Should Betta Be Kept In A Wine Glass?
Definitely No.
Among the prettiest of fishes, the betta or the siamese fighting fish, is often left holding the short end of the stick.
Because it’s a pretty hardy fish which thanks to its labyrinth organ can breathe from air as well, most people tend to think it does not require too much of space.
Normally in aquarium supplies shops, you will find the betta in small packets, where it can barely turn around, or in wine glasses/ tiny bowls, where it is it barely able to move. Most people will also try their best to convince you that betta does not require too big a tank, and instead, prefers a small container.
I disagree – my betta has a bowl to himself (he was originally in my community tank along with my other fish, but since they kept harassing him, and nipping at his fins, I bought him a bowl of his own), and he thoroughly enjoys swimming about. What’s more, stand near the bowl, and he’ll typically follow your moves.
In their natural habitat, bettas live in rice paddies in Thailand (Siam), which are huge expanses of water, where a male betta could have it’s own territory as big as a square metre (which quite suit the territorial betta). The paddies are a good 12 inches deep, and are weed choked with slow moving water. Hence, they are by no means used to the small pockets of water you sometimes see them in.
A healthy Betta will be colorful, have a healthy appetite, and is active and interested in what is going on around him. A listless, inactive Betta that has a poor appetite and/or frayed fins is a red flag that something is wrong in the environment.
Pic via here.
