Keeping Bettas in Vases
"Betta in a Vase", is a large vase containing a peace lily plant, a Betta fish and some marbles either at the bottom or in a tray on top of the vase. It looks as beautiful as it sounds and is judged to be very much the 'in thing' at the moment. Everyone who considers themselves trendy or stylish, are clamoring to lay their hands on one or maybe more of these eye catching "Betta in a Vase" ornaments to grace their homes and offices.
Although "Betta in a Vase" may look fabulous on your coffee table or striking in a cluster of three on your dining room table, the truth is that it is both unhealthy and inhumane to the suffering Betta so proudly displayed in the vase. Many of the people, who buy these living knick-knacks, are reassured by the sellers that the Betta is comfortable and content with being in the vase. But are they? Let's take a look at life in a vase from the Betta's point of view.
For started, they need more room. Bettas require a lot of space within which to move around. They need to stretch out their fins, so to speak and get sufficient exercise. A vase, however large, limits the range of their movements and results in them damaging their fins.
Bettas need more Oxygen than the vase can provide. It is true that Betta can obtain oxygen either from fresh water or via special respiratory gland directly from the atmosphere if oxygen levels in the water are low. The issue is that for the Betta to use this special respiratory gland, they need to have access to the atmosphere. In the unnatural vase habitat the Betta finds itself, the tray of marbles or the water lily will block its access to the surface and leave the Betta gasping for oxygen when the supply in the water is diminished. A further risk is that the peace lily will eventually die, thus releasing toxins into the water. These toxins have an adverse and sometimes fatal effect on the Betta in the vase.
They need food and care. Many people are led into believing that a Betta in a vase requires neither. This is not true at all. In its natural habitat, the Betta's diet consists of insects and insect larvae. This fish's digestive tract is designed for meats. As with any other Betta kept as pets, the Betta in a vase needs to be fed regularly with freeze-dried bloodworms or fish to keep ensuring continued health and well-being. Starved and desperate, the Betta in a vase will eventually resort to eating the lily roots when nothing else is offered for it to feed on.
This is neither natural nor healthy for the Betta. If the Betta is deprived of its necessary nutrients, it could fall prey to any disease. Even if the Betta is fed, the vase should be dealt with as one would with a fish tank. The leftover food still needs to be siphoned off so that the water in the vase does not get contaminated and replenished with fresh water containing water conditioners. If this is not done, it will result in the death of the Betta. The vase cannot be viewed in the same light as that of natural waters where scavengers break down wastes and clean the water. The Betta vase needs to be cleaned at least once a week!
Betta needs proper water temperature, one of the many factors that have been completely overlooked by those who invented this fad. Bettas thrive in hot, moist climates and in waters that are maintained at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They may survive at lower temperatures but get very lethargic and stop eating. Unless you live in a warm climate, it is almost impossible to regulate the temperature of the water in a vase.
