Betta World For Bettas
Fish Welfare Research Library
Studies on fish sentience, pain perception, cognition, behavior, and social learning suggest that fish are capable of far more than many people assume. This page gathers selected research relevant to fish welfare, helping highlight why fish deserve greater care, ethical consideration, and stronger protections.
Betta fish welfare
Takeaway: This paper specifically discusses welfare concerns for bettas in retail and home aquarium settings.
Pleeging, C. C. F., & Moons, C. P. H. (2017).
Life in a fishbowl: Space and environmental enrichment affect behaviour of Betta splendens. Oldfield, R. G., & Murphy, E. K. (2024).
Takeaway: Findings show betta fish behavior show full expression of swimming behavior in 2.6 gal enriched tanks.
Clark-Shen, N., Tariel-Adam, J., Gajanur, A., & Brown, C. (2024).
Fish welfare in the pet trade
Fish Welfare in the Ornamental Trade: Stress Factors, Legislation, and Emerging Initiatives
Maia, C.M, Gauy, A. C. d. S., & Gonçalves-de-Freitas, E. (2025)
Beyond Aesthetics: Addressing Ornamental Fish Welfare In India
Siddiqui, A. & Gondli, I (2025)
Fish pain
Do Fish Feel Pain? book by Victoria Braithwaite, 2010