Conversation with Amy at The Pet Works, Olympia WA

By Oxley Wahler

This article was written following a conversation with Amy, an aquatics specialist at The Pet Works in Olympia, Washington, and reflects key takeaways from that discussion.

Overlooked ways betta cups are hurting fish

It doesn’t take an expert in fish care to see that life in a small, plastic cup isn’t very comfortable. Betta cups don’t allow for good aeration or room to swim, and the water quickly becomes dirty. However, there are several downsides to betta cups that, while not as obvious at first glance, are just as harmful to the creatures inside them.

If the small amount of water in a betta cup quickly becomes dirty, daily water changes might seem like the simple solution. However, rapid fluctuations of the water parameters can cause stress similar to poor water quality. When uneaten food or waste lingers at the bottom of the cup, it can cause levels of ammonia to spike rapidly in the small container. Even when dirty water is removed and swapped with fresh water, the repeating cycle of ammonia-rich water and clean water can cause wear on the fish’s gills and other organs.

If fish should happen to get sick, dosing for medication also becomes a problem in small cups. Most medication for fish is measured in terms of how many gallons it treats. Betta cups are only a fraction of a gallon, and micro-dosing treatments for common ailments can prove to be a struggle.

A tiny, clear cup is a far cry from any environment a fish could thrive in in the wild. It’s little wonder that there are a myriad of threats posed by these containers, some of which might not even be apparent to a beginning fishkeeper.

Why bettas aren’t the perfect starter fish you’re looking for

Bettas are often hailed as a perfect pet for the novice fishkeeper, and at first glance, the science seems to prove it. Bettas are hardy and forgiving of a variety of water parameters. What’s more, they have a specialized organ called a labyrinth which enables them to take in oxygen from the air much more easily than other fish. These traits can help them survive in small, poorly oxygenated environments and have contributed to this unfortunate reputation. But is surviving really thriving, and are bettas really an ideal beginner fish?

Amy, an aquatics specialist at The Pet Works in downtown Olympia, says differently. According to her, bettas are far from a perfect first fish for someone looking to get into the aquarium hobby.

To start, bettas have been bred for countless generations to make their already beautiful fins and scales even more flashy. It’s well known that purebred dogs like pugs suffer from health problems due to the way their snouts have been shaped by breeders. Bettas are much the same. The fins of today’s captive male bettas are far longer and more fragile than their wild counterparts from centuries past. Because of their trailing fins, they are much more susceptible to fin rot and other physical damage caused by their fins catching on gravel or aquatic decor. Breed variants such as koi bettas and veil tails are also susceptible to dropsy and scale injuries.

If you’re looking for a crystal-clear aquarium, bettas might not be right for you. Perfectly clear water isn’t as healthy for bettas as water with a degree of tannins, which more closely mimics their natural habitat. Tannins, a compound which comes from plants, is beneficial to the protective coat of slime which covers bettas and helps prevent disease. A side-effect of tannins is turning the water a slightly brackish color, which some fishkeepers might not see as ideal.

So what aquatic creatures might be a better fit? Consider small-bodied gouramis, which share a lot with bettas. They come in many bright colors, though their fins are not as susceptible to tears, and as a whole they are less prone to the diseases which come from overbreeding. Like bettas, gouramis such as the licorice gourami or sparkling gourami are hardy and can take in oxygen with a labyrinth organ. If you feel up to adopting a betta, consider a wild-type instead of one of the many specialty breeds. The Pet Works proudly keeps wild-type bettas to adopt, and you’ll find they have on average, a much longer lifespan. You’ll likely encounter fewer health troubles with these pets as well. Wild bettas are still plenty colorful, and stunning to watch!

This article was written by Oxley Wahler.