Fishkeeping Guide: Why Are Bowls Bad for a Betta Fish Habitat

Everyone thinks of their pets as part of their family. Sometimes, however, people don’t put the health and well-being of their fish into consideration as much as they put the health and well-being of other pets such as cats and dogs.

One of the most popular types of fish that have become a favorite as a pet is the betta, because of their colorful fins and bodies. These traits make for a beautiful and soothing sight to have in one’s home. However, they are still living things, not a decoration that you can add to your home without care, so you need to make sure that you’re taking care of them properly. 

There are different ways to take care of your betta fish. According to www.aquariadise.com/betta-fish/ the first thing to think about if you are planning on getting a betta fish is what kind of habitat your fish needs to live in; including the temperature, spaciousness and its surrounding environment. Sometimes people think that it’s fine to keep their betta fish in bowls, however, this can be quite harmful to the fish. We’re going to go over a couple of points to clarify this fact in more detail.

1. Cleanliness

One of the reasons why it is a bad idea to keep your betta fish in a glass bowl is not being able to keep the water clean. This is important because dirty water can be dangerous for your fish since it can lead to the growth of different bacteria and microorganisms that are harmful, to say the least. Unlike having your betta fish in an aquarium, in which a filter cleans out the water regularly, a glass bowl will have to be cleaned almost daily by you. This will ensure that the water is not stagnant and thus harmful to your betta fish.

2. Oxygen Concentration

Just like most living organisms, betta fish require oxygen to survive. Usually, oxygen dissolves in water that is exposed to the air because fishbowls have a small opening at the top, and there isn’t enough surface area for oxygen to dissolve in the water which can lead to the death of your beloved pet. You might think that you could just add an oxygen tank to your fishbowl, but because of the uneven surface, you won’t be able to do so. This is especially impossible to do if your bowl is small.

3. Installing a Filter

Filters can keep water in a fish tank clean for days on end. They are great because they keep your fish’s environment clean while at the same time removing the hassle of having to change the water every couple of days. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to install a filter into a fishbowl. A filter needs a smooth, even surface to hold on to using suction cups. The rounded surface of a fishbowl makes this extremely hard to do, and in fact, can turn into a very dangerous situation if the filter comes off the wall of the fishbowl with your betta fish inside.

4. Regulating Water Temperature

Bettas are tropical; this means they require a certain water temperature if you want them to thrive. Unless you live in an extremely warm climate all year round, you will need to have a heater that regulates the water’s temperature for your pet fish. You could install one in a fishbowl, however, the water will not be heated evenly and since there won’t be that much water, to begin with, it can get too hot for your fish to live.

5. Room for Movement

Imagine being stuck in a small cell with no room to move; doesn’t feel very nice, does it? Animals can also get anxious and depressed if they are left in a small space for any length of time. Fish need space to swim around and they do not have that in a fishbowl. Believe it or not, sometimes, fish get depressed and may even jump out of their bowl and die if it gets to be stressful for them.

6. Exposure to Different Dangers

Other than the fact that having a bowl with an open-top, unlike an aquarium, can enable your fish to commit suicide by jumping because of its dreadful life, it can also expose your betta fish to other dangers from the outside world. For example, if you are using an insecticide or cleaning with strong chemicals, they can get into the water and harm your betta fish.  

Based on these factors that are harmful to your fish, you can now make informed choices for their well-being. Taking care of your fish will bring you joy and will allow your fish to live longer. It might feel like an unnecessary investment, however, you will not regret ensuring your pet’s comfort and good health.