rant: bettas in little plastic cups

Celeste · 06-03-2005, 09:48 AM

what is the problem? yes, pet stores sell bettas in little plastic cups. you know why? because bettas are highly agressive fish towards each other. pet stores have limited space. it would be so incredibly impractical to house 50 bettas EACH in 10, even 5 gallon aquariums. and they can't put them all together in one tank because they'd kill each other in a couple days. they're called siamese fighting fish for a reason.

i'm so sick of all you people harping on pet stores for selling bettas in these little deli cups. do you have a better suggestion?? it's a temporary home, hopefully they will only be in it for a few days at the most before someone buys them.

if you want to rant about any animal being kept in little deli cups, go after walmart selling hermit crabs like that. it's insane. especially because hermit crabs are very social animals and can be housed in very large groups so long as they have enough room.

some pet stores actually change the water in the betta cups daily, even twice a day. most pet stores feed them too! it's NOT as bad as you make it out to be.

believe me, i am the first person to go after a pet store if i think there's something that needs improving. i've b*tched out the managers of petsmart for their care of their hermit crabs on a regular basis. i've called their corporate offices and complained to them as well. they're just now finally starting to get the hint.

but this is not something i feel needs improving. if someone can think of a better way to do it, be my guest. but so far, this system works so long as the pet stores keep up with it, cleaning the cups and feeding and everything.

if you can think of a better way to TEMPORARILY house a highly agressive fish like a betta, in quantaties that a pet store has to carry, i'd like to hear it.

**Damon** · 06-03-2005, 10:21 AM

1.Well they could set up a barracks system. Not so expensive to house 96 bettas. And it would pay for itself after awhile. But most stores don't want to invest the money for one.

2. An upgrade in size of cup wouldn't cost but 2 pennies more per 100 cups.

3. Regular matainence of the bettas would help. Petstores do pay people money to matain the fish afterall...........

4. Keep them housed in community tanks. What many stores here do. They put them in breeder nets or boxes.

We've all heard the rants, both sides of it. You asked for suggestions. Here they are.

flynngriff · 06-03-2005, 11:55 AM

The "good" fish stores that I've seen that sell bettas use a barracks system... Basically a long, narrow tank with dividers set up every 5 inches or so... They're usually probably ten or twenty gallons total, and house 20 or so bettas. There's usually only one filter on them... Either that, or they're set up on the multi-tank filter system that the store uses for all their tanks. It works great, it gives the bettas good filtration, and they have 3 or 4 times as much room as the little plastic jars. It's heck of a lot easier to maintain than 20 little jars, too. I don't know why more stores don't use that kind of system. I could build one myself with supplies from any hardware store if I wanted to house 20 bettas.

Pac-Man · 06-03-2005, 02:52 PM

well, celeste...i hear u talking about how you are sick of us talking about betta cups, but you say hermit crabs need improvement....sounds hypocritical to me...why it any better too keep a betta in a small cup than it is to keep a hermit crab? do hermit crabs necassarily NEED larger tanks...no..would the crabs enjoy them, probably...would the bettas need a larger cup, no, but i wonder how much you would like being stuck in a plastic cup thats not even big enough to allow you to stretch...not to mention a barely filtered (usually, if its not part of a barracks system) cup, that has big temperature fluctuations....i mean, i can see how betta experts like aaa and rc keep them in 32 oz., but rc even changes the water twice evry 24 hours...i really don't think chains do that. there, that was my rant. most pet stores do need to improve their betta care, and if they don't, what makes it any better than keeping a hermit crab in a small tank?

Celeste · 06-03-2005, 03:58 PM

actually yes, the hermit crabs NEED larger tanks, and they NEED to be socialized, and they NEED 80% humidity to breathe, and they NEED fresh and varied food sources, or they will die. many hermit crabs are so utterly stressed out from being harvested from their native beaches and shipped to pet stores that take horrible care of them that they die soon after being purchased.

however, bettas are bred and raised in small containers. they are also bred in captivity. hermit crabs are not, they are harvested WILD from their natural habitat as they cannot breed in captivity.

i agree that it's awful to keep a betta in one of those cups for more than a few days, tops. but for temporary housing, it's not as bad as everyone seems to think. i think you need to look at the pet stores overall care of their animals. if the bettas just sit on a shelf in those cups for a week, no food, no water changes, etc. then yeah, that's pretty awful. but i've heard of pet stores that change the water in the betta cups once, twice a day, and that feed them every day too.

**Osiris** · 06-03-2005, 08:28 PM

i prefer to see the betta's in the "intank betta holders" versus the cups, just better system IMO.

