Thanks for that OFL, a lot of good info!
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Thanks OFL love all your info 
Great post. thank you. This helps a lot. Especially when it comes to my Thai betta Joey and why he bit his fins after I moved him into a larger tank. I don't feel guilty for having my guys in 2.5 and 3 gal tanks
I posted this on FB, so forgive me if you're read it
it all depends on an individual fish when it comes down to it. for the most part, 75% of my bettas do better in one gallon jars. but of course, I know to do very frequent water changes. i have boys in a divided 10 gallon and the ends of their tails are tattered, every one of them. they do not get to each other and there is nothing in their sections to harm them.you have to gain experience and decide for yourself. and for me, I pretty much agree with OFL
And also on heating - I think the issue also boils down to breeder vs hobbyist. A breeder usually has a dedicated room warm enough to heat the water. Which I do. All my betta jars are in the room I'm in now, which is very warm. 80+ and the water stays anywhere from 77-79, so it's perfect. In the winter I'll have to add a space heater though.
If you are an experienced hobbyist that knows what you're doing, then you can safely and effectively keep them in the smaller containers (at least a gal). For newbies that don't know better and will misinterpret what OFL wrote, it may be better to suggest 5 gallons, filtered and heated.
it all depends on an individual fish when it comes down to it. for the most part, 75% of my bettas do better in one gallon jars. but of course, I know to do very frequent water changes. i have boys in a divided 10 gallon and the ends of their tails are tattered, every one of them. they do not get to each other and there is nothing in their sections to harm them.you have to gain experience and decide for yourself. and for me, I pretty much agree with OFL
And also on heating - I think the issue also boils down to breeder vs hobbyist. A breeder usually has a dedicated room warm enough to heat the water. Which I do. All my betta jars are in the room I'm in now, which is very warm. 80+ and the water stays anywhere from 77-79, so it's perfect. In the winter I'll have to add a space heater though.
If you are an experienced hobbyist that knows what you're doing, then you can safely and effectively keep them in the smaller containers (at least a gal). For newbies that don't know better and will misinterpret what OFL wrote, it may be better to suggest 5 gallons, filtered and heated.
Agreed with bahamut on most points.
Now for my own 2cents, I must say...I have seen more differences in opinion on husbandry concerning bettas more than any other fish I've kept so far. And they all seem so different in personality that I'd have to say it makes them probably some of the more challenging fish to keep, which is certainly the opposite than how they are generally thought to be.
Quantified for a second:
-some thrive in community settings, some won't tolerate even a tiny pest snail.
-some get constipated easily, some can eat like a pig and never grow a belly.
-some seem to prefer smaller tanks (while I admit I believe this is a minority, though just my opinion), some love larger ones
-some are rather lazy and "chill," and some zoom around all day begging for food
-some get stressed easily and love to nip off their own fins, while others seem to be able to handle major changes in environment with fascination, almost.
-some seem to enjoy being in a divided tank and having a neighbor to flare at; and others seem to only want to have anything to do with their human helpers.
And the list goes on, really. Which is why I think it's very hard for anyone to come up with any single list of circumstances that will apply to all bettas; because I don't think such a list exists. The challenge in betta keeping is getting to know your fish, and learning what he or she prefers, and what will make him or her happy.
So this is why I say, "beginner fish? No way!" I've seen such a large spectrum of personality in the several bettas I've kept; they all had unique nuances to their personalities and dietary needs, that the only thing I can say with confidence that was the same? They all needed clean water.
Now for my own 2cents, I must say...I have seen more differences in opinion on husbandry concerning bettas more than any other fish I've kept so far. And they all seem so different in personality that I'd have to say it makes them probably some of the more challenging fish to keep, which is certainly the opposite than how they are generally thought to be.
Quantified for a second:
-some thrive in community settings, some won't tolerate even a tiny pest snail.
-some get constipated easily, some can eat like a pig and never grow a belly.
-some seem to prefer smaller tanks (while I admit I believe this is a minority, though just my opinion), some love larger ones
-some are rather lazy and "chill," and some zoom around all day begging for food
-some get stressed easily and love to nip off their own fins, while others seem to be able to handle major changes in environment with fascination, almost.
-some seem to enjoy being in a divided tank and having a neighbor to flare at; and others seem to only want to have anything to do with their human helpers.
And the list goes on, really. Which is why I think it's very hard for anyone to come up with any single list of circumstances that will apply to all bettas; because I don't think such a list exists. The challenge in betta keeping is getting to know your fish, and learning what he or she prefers, and what will make him or her happy.
So this is why I say, "beginner fish? No way!" I've seen such a large spectrum of personality in the several bettas I've kept; they all had unique nuances to their personalities and dietary needs, that the only thing I can say with confidence that was the same? They all needed clean water.
I agree with indjo, Ofl isn't saying keep your bettas in tiny containers, she's saying let them get used to bigger sizes slowly. Of course, each betta is different, some like huge spaces, some don't. But this was a good read, it answers the question why so many bettas that were totally normal, get weird, skittish or lethargic when brought home and put in big tanks.. I unconsciously end up doing this.. Get betta put him in 1/2 gallon for a week, move to 1 gallon for another week or two and then finally into a 2.5.. It's not very big but all my babies are comfortable, that's all I need.
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