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Debate about the Correct tank size for a Single Betta.

9K views 62 replies 30 participants last post by  trilobite 
#1 · (Edited)
I see that there Is a very big debate about the correct tank size for a single Betta. Some say that anything under 5 gallons is cruel. While others say 1 gallon is just fine. Some say that a bigger tank is easier to take care of while others feel that smaller is much less work.
You can say a many number of things about what you think the correct size tank is. This is your Opinion. I can say a many number of things to disagree with you. That is my Opinion. Everyone in the world has their Opinion on the matter. But none of us can truly tell who has the correct Opinion. Even scientist who have done experiments on the correct tank size have their Opinions.
Not just on this website but on many others I have noticed people being judged on their Opinions of the correct tank size. This is their Opinion, and I believe that we should not judge them and their Opinions.

Notice how I did not use the words Wrong or Right in the above text. This is because none of us can truly tell who is wrong or right. As the world is full of Opinions and everyone is entitled to their own.

My Opinion is that 2.5 Gallons is the correct size for a single Betta. I may be wrong, and nothing is stoping you from telling me your Opinion. But just because you may think I'm wrong, does not mean you have to start nagging me about the matter.
I am not suggesting that it is ok to cram a Betta into I tiny bowl and we should keep trying to turn people away from doing this. I am simply stating this fact.

The world is full of Opinions. Right or Wrong we may never know. Just because you think 5 gallon tank is the minimum tank size. Doesn't mean you can go out and yell at someone for keeping their Betta in a 2.5 gallon tank.


I am sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings. I just had to get this off my chest. I have had to many people on other websites nag at me.
 
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#33 ·
I totally agree. My one friend, her betta died because a plant was put in a small area and he got stuck, and suffocated D: which then... She fathers a bigger space for a betta, so she can make it look nice and keep him alive. This doesn't always happen... But it can >< then again my weirdo female Tina likes the curly shell to hide IN o_O
 
#34 ·
I can see the argument on smaller tanks, holy It's hard putting around that much water on water change day LOL I have it down to a science though. I have four 1.5g, a 1g, 1g QT, 0.8g QT and a 2.65g. But it gives me something to do. With three larger cycled tanks, I have so many different water changes its confusing. In the past I had one betta girl in a 1g and one male betta in a 29g community with Silver Dollars. As long as they are healthy and have room for plant and somewhere to hide, I'm cool. Sorry that other forum ripped you a new one they have no business ripping. Your tank could be better taken care of than their fancy big tanks!
 
#35 ·
Agreed with pitluvs. Someone can have some fancy 20 gallon with adjustable heater and filter, and all planted tank... But they could maybe be lazy and not clean it when they should. You on the other hand probably do darn good with your smaller one :)

But yeah I don't have time for 9 bowls xD
 
#36 ·
Thanks everyone! I just checked the forum again. Someone said I have a case of "Pet Care Denial". They said I was scammed into buying my "little tiny tank kit" and that even though the little tanks look cute "No fish alive could survive in a tank that small". They recommended that I take my Betta back to the store and not buy a new one until I buy the proper 10 gallon tank that a Betta needs.
 
#37 ·
Tell them to stop picking their noses and get their finger out of their bumb. Because they are sounding ridiculous.

Is this perhaps the yahoo answers? I answered someone who asked what fishie they could have with a betta in a 2.5. I did tell them they needed minimum 5 gallons if they wanted another fishie, but their tank is just fine lol. I'm nicer in my approach, the others.. I don't do the "you're so stupid" I do the "sorry, but... (backed with reason)"
 
#43 · (Edited)
You know, the reason I am a "top contributor" there is because I won't diss your tank :p you got what you got and you have reasons. Even when I asked "my female has ich what do I do" I got real answers on here, and on there "without real meds she'll die, salt doesn't do a thing" which I had done research too... I was surprised no one bashed me on having balloon mollies with bettas (mine came from freshwater tanks and never had a problem).

But yeah, you can have (IMO) a one gallon as long as you clean it :p I'll be using many jars/containers anyways *hopefully* when this spawn works.

Yahoo answers may have "fast" and numerous replies almost immediately but it's people who probably don't own bettas, or who make it rocket science, or who are "dontactuallyknowitalls", or "trolls" getting points for answering. Here, at least people know their bettas
 
#44 ·
I would never go to Yahoo answers for info. This is the only forum for me. lol I guess I feel strongly about the tank size thing because I was criticized by a moderator on another forum for keeping my fish in gallon containers. Like I said before, I try to recommend 2 gallons or larger to new people but if they absolutely can't get anything larger than a gallon then they've got to work with what they have until they can get something bigger.
 
#45 ·
There is peoples opinions, which on this topic can be debated forever really, and then there is when people are acutally just wrong. 0.18 gallons for instance per fish in the "PETCO Dual Betta Bowl" has got to be viewed as wrong :/ Not just 'its his/her opinion'. It's barely more water then the water bottle on my desk.