Pac-Man · 06-04-2005, 07:15 AM

ok, celeste i see your point, but you have to understand alot of the stores i go into have bettas in those cups doing very minimal water changes....not to be gross but half the time the bettas are swimming in their own....well you know what i mean.

**Osiris** · 06-04-2005, 08:06 AM

i agree with pac-man, 99% of them do it, except one! but they are also known as good fish people as i actually met them on cichlidforum chat, there all the time, and are good breeders, they setup their betta area with automatic water change system! Pretty slick, even their FW tanks are setup for automatic, i notice water changes get done more often with them things lol

**Baby_Baby** · 06-11-2005, 11:26 AM

I agree with Pac-man too. I mean, evry fish needs their space (and crab), but just because a betta is territorial doesn't mean you can just justify it by putting it in a little cup. I mean, that's all it is. A cup. some pet stores change the water, while others do not. bettas are very mistreated in many pet stores. i wouldn't be surprised if thats were the reason they are so aggresive. but hermit crabs are mistreated too, so this is a bit of a sticky situation for both crab and fish.

aaa · 06-12-2005, 05:56 PM

i know this is not so related to the topic, but did anyone noticed that now more store charge a certain cents for the cup?

**Baby_Baby** · 06-12-2005, 05:58 PM

no, not really. do they really do that? CHEATERS!!!!!!!!!!!!! AGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! LETS FORM AN ANGRY MOB!!!!! No, just kidding. sorry =(

thatsfishy · 06-13-2005, 06:15 AM

Quote:

i wouldn't be surprised if thats were the reason they are so aggresive

Trust me, bettas been territorial and agressive BEFORE plastic cups were even invented!

Quote:

i know this is not so related to the topic, but did anyone noticed that now more store charge a certain cents for the cup?

Buy your bettas from local breeders ... they be happy to throw in the bag for free ... lol

Lexus · 06-13-2005, 07:40 AM

So is it any better to have those hang on the side ones, in your opinion?

**Baby_Baby** · 06-13-2005, 09:07 AM

i said the aggressive in a cup thing trying to emphasize the cruelty in all of it. poor little bettas.....all alone......sniff.....sniff.......without a big open tank to thrive in......poor little guys.....

Lexus · 06-13-2005, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baby_Baby

i said the aggressive in a cup thing trying to emphasize the cruelty in all of it. poor little bettas.....all alone......sniff.....sniff.......without a big open tank to thrive in......poor little guys.....

but as said before the cups are temporary.... bettas are bought and sold at a very high rate

**Baby_Baby** · 06-13-2005, 11:41 AM

i know, but they look so sad. at least they get purchased very fast =)

aaa · 06-13-2005, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatsfishy

Trust me, bettas been territorial and agressive BEFORE plastic cups were even invented!

Buy your bettas from local breeders ... they be happy to throw in the bag for free ... lol

don't worry, i never buy from store... those VTs are not for me... i don't keep VTs anymore.

Hamm35924 · 06-13-2005, 08:21 PM

doesnt that upset the bettas seeing another betta though? i read somewhere that it does, so wouldnt the barracks system be worse than the cups. I dont know though really.

osteoporoosi · 06-14-2005, 05:40 AM

In my local LFS female bettas are in one tank and males are kept in community tanks with peaceful tetras, I think this system beats the deli-cups.
I think that eeping bettas or any other fish in cups isn't bad for a while, but people who buy the cups don't often understand that they are for temporarely housing.

maxpayne_lhp · 06-14-2005, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by osteoporoosi

In my local LFS female bettas are in one tank and males are kept in community tanks with peaceful tetras, I think this system beats the deli-cups.
I think that eeping bettas or any other fish in cups isn't bad for a while, but people who buy the cups don't often understand that they are for temporarely housing.

Some local fish stores are not big enough so the cup one seem to be the first one to be considered by the managers... as I can see, there're just about 5~6 tanks that can put male bettas in in a fish store. So that means they can only run a stock of 5~6 male bettas? And the diet, bettas are slow movers so it could be a problem keeping bettas with some other fish (tho peacful) it also prevents the employees to keep track with their bettas.
So, in my opinion, just wider the cups a bit or set up the barrack systems are ideal for keeping bettas in stores.

