um...what?!?! *Scratches head* (Rant)

[aemaki09]

I was just looking at a facebook betta auction sight and saw the person that runs the page posted this::

"Only one male, you can have a pair in a 10gal or larger as long as they have lots of live plants /hiding places. Single Bettas should be kept in something 1.5gal or larger "

in a comment on one of his status's.

I'm shocked that someone who claims to be "an experienced breeder" would say something like that.

I've been trying hard not to bash this person, as I really think that he is taking advantage of inexperienced keepers....but I really cant believe that he would say that a pair is okay to keep together in a 10 gallon.

I wont lie and say "I've neveer put a male with females", I have. I had a male in a breeder net in my 26 once and couldnt find a cup for him during the w/c so I put him into the tank for the 5 minutes the change would take and he would not stop chasing the females. at this time they had TONS of cover, places to hide, but any second that he saw a female he would be after her. This person should be aware of this being the case, so why suggest it??



Sorry for the rant. I just had to get it out there.

[Tikibirds]

a pair of males in one tank without a divider?

[aemaki09]

I think he meant a pair as in male and female, but still without a divider

[VJM]

I am not surprised. Many people that breed do it for money or ego, it has very little to do with concern for animals. If it did, the focus might be on health and longevity, rather than flashy phenotypes.

Maybe this breeder has had one of those odd experiences where they did keep a pair successfully. It's too bad they are extrapolating from that so broadly, especially since they need to be educating buyers about proper husbandry.

Could you post and ask what they are basing that statement on, since it conflicts with all the other information that is available on Betta keeping?

[aemaki09]

That is actually a good idea.
I'll ask now

[Skyewillow]

My stepsister's mom kept a pair in a 1.5 or so for 3 years. Apparently, once the initial novelty wears off, they're relatively ok. They even kept having spawns, but they'd eat them all once they hatched.

Not suggestible, but indeed possible

[aemaki09]

I agree that it might be possible. But all these people he is selling to seem like they are clueless on bettas.
Or maybe just on what a good quality Betta looks like...
This guys bettas regularly sell for like $35-45, and they are pet store quality IMO. I personally believe he is ripping people off. These people think that because he's a breeder and can answer their questions (even if the answers are lies) that he has quality fish.


I'm sorry, I just really cannot understand what the deal is with this.

[dramaqueen]

I don't like the idea of letting them have babies so they can use the fry as a food source. That seems wrong IMO.

[MiyuMikaelson]

That's really concerning. Even when I had no idea about Betta care; I knew you shouldn't put two together. (Or keep them in vases with plants. My Aunt did that and the betta's looked so sad. ;-; )

[MoonShadow]

Is this the Betta Bids Auction guy on FB? If so I agree that they are pet store quality and people are being ripped off, I sometimes think he goes to petstore, buys the fish and then resells them to people who don't know any better.

I bought 2 bettas from him once cause he had this amazing crowntail for sale. When I got them they were both extremely lethargic, pale and the orange dalmation HM I got had nasty fin rot. They were also super skinny. I lost the crowntail within 2 days!