For me the debate starts at the gallon up mark - because while I don't think a gallon is enough room personally I also recognize with proper care people do take good care of their one gallons and do indeed love their fish. c:
 
#46 ·
There is peoples opinions, which on this topic can be debated forever really, and then there is when people are acutally just wrong. 0.18 gallons for instance per fish in the "PETCO Dual Betta Bowl" has got to be viewed as wrong :/ Not just 'its his/her opinion'. It's barely more water then the water bottle on my desk.

For me the debate starts at the gallon up mark - because while I don't think a gallon is enough room personally I also recognize with proper care people do take good care of their one gallons and do indeed love their fish. c:
Yeah I think there were the 1/2 gallon "betta tanks" which have an air pump much too strong for the betta in that small of a space D: I got one, but soon after got the goldfish bowl, then eventually found the 1.5 gallon tank xD I personally don't like how bowls (IMO) distort the vision of what you see in it... I like seeing them as they are :)
 
#47 ·
I personally think there are two different questions.

Question one is; Can the water in X container be kept clean enough? Can someone keep a 1/2 gallon clean enough? Can you keep a QT cup clean enough? I bet you can. It takes dedication, but you can keep water clean enough.

Question two is; Is it big enough for the fish to express natural activities? I see a lot of smaller tanks and for me the answer is generally no. 1 gallons are usually built tall for a small footprint... the fish can't swim it's length twice over the long way, and only has space to comfortable turn around width wise. To me, this isn't an appropriate tank. For me, when I look at tank side... I think a fish needs a space where it can swim horizontally at least 3-4 times it's own body length... and at least two on the short side. Nearly every small tank I see fails to accomplish this.

Anyway, I had another more ranty thread up, but it got locked so, that's all I'm gonna say here on the matter. Clean water =/= living space imo. You could keep 1 dry measuring cup worth of water clean enough for a fish but it wouldn't be an appropriate home.
 
#48 ·
You also have to remember that this is a man-made fish with abnormal long heavy fins-its not fair to compare its needs to its wild cousins or short fin Bettas.....sometimes the smaller tanks are more suited for the long heavy fin male Bettas for that reason alone-to start out in and slowly move them to larger spaces and water movement to their tolerance......with some...not all.....they have never been in a container much larger than the temporary cups you see them in and they feel secure in this space and have not built muscle mass to swim properly-too large of a space too soon-this tires them-stresses them and in turn can compromise immune response-not to mention the delicate fins that soon look tattered due to swimming or fighting water movement....Don't miss understand...not saying they can only be kept in small unfiltered containers.....but that some-not all.....need to be moved to larger spaces and water movement in steps to their tolerance......
 
#52 ·
^this +1 ..

also to add to this .. from the moment you move them from their cup to something bigger .. if your monitoring your betta .. you can immediately tell what type of environment they will thrive in ..

bettas that want bigger areas will start swimming around and immediately start poking at their new boundaries .. trying to see how far they can go .. how fast they can swim .. and sometimes even bump into the tank walls cus it's too small for them .. it kinda looks like they are trying to "get out" of their space .. and want more .. this is clear behavior that should let you know they want a bigger space ..

i can't speak for bettas that likes lesser space .. (i know sick bettas and rescues need smaller spaces and lower water levels those are special cases cus they are sick) .. and since i haven't bought a betta that didn't appreciate the extra room .. i've never kept any of my bettas in less them 5g .. but i did have to condition them to be used to their extra space ..

they went from cup to .5 (2 weeks) .. then 1g (2 weeks).. then 2.5 (3 weeks) .. then to 5g .. and i know this helped out to develop their muscles over time so when i put them in their 5g environments they didn't spazz out and tear up their fins to swim faster (as what happened to my bf's betta when he moved him from cup .. to 2.5 -6 weeks- to a 10g ..) or become lethargic or scared for their extra room .. and they also no longer kept poking at the edge of their small environments "trying to get out"
 
#51 ·
I saw Yahoo com up. I hate yahoo. Apparently if you don't keep one Betta in at least 5 gallons of water you are a horrible animal abuser who knows nothing and should be punished and ridiculed and blah blah blah.

They also tole me ONE Common Goldfish needs 2,000 gallons EACH. Bull! Absolute bull! 40 gallons is fine.

They are so dumb. Overaggressive. They think that no Betta has even a chance at making it past a week in a 2.5 . GRRR!
 
#54 ·
Well I think this thread had value for sure - as someone who knows so little about Betta fish, I have found it fascinating! I never would have considered that each fish is an individual and might have preferences! I guess my Fish Perry is a bit of a "wild child" like me-LOL! He explores every inch of his 5 g, and he does indeed poke at the barriers. Hmmm, I guess it's time for that 10 g. HAHA, back to Petco!
 