06-03-2005, 09:48 AM	#1
Celeste Guardian of Angolenor Join Date: May 2005 Location: Washington state Age: 23 Posts: 162	rant: bettas in little plastic cups what is the problem? yes, pet stores sell bettas in little plastic cups. you know why? because bettas are highly agressive fish towards each other. pet stores have limited space. it would be so incredibly impractical to house 50 bettas EACH in 10, even 5 gallon aquariums. and they can't put them all together in one tank because they'd kill each other in a couple days. they're called siamese fighting fish for a reason. i'm so sick of all you people harping on pet stores for selling bettas in these little deli cups. do you have a better suggestion?? it's a temporary home, hopefully they will only be in it for a few days at the most before someone buys them. if you want to rant about any animal being kept in little deli cups, go after walmart selling hermit crabs like that. it's insane. especially because hermit crabs are very social animals and can be housed in very large groups so long as they have enough room. some pet stores actually change the water in the betta cups daily, even twice a day. most pet stores feed them too! it's NOT as bad as you make it out to be. believe me, i am the first person to go after a pet store if i think there's something that needs improving. i've btched out the managers of petsmart for their care of their hermit crabs on a regular basis. i've called their corporate offices and complained to them as well. they're just now finally starting to get the hint. but this is not something i feel needs improving. if someone can think of a better way to do it, be my guest. but so far, this system works so long as the pet stores keep up with it, cleaning the cups and feeding and everything. if you can think of a better way to TEMPORARILY house a highly agressive fish like a betta, in quantaties that a pet store has to carry, i'd like to hear it. __________________ Concealed by nights icy cloak Through the brambles, not a sound Whisper like a shade to choke With blades of venom, to the ground Last edited by Celeste; 06-03-2005 at 09:54 AM.*

06-03-2005, 10:21 AM	#2
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	1.Well they could set up a barracks system. Not so expensive to house 96 bettas. And it would pay for itself after awhile. But most stores don't want to invest the money for one. 2. An upgrade in size of cup wouldn't cost but 2 pennies more per 100 cups. 3. Regular matainence of the bettas would help. Petstores do pay people money to matain the fish afterall........... 4. Keep them housed in community tanks. What many stores here do. They put them in breeder nets or boxes. We've all heard the rants, both sides of it. You asked for suggestions. Here they are. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

06-03-2005, 02:52 PM	#4
Pac-Man Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Age: 4 Posts: 584	well, celeste...i hear u talking about how you are sick of us talking about betta cups, but you say hermit crabs need improvement....sounds hypocritical to me...why it any better too keep a betta in a small cup than it is to keep a hermit crab? do hermit crabs necassarily NEED larger tanks...no..would the crabs enjoy them, probably...would the bettas need a larger cup, no, but i wonder how much you would like being stuck in a plastic cup thats not even big enough to allow you to stretch...not to mention a barely filtered (usually, if its not part of a barracks system) cup, that has big temperature fluctuations....i mean, i can see how betta experts like aaa and rc keep them in 32 oz., but rc even changes the water twice evry 24 hours...i really don't think chains do that. there, that was my rant. most pet stores do need to improve their betta care, and if they don't, what makes it any better than keeping a hermit crab in a small tank? __________________ 29g Planted Open Top Community 1x65W Coralife PC, Sand, DIY C02 7 Neon Tetras 8 Lemon Tetras 5 Emerald Brochis 10g Planted Flourite, DIY C02 6x Java Fern 4 Cherry Barbs $$$Get Free CASH from Filling out Easy Surveys. PM me if you want some advice.$$$

06-03-2005, 03:58 PM	#5
Celeste Guardian of Angolenor Join Date: May 2005 Location: Washington state Age: 23 Posts: 162	actually yes, the hermit crabs NEED larger tanks, and they NEED to be socialized, and they NEED 80% humidity to breathe, and they NEED fresh and varied food sources, or they will die. many hermit crabs are so utterly stressed out from being harvested from their native beaches and shipped to pet stores that take horrible care of them that they die soon after being purchased. however, bettas are bred and raised in small containers. they are also bred in captivity. hermit crabs are not, they are harvested WILD from their natural habitat as they cannot breed in captivity. i agree that it's awful to keep a betta in one of those cups for more than a few days, tops. but for temporary housing, it's not as bad as everyone seems to think. i think you need to look at the pet stores overall care of their animals. if the bettas just sit on a shelf in those cups for a week, no food, no water changes, etc. then yeah, that's pretty awful. but i've heard of pet stores that change the water in the betta cups once, twice a day, and that feed them every day too. __________________ Concealed by nights icy cloak Through the brambles, not a sound Whisper like a shade to choke With blades of venom, to the ground

06-03-2005, 08:28 PM	#6
Osiris Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 25 Posts: 3,714	i prefer to see the betta's in the "intank betta holders" versus the cups, just better system IMO. __________________ Reality is for people who can't handle Science-Fiction

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06-03-2005, 11:55 AM	#3
flynngriff Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Age: 35 Posts: 443	The "good" fish stores that I've seen that sell bettas use a barracks system... Basically a long, narrow tank with dividers set up every 5 inches or so... They're usually probably ten or twenty gallons total, and house 20 or so bettas. There's usually only one filter on them... Either that, or they're set up on the multi-tank filter system that the store uses for all their tanks. It works great, it gives the bettas good filtration, and they have 3 or 4 times as much room as the little plastic jars. It's heck of a lot easier to maintain than 20 little jars, too. I don't know why more stores don't use that kind of system. I could build one myself with supplies from any hardware store if I wanted to house 20 bettas.

