I went to Petsmart today to look for another betta. While I was looking at the bettas, these 2 middle aged women came up and one of them was going to buy one.She said she had 6 or 7 at home. I asked her what size containers she had them in. She told me she had all hers in those divided triangular shaped things Petsmart has. I told her I had 2 of mine in those but they weren't divided.I told her they were fine as long as the water quality was kept up with. They didn't say anything but probably thought I was crazy. Then I asked her if she had any females and she said in a disgusted tone "oh, I tried breeding and the female gave my male diseases!.I'll never have another female!!". Then they left. Then a younger girl came up and was looking and I asked her if she ever had bettas before and she said no but her sister did. She wanted to get one and was going to put it in a vase with some bamboo. I'd guess the vase was about 1/2 to 1 gallon. She asked me if the fish would be ok in the cup until Saturday when she got him his permanent home. I said yes, if the water was changed at least every other day. I mentioned belonging to a forum to both people and they just looked at me funny. The younger girl did know that 2 bettas can't live together, whether male or female.Those other 2 didn't seem like they knew much.
I just hate customers who don't do research before hand (though I was one of them a long time ago). It was awesome of you to (try to) inform them about bettas! I also told people about bettafish.com and they started laughing -_____-" I'm going to petsmart/petco today to get another filter (and check out the bettas) and hopefully be able to inform people who are interested in buying one!
The guy who stocks the fish at walmart hates me because I tell the customers not to buy their "Betta Bowls" or to keep them clean (BTW the customers would rather take advice from a breeder than an idiot walmart employee). The reason the female gave the male a disease is because she had them in divided tanks with dirty water (duh!).
I bet that woman doesn't take care of her fish. They kind of looked at me like I didn't know what I was talking about. The younger girl seemed to be more open to info.
Naturally the younger girl was more open. Most middle aged women (no offense to anyone who is middle aged on here) think they know things and don't want to be told how to do it. I deal with it all the time at my job.
I bet she doesn't take care of her betta very well. I think its sad that people are like that. If you can't take proper care of the fish, then don't buy one in the first place!
And whenever I mention belonging to a furum, they give me a funny look and they say nothing. I wish they'd say, oh, really? Give me the web address and I'll check it out!
Exactly! But then if something happens to their bettas they get upset or mad that it died or got sick. I wish people would research before they buy their fish!
I wish they would too! I have Merlot and Blue Bonnet in those triangular one gallon tanks but they aren't divided. Blue Bonnet is small so she's ok in it but at least I change their water regularly! I just don't understand why they think bettas need very little water to survive! And if you say anything to these people they say "oh, I've kept mine in half gallons or less for years and they've been fine. I never have a problem with mine! "
I realize the importance of keeping a good home for ur betta..conditioning/changing water etc.
but i wanna kno how the heck my bfs mom had a betta for 3 years and did NOTHING but clean its water and feed it. she had in it in a vase with a plant and the only reason it died is because the vase broke and she wasnt able to get it in time. My mom also had a betta for a while and all i would ever see her do is clean out the vase n put new water for her. dont really remember how she passed. everybody always makes fun of me saying i go above and beyond for my bettas
Ok, I'm old compared to most of you folks... but, I don't think you should lump us all together under any sort of stereotype... there's some willing to learn and others are idiots - but that comes with every generation.
I also have to admit that I bought my bettas because I felt bad for them, and didn't have the right set-up for keeping them happy. I was ill-informed that they'd get along in small quarters, but I've been learning from here, and lots of trial and error.
I now feel really guilty using my 2 gallon tanks, they're a last resort for mis-behaviors or sickness. Now that I've seen the sheer bliss that my girls have in the 20 gal. I can't deny them this freedom.
Sure any small fish can 'survive' in a clean one gal (or less?) - but it doesn't mean happy living.
Sure, a one gallon bowl is better than that miserable excuse of a cup that the poor darlings are sold in - but who among us would like to resort to being able to walk 4 steps in any direction to touch a wall - that's what a one gallon tank is to a betta.
It's easy to watch a fish and count the number of tail strokes it takes for it to circumnavigate its tank. Is it happy going around in mini-circles?
Since I'm an old person - UGH (hate saying that) - I'll relate a tidbit of memory from my childhood. When my dad would get stressed out or worried, I'd hear him pace around the kitchen table, round and round and round.... and when I think of tiny fish bowls - I'm reminded of the image of my dad doing that. But at least he had other rooms to pace in, and could leave the house ...
I didn't mean to stereotype and put anyone in categories. I know that not all middle-aged or older folks aren't willing to learn or research. But from my experience....I've seen most don't want to be told how to do things and think they know what they are doing... and don't want to admit they are wrong. I really didn't mean to offend anyone with what I said (I hope I didn't). But I do know there are middle-aged or older folks who are willing to research or admit when they are wrong.
I thought I was one of the older ones at 48! Well, we all learn from our mistakes, (hopefully), young and old. I had mine in half gallon vases at first, then put them in 1.5 and 2.5 gallon containers. Only 2 of mine are in gallon containers.
I just turned 41. I hide my age by pulling out the greys ... I may eventually go bald, but at least I'll look young while doing it. (I should probably just buy hair dye and keep a few strands...)
I started all mine in several 2 gallons bowls - but together - yes - an attempt at community living that was rather frightening to watch.
I had some nipped fins, and bought a few more tanks to compensate. Now they all live together in a 20 gal high, and I'm happy that the tough part seems over.
i'm actually in an apprentice for hairstyling right now, and half a year ahead of everyone. it's normally a one year course but i'm ahead of my game right now and i just need 650 out of 1000 hours until i can be licensed plus the 1500 in school.. grey hair is only from genetics and from the amout of blood being reached to the scalp.
i'm only 17 and i have grey hair, just like 20-30 strands.
that was totally random actually, lol
at the canadian petsmart, in mississauga ontario. the petsmart employee are pretty educated or maybe it's just i'm always there and alot of the older people, i'm saying like 30+, know what they need for their fish species. i've even asked them for advice one time which helped Mikoto's split one a few months back.
but most of the time, i ask my friend who works at petsmart. they seem to have everything i need and if they don't i can go to Big Al's for some more fish equipment and food.
I have grey hair but I'm leaving it alone...my hair is thin enough as it is, I'd definitely be bald if I pulled it out! lol
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