#55 ·
He explores every inch of his 5 g, and he does indeed poke at the barriers. Hmmm, I guess it's time for that 10 g. HAHA, back to Petco!
aww!! he sounds adorable!! mine stopped poking at the corners and walls after i put them in 5g .. if your going to upgrade to a 10g .. do it when petco has there $1/gallon tank sale and snag a 10g for $10 ^_^ ..

and when u do have it ready .. start it out at 5g's (you can cycle 5g).. and then add like a gallon every 10 days (to not kill ur cycle) till it's at 10g .. and he'll defiantly grow strong fins
 
#57 · (Edited)
i would cycle before putting him in .. you can do the cycle with putting 5g in the 10g tank first .. and after it's cycled .. you can put him in .. then condition him to the extra space by adding roughly 1g every 10 days (or half gal every 5 days ish) .. so that the good bacteria can continue to grow (test your water and monitor closely to make sure the cycle didn't break and u don't get any spikes) and he will get used to the extra space gradually

also, if you do not want to do a chemical cycle, raw shrimp cycle, in fish (feeder fish) cycle, or decomposing food cycle .. i'm currently using a new way to cycle my 10g .. it might sound gross .. but .. basically since you already have your betta in another tank .. you just use a turkey baster and suck out his poopie .. and put it in ur new tank .. this should generate ammonia as though u had ur fish in there .. might be a slower process to get ammonia .. but it will work

you don't need to feed him more in a bigger tank .. you can keep the same food schedule you have him on now .. bettas will always beg for food (when healthy) .. but you can't give in to over-feeding him cus he gives u puppy eyes look .. i know it's really hard .. i have 4 bettas that give me that look twice every day .. and i always hesitate and think .. it's just one more .. but i don't' give in cus i know it's better for them .. even when they look so sad and act like they are starving ..

i promise you he's not starving or hungry .. many betta owners fast their bettas 1-2 days a week so they can clear out their system to prevent bloating/constipation/sbd .. also some bettas have been known to survive without food for 2 weeks (under emergency situations) .. ^_^ .. so don't worrie .. as long as your feeding him on your set schedule .. he'll be fine
 
#58 ·
I've seen someone keep his Bettas in a Beanie Baby holder. Its basically a clear plastic cube. I know its under a gallon but he has great success with that setup. But, he is constantly changing water. I don't like the set up but alot of time goes into the care of his fish.
 
#59 ·
I'm assuming we are going by size alone, since we can all agree the size of a tank does not equal quality care?

If that is the case, I would say 1 gallon is the absolute minimum. This size I will accept as fine, if for whatever reason the owner does not want to upgrade to bigger. Anything smaller and I personally feel the Betta would be unable to preform natural behaviors. It would also be too difficult for the average person to keep good water quality.

What I recommend, and what I have found to be most widely accepted, is it's better if a Betta has 2.5 gallons or larger.
 
#61 ·
also .. heating is probably one of the biggest issues when debating about tank size .. i mean ... how does one heat anything less then 1g properly and keep consistent temperatures thats not too hot or too cold?

unless you live somewhere that it's warm in winter time and it's still 80 degs in ur house at night during winter .. you have to have a heater or.. or you have to have an external way to heat those small tanks .. it'll be difficult i think for smaller tank owners as winter sets in and temps drop .. a lot more difficult then having a larger tank where you can just put a heater in the tank and not worrie how cold or hot it is in the house ..

it still comes down to what the individual owner does to care for the issues that arise on the tank set up that they have
 
#62 · (Edited)
I keep mine in at least 5.5g nowadays simply because I prefer to heat and cycle the tank. However I had great success in the pat with two 2.5 gallon tanks on my desk at work. I went in on weekends to clean their tanks or cleaned during slow times at work.

My house gets too cold in winter to keep unheated tanks as we don't run the heater so warm. I was tired of 100% water changes, and my bettas went into shock and died.

So now, I fishless cycle the tank, then heat it and change only about 20% of the water weekly or a little less often. I treat with water conditioners, age, and heat the replacement water to match the tank's.

I also like 5g because I can use a 25W heater with a thermostat instead of the little heaters that just raise the temperature a few degrees. In out cold house, that wouldn't work.

5g or more are just easier on me and my fish to handle because I cycle the tanks, don't have to remove the fish, clean out the tank, try to get the water back just 'so' and then return the betta to his tank.

Bottom line, I believe that at least 5g is best and healthiest, but if a keeper can keep them healthy in 2.5g (they have at least a little room to swim around in this size) that's fine with me. I did, so I know it can work even if I don't enjoy that method anymore.
 
#63 ·
Mine are kept in a barracks system. The sump is heated and cycled, and water from there gets pumped into the containers while older water goes out and back into the sump. The jars are small (2 liters) they are used for jarring my young males.
Every day I will pour clean water into the sump(because evaporation of the water will explode my heater and also becase its like a water change) which pumps it in to the tanks and every few days I will give them a decent water change, usualy 50-80%.
 
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