06-04-2005, 07:15 AM	#7
Pac-Man Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Age: 4 Posts: 584	ok, celeste i see your point, but you have to understand alot of the stores i go into have bettas in those cups doing very minimal water changes....not to be gross but half the time the bettas are swimming in their own....well you know what i mean. __________________ 29g Planted Open Top Community 1x65W Coralife PC, Sand, DIY C02 7 Neon Tetras 8 Lemon Tetras 5 Emerald Brochis 10g Planted Flourite, DIY C02 6x Java Fern 4 Cherry Barbs $$$Get Free CASH from Filling out Easy Surveys. PM me if you want some advice.$$$

06-04-2005, 08:06 AM	#8
Osiris Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 25 Posts: 3,714	i agree with pac-man, 99% of them do it, except one! but they are also known as good fish people as i actually met them on cichlidforum chat, there all the time, and are good breeders, they setup their betta area with automatic water change system! Pretty slick, even their FW tanks are setup for automatic, i notice water changes get done more often with them things lol __________________ Reality is for people who can't handle Science-Fiction

06-11-2005, 11:26 AM	#9
Baby_Baby Friendly Neighborhood Mod Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tulsa Posts: 3,681	I agree with Pac-man too. I mean, evry fish needs their space (and crab), but just because a betta is territorial doesn't mean you can just justify it by putting it in a little cup. I mean, that's all it is. A cup. some pet stores change the water, while others do not. bettas are very mistreated in many pet stores. i wouldn't be surprised if thats were the reason they are so aggresive. but hermit crabs are mistreated too, so this is a bit of a sticky situation for both crab and fish.

06-12-2005, 05:56 PM	#10
aaa Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Grand Prairie, Texas Age: 20 Posts: 521	i know this is not so related to the topic, but did anyone noticed that now more store charge a certain cents for the cup?

06-12-2005, 05:58 PM	#11
Baby_Baby Friendly Neighborhood Mod Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tulsa Posts: 3,681	no, not really. do they really do that? CHEATERS!!!!!!!!!!!!! AGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! LETS FORM AN ANGRY MOB!!!!! No, just kidding. sorry =( __________________ *Why do you have to "put your two cents in"... but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?*

06-13-2005, 07:40 AM	#13
Lexus Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 22 Posts: 2,406	So is it any better to have those hang on the side ones, in your opinion? __________________ 55 Gallon 2 Blood Parrots 2 Angelfish 1 Fantail Goldfish 46 Gallon 1 Albino Bristlenose 2 Angelfish 4 African Dwarf Frogs 4 Black Skirt Tetras 5 Zebra Danios 8 Tiger Barbs 9 Neon Tetras 13 Assorted Corys 29 Gallon 8 Daffodil Cichlids & fry 1 Electric Blue Crayfish 10 Gallon 2 Snails

06-13-2005, 09:07 AM	#14
Baby_Baby Friendly Neighborhood Mod Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tulsa Posts: 3,681	i said the aggressive in a cup thing trying to emphasize the cruelty in all of it. poor little bettas.....all alone......sniff.....sniff.......without a big open tank to thrive in......poor little guys..... __________________ *Why do you have to "put your two cents in"... but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?*

06-13-2005, 11:41 AM	#16
Baby_Baby Friendly Neighborhood Mod Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tulsa Posts: 3,681	i know, but they look so sad. at least they get purchased very fast =) __________________ *Why do you have to "put your two cents in"... but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?*

06-13-2005, 08:21 PM	#18
Hamm35924 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Age: 16 Posts: 229	doesnt that upset the bettas seeing another betta though? i read somewhere that it does, so wouldnt the barracks system be worse than the cups. I dont know though really.

06-14-2005, 05:40 AM	#19
osteoporoosi Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 633	In my local LFS female bettas are in one tank and males are kept in community tanks with peaceful tetras, I think this system beats the deli-cups. I think that eeping bettas or any other fish in cups isn't bad for a while, but people who buy the cups don't often understand that they are for temporarely housing. __________________ http://photobucket.com/albums/v640/osteoporoosi/

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