active and healthy when it can barely turn around? Inadequate heat--how can one expect a cold-blooded animal to remain healthy and functional in -10 degrees of its required temperature? Inadequate feeding and sanitation--feeding too much and not cleaning the tank often enough can certainly cause lethargy and can lead to death. In the proper conditions, however, owners can enjoy all of the wide array of playful antics and adorable behaviors that made all of us betta enthusiasts fall in love." ~ Posted by Etcetera
"Way back when I got my first bettas, before getting good information was as easy as sitting down in front of your computer and looking for it (shut up, I'm not old!), I was instructed to keep my male bettas in containers as small as possible to avoid "stressing them out". I was also told by the pet store employees that water temperature wasn't important, that the bettas would thrive at any temperature that's comfortable to humans." ~ Posted by Tess
"Lifespan. I have had so many people say they are doing amazingly because their betta lived 6 months because their natural lifespan is only a year. Their jaws tend to drop when I tell them of my 4-5 yr old fish." ~ Posted by Maryanne
"Oh yes: Never to change their water. I keep getting told that water changes are bad for them and you should only ever do one if something gets into the bowl, otherwise, never change their water." ~ Posted by Twirly
Reality: Considering that a single rice paddy can span several acres and contain hundreds to thousands of gallons of water, it stands to reason that volume is not the reason some bettas seem to be stressed in larger aquariums. Wild bettas form their territories around dense clusters of plants to provide safety from predators and an ambush point as predators. Exposure does not become them; an exposed fish is a dead fish. When someone places their betta in a large, sparsely planted aquarium, the animal may pace, hide, or cling to one small corner of the aquarium. Add to this the strong current produced by filters in large aquariums without plenty of plants to dither the flow, and you have an environment that is stressful for bettas. This is commonly misinterpreted as the betta's distress being caused by the size of the enclosure rather than its appropriateness; most keepers who put their bettas in large but densely planted aquariums report the opposite: active, inquisitive, healthy fish.
The Danger: Even if a small volume of water is kept clean and warm enough to foster a betta's survival, small aquariums are problematic for another reason: they do not provide enough space to offer adequate behavioral enrichment. "Behavioral enrichment" is a fancy way of referring to offering conditions that cater to an animal's behavioral needs & provide mental stimulation. Bettas are intelligent animals that enjoy exploring a varied environment and new stimuli. They also have a behavioral need for hiding places. Having enough space for hiding places, plants, and novel objects not only reduces stress, but prevents boredom (and thus, stereotypical behaviors such as pacing and self mutilation - both common in bettas).
Myth #4: Bettas are not tropical fish/Bettas do not require a heater.
The Reality: Bettas are tropical fish that evolved in Southeast Asia. They are found in countries like Thailand (particularly to the south) where annual temperature lows are 75 degrees, and highs may be in excess of 100 degrees. The waters they are found in are typically quite warm as well, since shallow bodies of water tend to heat more readily than deeper bodies. Despite the betta's hardiness often allowing them to grimly tolerate temperatures below 75 degrees, their ideal temperature range is 76-82 degrees - meaning that in the average household with a "room temperature" of 68-72 degrees, bettas should be provided with a heater like all tropical fish.
The Danger: Even endothermic animals like mammals can fall ill if consistently kept too hot or cold; maintaining appropriate internal temperature under such conditions puts a strain on the body. It is infinitely worse for ectothermic animals like fish, however; their body temperature is directly effected by the environment, and consequently, temperatures that are too hot or too cold can cause a host of serious health problems. When a betta is kept in cold water, its body is put under constant stress. Its immune system can't function properly, resulting in susceptibility to disease. Its digestive system can't operate effectively, causing malabsorption of nutrients and constipation. Its metabolism is slowed, resulting in reduced physical activity that is bad for circulation and heart health. In short, keeping a betta too cold is offering it a poor quality of life and a slow death.
Myth #5: Bettas need to/will eat plant roots to survive.
Reality: This claim originated with the (thankfully waning) fad of bettas being kept in vases with lily plants. These products were falsely marketed as a self-sustaining ecosystem: the betta ate the roots, the plant "cleaned" the water, and - tada! - a virtually maintenence free pet. Unfortunately, this was far from the truth. Bettas are insectivores by nature and need a high protein, meat-based diet to survive. While they will pick at plant roots in starving desperation, they can not survive long term on plant matter.
The Danger: Even outside of the vase, this bizzare myth has persisted. Many individuals still believe their bettas need plant roots to survive, planting betta bulbs or lucky "bamboo" for their fish to feast on. While having a planted aquarium provides an enriched environment and can help manage waste, using plants as the sole food source for a betta will result in death by malnutrition or starvation outright - just like you can't feed your cat a diet of lettuce and expect it to survive.
ConclusionSadly, these myths represent but a tiny handful of the misconceptions surrounding betta care; much like goldfish before them, the scope of the betta's popularity is matched only by the public's ignorance of the fish. Unfortunately, deciphering good information from bad can be tricky; pet store employees, websites, and even books often report false information about bettas. As a prospective betta owner, you are tasked with finding the best information - and perhaps applying a bit of criticial thinking - to ensure that you have a healthy, long lived, properly cared for pet. Hopefully this blog entry has given you a good starting point; we would also like to direct you to a longer list of myths and realities that can be found here.
This image is from the UltimateBettas.com Advocacy section. Want to become an advocate? Read more.
Can't wait until next week to learn more important information on how to care for your betta?
Join Ultimate Bettas today for a wealth of care information and advice from compassionate, experienced aquarists!
UB.com Members Chime In:When asked what common betta myths they heard as novice betta keepers, our members told us the following:
"When I tell people that I keep bettas they often respond by telling me that bettas are boring lazy fish that always look dead. This is a very common misconception. While bettas often rest and may not be as active as minnows often seen in larger tanks, they're anything but boring and dead looking. Many bettas can become lethargic due to the improper environments imposed on them by their owners, such as: Inadequate space--how can one expect your fish to be active and healthy when it can barely turn around? Inadequate heat--how can one expect a cold-blooded animal to remain healthy and functional in -10 degrees of its required temperature? Inadequate feeding and sanitation--feeding too much and not cleaning the tank often enough can certainly cause lethargy and can lead to death. In the proper conditions, however, owners can enjoy all of the wide array of playful antics and adorable behaviors that made all of us betta enthusiasts fall in love." ~ Posted by Etcetera
"Way back when I got my first bettas, before getting good information was as easy as sitting down in front of your computer and looking for it (shut up, I'm not old!), I was instructed to keep my male bettas in containers as small as possible to avoid "stressing them out". I was also told by the pet store employees that water temperature wasn't important, that the bettas would thrive at any temperature that's comfortable to humans." ~ Posted by Tess
"Lifespan. I have had so many people say they are doing amazingly because their betta lived 6 months because their natural lifespan is only a year. Their jaws tend to drop when I tell them of my 4-5 yr old fish." ~ Posted by Maryanne
"Oh yes: Never to change their water. I keep getting told that water changes are bad for them and you should only ever do one if something gets into the bowl, otherwise, never change their water." ~ Posted by Twirly
