People keeping and breeding show bettas most often aren't commercial breeders...just hobbyists. And they keep their fish in jars.
Matt
Matt
The truth about bettas?
- Thread starter Buphy
- Start date
Hobbyists that sell/trade their fish are by definition, commercial operators; albeit part time....What do these hobbyist do with their offspring?
The think the keeping of bettas in bowls has done more to tarnish the reputation of the aquatic pet industry than anything else. Many people would never think of getting into the hobby because this is their introduction to the hobby.
Gonna have to agree to disagree, I don't house my fish in bowls and I don't stake out my dogs on chains(even though I could and have seen others doing it); I try to provide the best enclosures for my animals(the small to the large) that can be afforded. I think we should strive to provide more than a bowl(especially when recommending to others)....
Gonna have to agree to disagree, I don't house my fish in bowls and I don't stake out my dogs on chains(even though I could and have seen others doing it); I try to provide the best enclosures for my animals(the small to the large) that can be afforded. I think we should strive to provide more than a bowl(especially when recommending to others)....
Last edited:
Then - by that definition - there are a heck of a lot of hobbyist "commercial operators" on this site, whether they know it or not 
A single betta spawn can yield hundreds of babies. When I kept and bred them (I guess I was a commercial operator back when I was 12 and they were the first egg layer that I bred), I'd raise the fry in a 10g tank (the tank they bred in) until males started to fight...at which time I'd jar the most interesting and promising. The rest got fed to cichlids (at the time a group of Frontosa). Of course I had bunches of jars but to require as many tanks just doesn't make sense.
Reality is that betta care is quite simple and that many people, from casual to advanced hobbyists, successfully keep bettas for long lives in bowls and jars. If the people who are at the elite level of hobbyists who breed and raise fish to win IBC shows do it, then it's probably what works best (or they'd do something different).
A single betta spawn can yield hundreds of babies. When I kept and bred them (I guess I was a commercial operator back when I was 12 and they were the first egg layer that I bred), I'd raise the fry in a 10g tank (the tank they bred in) until males started to fight...at which time I'd jar the most interesting and promising. The rest got fed to cichlids (at the time a group of Frontosa). Of course I had bunches of jars but to require as many tanks just doesn't make sense.
Reality is that betta care is quite simple and that many people, from casual to advanced hobbyists, successfully keep bettas for long lives in bowls and jars. If the people who are at the elite level of hobbyists who breed and raise fish to win IBC shows do it, then it's probably what works best (or they'd do something different).
Simple question to ask yourself, did you sell or trade your fish, if so you are a commercial operator regardless of age.? Or were you trying to start a giant Betta collection for yourself?
Then - by that definition - there are a heck of a lot of hobbyist "commercial operators" on this site, whether they know it or not
A single betta spawn can yield hundreds of babies. When I kept and bred them (I guess I was a commercial operator back when I was 12 and they were the first egg layer that I bred), I'd raise the fry in a 10g tank (the tank they bred in) until males started to fight...at which time I'd jar the most interesting and promising. The rest got fed to cichlids (at the time a group of Frontosa). Of course I had bunches of jars but to require as many tanks just doesn't make sense.
Reality is that betta care is quite simple and that many people, from casual to advanced hobbyists, successfully keep bettas for long lives in bowls and jars. If the people who are at the elite level of hobbyists who breed and raise fish to win IBC shows do it, then it's probably what works best (or they'd do something different).
Often times the most economical ways of raising livestock, doesn't necessarily equate to the best conditions for the animal.IME
People who raise bettas to show don't primarily care about economics. They care about breeding and growing the best bettas. And they use a lot of bowls...
When I was a kid I probably ended up trading some of my excess bettas for credit at the LFS and bringing some to my fish club for Breeders Award Points (BAP). So I guess I was running a commercial operation out of my bedroom.
Matt
When I was a kid I probably ended up trading some of my excess bettas for credit at the LFS and bringing some to my fish club for Breeders Award Points (BAP). So I guess I was running a commercial operation out of my bedroom.
Matt
I'm saying that bowls and jars can provide excellent conditions for them. Why else would hobbyists who are trying to grow the best show fish or best breeders keep them in bowls?
"Optimal" means "the best." It's hypothetical and unknowable. Maybe a 12' tank filled 6" deep with a bunch of floating plants is optimal. Or maybe a 16' tank filled 4" deep is.
Matt
"Optimal" means "the best." It's hypothetical and unknowable. Maybe a 12' tank filled 6" deep with a bunch of floating plants is optimal. Or maybe a 16' tank filled 4" deep is.
Matt
