[Rob S]

For a single fish, 2.5 gallons is fine as long as the tank is maintained and the occupant is cared for, IMHO.

I see this firsthand with my betta. Long story short, I've kept fish for 40 years in tanks from 10 to 30 gallons, but I haven't had a tank in the last 7 years. This Christmas my wife bought me a 0.4L desktop nano tank from Sharper image - no filter, no heater - really just a desktop stress-reliever. I had no intention of putting a fish in it becuase it was so tiny, but my wife bought me a Betta two weeks later (she meant well,LOL). I work from home, and my desk is tiny - 20"wx40"l. The nano tank fit on my desk.

I had my betta, Fredo, in the Sharper image tank for two weeks, doing daily water changes. Needless to say, he was not happy - he wasn't eating, hung out at the bottom, and hasd no room to swim.

I went out and got the Fluval Betta Premium tank, which has 2.6 gallons for the fish (and another gallon for the filter and heater, for a total of 3.6G). It is the biggest tank I could realistically fit on my desk, so I did the best I could.

I am doing fish-in cycling using Fluval Cycle, and monitoring the water daily. Tank is planted with live plants, and Fredo is a different fish. He is active, eats with gusto, and his colors and fins are beautiful!

To me, while the 0.4L was definitely too small, the larger (but still small) tank has given Fredo a great place to live and be happy. I also think that while I don't have space for a 5+ gallon tank, providing a well-kept 2.6 gallon is fine, and much better than him still sitting at Petco in a cup with the other bettas.

 

[RussellTheShihTzu]

Welcome to the Forum!

Fredo is lovely. Sounds as if he has a great new home and plants.

If you've been at this 40 years than you know all about the brouhaha over tank size. It's been going on for donkey's years but mostly since the introduction of social media.

 

[Thebettabubble]

450 square inches is the outdated, unsuitable minimum. The commonly accepted and required minimum is 600 square inches.

Please, as @RussellTheShihTzu said, site your sources, where exactly, and who exactly has decided that the 450 square inches of floorspace is the outdated minimum

Since you didn't respond to anything else on my post, does this mean you agree with everything else?

 

[सतरंगी मछली]

Please, as @RussellTheShihTzu said, site your sources, where exactly, and who exactly has decided that the 450 square inches of floorspace is the outdated minimum

Since you didn't respond to anything else on my post, does this mean you agree with everything else?

450 square inches is not a suitable size given the behavior of hamsters. This can all depend on the hamster itself though. This thread is not about hamsters, it’s about bettas, so can we please get back on topic?

 

[Thebettabubble]

450 square inches is not a suitable size given the behavior of hamsters. This can all depend on the hamster itself though. This thread is not about hamsters, it’s about bettas, so can we please get back on topic?

I agree with you there, this thread is about bettas

 

[Rob S]

Welcome to the Forum!

Fredo is lovely. Sounds as if he has a great new home and plants.

If you've been at this 40 years than you know all about the brouhaha over tank size. It's been going on for donkey's years but mostly since the introduction of social media.

Thanks. A well-kept 2.5 gallon can be a better home for a betta than a less-maintained larger tank. Having him on my desk means I give him a LOT of attention, and keep up the tank.

Enjoying this forum and learning a lot about Bettas. Thanks everyone!