pet fish in the wild

[kamez]

who thinks that all pet fish should be released into their natural habitats? on grounds that the natural ecosystems will be more friendly n healthier to them. n more space

[TaylorW]

Bettas have been naturally selected to be the way they are, and so have many other species of fish. You will never see a pet store betta in the wild because it was simply not made to survive there. As soon as you released a brightly colored halfmoon betta into the wild, it would be immediately eaten or be beaten up by all of the wild bettas.

In short, bad idea. That's like releasing a Chihuahua into the forest and hoping it rejoins the wolf pack.

[baylee767]

Originally Posted by TaylorW

In short, bad idea. That's like releasing a Chihuahua into the forest and hoping it rejoins the wolf pack.

Lol great description! Except Chihuahuas are the only breed of dog whose anscesters aren't wolves; They're ancesters are a species of Mexican wild dog

[Jupiter]

What TaylorW said. Also, releasing any fish you have willynilly into the wild is a VERY bad idea. Especially because the lakes here are waay different than the ecosystem most fish in pet stores come from. Furthermore, assuming they do survive, there's also the risk of introducing an invasive species, which could harm the current biodiversity.

[1fish2fish]

Agree with Jupiter.

There is a reason that most wild Betta species are brownish in color.. because brightly colored fish get eaten.

Releasing domestically kept animals into the wild is a death sentence.

[Malvolti]

Technically in the case of most "decorative" fish species the tank is their natural ecosystem. Most have been bred for generations in captivity to look the way they do. I agree with the above posters who say that they would die pretty fast in the wild.

[TaylorW]

Baylee, that's interesting about the Chihuahuas! I never thought about them coming from Mexican wild dogs, but that makes a lot more sense!

I saw a tv show saying they came from fennec foxes, but that really confused me since fennec foxes live in the Sahara, and who would really bother chasing these little guys down through the desert? XD

[bloo97]

Originally Posted by 1fish2fish

Agree with Jupiter.

There is a reason that most wild Betta species are brownish in color.. because brightly colored fish get eaten.

Releasing domestically kept animals into the wild is a death sentence.

I agree, bettas (if they were released) would be picked off by predators because bright colors are easy to spot. But that doesn't mean you can't make your tank like a natural pond from asia. If you add plants, give them space, and some light and they can have their own little betta pond in your tank! :D

[LikeDiscoSuperfly]

Originally Posted by TaylorW

In short, bad idea. That's like releasing a Chihuahua into the forest and hoping it rejoins the wolf pack.

Bwhaha cracked me up! but a very good comparison.