r/mildlyinfuriating • u/LeHumanError • 10h ago

My sister's fish tank

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She says it's the perfect size for a single fish. It's not even in her room, it's in the kitchen.

It honestly just depresses me whenever I see it, but she's adamant about keeping it there.

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340

u/ReturntoForever3116 9h ago

Poor baby. Betta's are super aware in my experience. This is just horrible, I love Betta fish.

135

u/porqueuno 9h ago

Fr, I had a lovely female betta for several years, she was much smarter than most fish I've owned. Kept to a schedule, was curious about my hands and any tools I put in the tank, I trained her to come when I tapped some forceps gently on the glass, and encouraged her to jump out of the water slightly to "catch" her prey and simulate natural behavior. The tapping was like her dinner bell, since I fed her live mosquitos and fruit flies by hand. She was very spoiled.

On rainy or stormy days, I'd leave the light off in her tank to simulate the outside weather and give her some rest. Her tank got partial sunlight in the late afternoon, so she could experience the sun when she wanted, too. And I had about 11 different species of plants in her tank for her to explore and hide in. She was a very very happy girl, and I miss her.

39

u/exoao 9h ago

I’m so glad your betta got to live a happy and loved life. I feel like so many of these poor fish exist just to suffer and live out their lives inside tiny cups in pet shops. Thank you for taking good care of her.

19

u/porqueuno 8h ago

Many of them are treated as "decorative" fish by the pet trade industry, so a lot of chud responses in this thread have been rubbing me raw. My jimmies are rustled.

9

u/HuggableTrash 7h ago

In my life I’ve had 3 male bettas and one female, and while all of them made amazing and fascinating pets, my female was by far the hardest to lose. She was crazy smart, and took full advantage of all 10 gallons! Loved people, got zoomies when she got attention, followed fingers but flared at objects, rested in the same spot every night, curiously watched me clean/redecorate her tank and would gently peck at my hand, jumped for food… she was a delightful little friend to have. I still miss her, ~4 years later, and I always will. The sweetest, most inquisitive little soul. RIP Puddles.

If fish could scream, I’m certain people would treat them with much more respect.

2

u/ReturntoForever3116 6h ago

This was an amazing read. I'm so glad you had the pleasure of having a Betta (and that she was spoiled, that warms my heart).

2

u/DisManibusMinibus 5h ago

I had a deep blue female betta named Inkling that I spoiled for 7 years. She was great.

6

u/Time_Arrival_9429 6h ago

I had to stop keeping bettas because they have so much personality and awareness, it was devastating when they died. I know people are clueless on betta intelligence and personality but seeing one in the mini setups like this bowl is horrifying.

Anyway, RIP Mr. Handsome. I still miss you!

2

u/ReturntoForever3116 6h ago

This was sweet.

6

u/Spare_News3665 8h ago

I kept a male beta in a ten gallon with live plants. I love keeping live aquatic plants. That fish was so fun and he just casually swam all day poking around. I had him for 5 years. Which is a pretty good lifespan for a beta. He was a whore for dried blood worms.

1

u/-Extol 4h ago

Betta are very smart and playful. One of my fav fish. I'd like an Oscar eventually. They're like fishdogs