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A very kind, and well meaning relative purchased one of those Betta vases complete with a Peace Lily as a gift for me ---- due to my deep interest in fishkeeping.... Now I have the dilemma of finding a fish that might actually adapt to this type of environment.....
I realize that the vase will require FREQUENT water changes... and that the fish must be fed.... But I've heard that Bettas really don't do well... ???? ... So I'm wondering if there are ANY fish that might --- ??????
It's a one gallon vase --- and I've been toying with the idea of trying to put at least an airstone in if need be.... but a heater would be impossible!!!!
I've heard that glow fish might be a possibility - and they are available at my lfs.....
Does any one have any ideas? I don't really want to hurt this person's feelings by not using it --- but I don't want to harm any of my fish either......



To thine own self be true...

Did it come with a betta already or is it just a vase and a plant? If the betta's already in there, if you just remove the plant, a one gallon vase would be a good home for most male bettas. One of my boys lives in a vase that's just a little under one gallon because it's the only container he's ever liked living in- bulding bubblenests, displaying great coloration, ETC.

yup. The only time these setups don't really work for a betta are when the owner either doesn't feed the fish or change the water. You can keep a male betta quite happily in there, just change his water once a week, and he'll be thriving! You won't be able to fit a heater or a light in there, either, but as long as your house temp is constant and above 70 degrees or so, he will be happy.

i don't think air is needed.
basically, if i got it right, airstone merely adds "water surface area" by adding air bubbles to the tank (those bubbles have high surface area, and there are quite a few in any given time). i guess such a bowl have a good surface/volume ratio, meaning you probably don't need extra surface.

Betta's are labyrinth fish. They have an organ in their heads that allows them to get oxygen from the air. As long as he can get to the surface you won't need an airstone.

Have fun, Mike

Yeah, you're best off with just having a betta in that vase, if you're going to keep a fish there. An airstone might keep him happy, but as long as the plant doesn't cover up the top the betta can breathe fine.

Keep in mind that Bettas need to surface from time to time for air. Being Labyrinth fish, they cannot get enough oxygen through their gills. They have developed a labyrinth chamber which allows them to "breath" oxygen from surface. This organ evolved because the environments they lived in typically contained poor water quality. Too much decaying matter, algae, etc. So make sure the Betta can surface. They like plants underwater, but I can't imagine then living in those vases with a plant in them. I would think their access to the surface would be impeded. Plus some people have been known not to feed the Bettas because someone tells them that they can survive on the roots. This is absolutely false, Bettas need protein as they are carnivorous in nature. I have several Bettas and they are great fish to have!

-greg

I have been looking for a one-gallon vase for the longest time. Where would I find one?

When I bought my pair of bettas for breeding I wanted something to keep them in whle I was conditioning them. I went to Wal Mart and found some great bowls in the craft section. They were bigger than the bowls in the fish section and cheaper too.

Walmart has all types of betta vases and glass bowls that would work.. The only thing I'd put in them would be a single betta..w/out the plants they sell for those though. I put a little hornwort in mine. No air needed..frequent water changes.. I keep mine in the kitchen where it stays warm.