The Betta Vase

The Betta vase is a recent craze where vases with a plant (Often a Peace Lily) were sold with a male Betta included. The first generation of the instructions said that there was no need to feed the Betta as it would live off the roots of the plant. Now one grossly incorrect thing here is that bettas are carnivores. They eat small insects and worms in their natural habitat, and will only nibble of plants. They can derive little nutrition from a vegetarian diet. The worst part of this item is that it takes a healthy male betta about a month to starve to death, so by the time the fish dies people often assumed it dies of something different than starvation and go get a new one.

It is okay to keep a betta in a vase, but there are a few qualifications that should be met. Bettas do need at least enough space to turn around, so make it a bigger vase. The plant is also a good idea, but having one smallish plant will not make up for water changes. In a bowl or vase water changes should be gradual, about 10 percent a day, replacing the water with dechlorinated tap water. Also feed your betta. There are many inexpensive staple betta diets, buy smaller packages so that the food does not have a chance to go bad, and feed them 2-3 pellets a day. Also keep them warm. Bettas come from tropical water, and love heat, between 77-80 are good temps for keeping a happy betta.

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