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Betta Myths

6K views 48 replies 16 participants last post by  Fishingforcats 
#1 ·
Hey, guys, it's been a while since I posted a thread. I am doing a video on Betta Myths that will be coming out Next Friday (March 3rd). Currently, I have down some initial facts and will be addressing tank size and clean water. What other betta myths should I address?
 
#2 ·
A couple of things, please! (*cough* more than a couple... *cough*)

- Bettas are NOT coldwater fish. They need heaters!

- Bettas do NOT prefer tightly confined spaces and will NOT "freak out" or die in larger containers.

- Bettas kept in vases will NOT survive by eating the plant's roots; feeding and cleaning IS needed since this is NOT a self-sustaining environment.

- Bettas do NOT bubblenest if they are happy.

- Bettas are NOT completely unsuitable community fish!

- A male and female betta can NOT be housed together as mates in the same tank.

(got ideas from Betta Care 101 - Myth vs. Reality Page 1)
 
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#3 ·
Thanks! I will have to add those.
 
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#4 ·
They can live on plant roots.
Just feed them anything. They only live about 6 months anyway.
The PETA web page says that bettas are known by their bright colors and their long, flowing fins... and like all fish, they are happiest in the wild, where they belong.
Just put them in the 10-G with the goldfish.
They'll die in anything larger than a half-gallon.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Bettas live in puddles

Bettas live for 6 months

Bettas can't have filters

Bettas don't need heaters (although if you live in florida they might not XD)
 
#12 ·
Here's one I just heard, the betta splendens are wild caught. (The people in my lfs, I swear)
Oh my gosh. That sounds dreamy!


Can you please ask them exactly where I can see them in wild? I would LOVE to see a pond or river or wherever they say rainbow colors of fish are swimming around. Since they live in shallow water, I don't even need to dive. Ah, it would be betta lovers' dream vacation destination. **wink wink**
 
#13 ·
Here are the ten myths I will be talking about:
1. Bettas come from dirty mud puddles, therefore the need no filtration
2. Because they live in puddles, they cannot live in tanks larger than 5 gallons
3. Bettas eat plant roots
4. Males cannot be kept with other males
5. Bettas are not community fish
6. Bettas don’t need a heater
7. If a betta builds a bubble nest, it must be happy
8. Wild bettas are colorful with long fins
9. Bettas are not very active
10. Bettas should only be fed once or twice a week
 
#17 ·
Males *can't* be kept with other males. Did you mean males *can* be kept with other males?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but Wild Betta are colorful and, I believe, do have long fins. Not exaggerated as are Betta splendens, though. Maybe it should be "Betta splendens are wild-caught"?

Here's another:

Betta can't be kept with Fancy Guppies or other fish with long, flowing fins because they see them as another male Betta.
 
#15 ·
Does anyone having pictures you have taken of wild bettas that I could use? I am trying to stay copyright free.
 
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#19 ·
No, that's what I meant. It is my one fully true myth. That is a good idea to change the wild-caught, though. I do want to keep with just 10, but that one is very good too.
 
#21 ·
Ten Myths:
<<quote>> 4. Males cannot be kept with other males <<quote>>

This is stating that male Betta can be kept together and it's a myth they can't. As most people have no idea there's a difference between the Wilds and Betta splendens they will take it to mean they can keep male B. splendens together. I've seen how that turned out.

Just my opinion, but I think you would be better served to stick to myths about Betta splendens since they are the ones a vast majority of people own and make a second list for Wilds.

Sorry, my Editor's Hat making it's appearance. :dunno: Among other careers, I'm a retired newspaper and magazine editor so I tend to see all sides of a statement.
 
#22 ·
This is what I have written for it: "Males cannot be kept with other males: This is our first true statement. Bettas were first taken from the wild sometime in the 18th century and were used in fighting. In the mid-19th century betta fighting was very popular and even endorsed by the King of Thailand. Today, betta fights are not as popular and bettas are bred for color and tail type rather than their fighting abilities. But, because they were originally bred for fighting, bettas in the aquarium are typically more aggressive than in the wild and cannot be kept together."

I also change the wild Betta to "Pet Store Bettas are wild caught".
 
#27 ·
I'm not sure if this would be any help but I've heard that certain tail types of bettas are more aggressive than bettas of another tail type. I'm not sure if its true or not though.
 
#28 ·
I wouldn't say more aggressive.. some tail types make it easier to be aggressive though. I'd much rather put a long finned male in a community tank than a plakat because two thing can happen with a long finned male that won't happen with a plakat
1. Longer fins tire him out easily
2. Longer fins make it harder to chase someone (long fins have a lot a drag to them)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#30 ·
I've never heard that one. I've heard different tail types are more susceptible to different diseases.
Also, the video is one and up for upload. It is coming out tomorrow.
 
#32 ·
I figured, since tail type shouldn't affect that.
 
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