why are they popular?

[julez13]

so explain to me why bettas are a good fish and why they are so unique? i'm new to the betta world.

[registereduser]

They are

1. beautiful
2. full of personality
3. huge variety and colors
4. don't require a large tank
5. fun to watch
6. interactive
7. relatively easy to keep
8. addictive, so beware

[LadyVictorian]

Betta are smart, beautiful, love the company of their humans, and compared to some schooling type fish can be kept alone and are often times easier than some other fish species to care for. They also can survive in higher ph which some fish can't tolerate and do not need oxygenated water since they breath at the surface. But more than anything they are just all around beautiful fish with distinct personalities.

[sainthogan]

I would take 1 betta over a tank full of fish any day. Mine is so personable and gets very excited every time I approach the tank. She even opens and closes her mouth repeatedly every time I talk to her. I'd like to see other fish do that :D
But when we say smaller tanks, we don't mean 1/2 gallon tanks, those are not acceptable for any fish. The general rule for all fish is a minimum of 1 gallon per inch of fish.