Keeping a freshwater fish as a pet is a great way to get some aquatic fun into your life and add a little something to talk about at cocktail parties. But there are hidden dangers to this that most people fail to consider. Even if you’re a seasoned pet owner, you should be aware of some of the hazards that come with keeping exotic fish.
Betta fish are widespread throughout the world, and they’re relatively easy to find. The problem is that people that keep them as pets fail to consider the dangers that they are exposing their fish too. Betta fish are famous for breeding rapidly and breeding like crazy, and they are very territorial. You can get more info about many places online where people sell their betta fish for breeding as well as places that sell betta fish as pets.
Why are Betta Fish Dangerous as Pets?
Betta fish are an exotic type of fish that are majorly popular as pets, but people fail to consider the dangers that come with them. Bettas are territorial and will fight to the death if they feel threatened. They also have a long lifespan of around 5-6 years which means they’ll live for a long time and outlive their owners. They also have a tendency to bite or nibble on other fish and animals in your tank, which can be dangerous if you have small children or pets that like to swim in your aquarium. The best thing to do is to try and get your betta from a breeder who has done all the necessary genetic testing on their fish so that it doesn’t carry any diseases or harmful parasites.
Betta Fish Disease
One of the biggest problems with betta fish is their susceptibility to disease. They are very sensitive to a variety of water conditions, and they are especially vulnerable to ich, which is a parasite that causes white flakes on the body. These parasites can cause major damage if they invade the gills and other areas of the body. Betta fish also have difficulty getting rid of bacterial infections, so it’s important to keep them in clean water at all times.
Betta fish are also very susceptible to ammonia poisoning, which could end up killing your pet. That’s why it’s always important to make sure you get a filter for your tank before you purchase anything else for your betta fish aquarium. If you have any other animals or children in your household, make sure to place the tank somewhere out of reach.
Betta fish aggression
Betta fish are aggressive and territorial fish. They will be aggressive toward other betta fish, but they’re especially aggressive to other species. Fish like guppies and goldfish will quickly become a snack for the betta fish. You should never put any type of fish in a tank with a betta, as they are likely to kill them. This is why most pet stores that sell these types of fish do not keep them in tanks together — they have separate tanks or they are kept behind the counter.
Another issue is that people often underestimate how much space bettas need to thrive. Some people think that because their little one-gallon tank is occupied by one measly little betta, then it meets all of their needs for space. The reality is that these tropical animals need more space than that! They need clean water and can’t be kept in a heated or cooled air conditioner (or heater) because their delicate fins can get burned or singed from the sudden changes in temperature.
Betta Fish tank size and requirements
One of the first things that you should consider when you’re thinking about buying a betta fish is the size of the tank. Bettas should not be kept in tanks smaller than 1 gallon. It may sound like a lot, but they can grow to be quite large – up to 5 inches long! Most pet stores and breeders recommend at least a 2-3 gallon tank, preferably 10 gallons or more.
Bettas also require a type of water specifically for them. The best way to set up your betta’s tank is by using dechlorinated water and then adding a heater and filter as well as some plants. Plants will help oxygenate the water and provide your betta with places to hide from unwanted visitors.
Betta Fish food
One of the most common hazards that come with keeping betta fish is their food. Bettas are carnivores, and they eat live prey such as worms–which means that it’s very easy to overfeed your fish and cause them to become obese. People can get so excited about the new pet that they fail to read up on how much food they need to give them or what kind of food they should be giving them. This can lead to obesity or even death because they won’t stop eating when they’re full.
Another major concern is the salt content in the water that your pet lives in. Bettas are freshwater fish, which means that their water should not have any salt in it whatsoever. You should never add anything like table salt or Epsom salts into your fish tank because they will die from sodium poisoning. Saltwater contains a higher concentration of sodium than freshwater does, so this is also something you want to be careful with when you’re adding liquids into your tank for cleaning purposes.
Despite being attractive and extremely popular pets, betta fish present some hidden dangers. They require specialized care, and if you don’t take care of them properly, you could end up killing them–or worse yet, someone might kill them before you do.
