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This has probably already been asked, but, my daughter bought me one of those jars with the plant in the top and a betta in it. Is this really an ok environment for these fish?

No its not. Bettas are labyrinth fish which means they also need air to breathe. They must be able reach the surface of the water. Alot of times in the vases with plants, they can't get to the top of the water.

I suggest going to the pet store and getting a 2.5g or 5g fish tank. Bettas will be fine without a filter, as long as you change the water every few days. They will also be ok without a heater, but I would get one anyways. That size fish tank is much better for a betta.

If you have a Walmart nearby, they have small fish tanks for pretty low prices. If you can find a 10g kit, that would be even better because it comes with a filter. That would allow you to make fewer water changes.

*Kristin*

Also, make sure you feed the betta food. I know that for awhile people were being told that they would just eat roots...

Inky

depends. they do have enough room, but the way u set it up can lead to problems.

if you follow the directions, than most of them are wrong,

simply just fill the vase with water(after you clean it, like a reg fish tank) and let the betta live in their, with no plant or gravel. plain.

the major factor is the top, the plant doesn't allow the fish to have air, or food, and the directions usually say that the betta will eat the root, which in some cases it will, but that is only b/c they are starving.

and change the water once a week.

I've seen some of those plant vases with Bettas where the container wasn't more than 3 or 4 inches across. I certainly hope they are meant as merely a gift presentation device and no one would seriously think about keeping a fish in there for any length of time. I suppose the larger ones have their place if they are well maintained.

PetSmart carries a number of reasonably priced smaller tank kits. My Betta currently resides in an Eclipse 3 gallon bowfront tank that I purchased there. His previous home was a 2.5 gallon hex tank which cost about $30. The 3 gallon was $50 which included the tank, the filter and a fluorescent lamp. The light and the filter are built right into the hood itself and it is incredibly quiet. It's never had a heater but seems to hover between 72 and 76 degrees F without one. For another $10 or so you can get everything else you need...gravel, plants, maybe even a piece of "fish furniture."

Good luck!

o very true, didn't think about the different sizes. i get mines from michaels craft store, and they tend to be around 1.5 gallons.

cheaper than a lfs anyway.

I think that if you do move the fish into a bigger and better tank that a heater really should be put in the tank. Although they can survive in quite cold conditions, as they are a hardy fish, they still like the water temperature to be around 24 - 30 degrees Celsius (75 - 80 degrees farenheit) and will be much more active with heated water.

Thanks for the input. I was pretty sure it wasn't that great.

I do have a 46 gallon Bowfront tank with the following in it:
3 zebra danios (1 in each)
3 long finned golden danios (1 in each)
1 rainbow fish (2.5 in)
1 opalescent gourami (2.5-3 in)
1 bala shark (3 in)
1 plecos (5-6 in)

What about putting him in with them?

the bala and pleco will need a larger tank as i am sure u already know.

i wouldn't adda betta(long fin) in a community tank due to the current, balas are skittish and faster and can cause problems for the betta.

You can get a 4 betta barracks, take out the dividers and pop him in that Its not a great deal of swimming space, but its protected, great water quality and warm

Alternately a breeder box in that tank would do, just make sure it has a lid

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

I suggest a totally new tank for the little guy. That way he won't end up in a vase, a tank with uncompatible fish or a Betta Barrack. Maybe a 2 gallon tank would do him some good, and if you want to place a filter in, try using a sponge filter. They work quite good without much current, but be careful because some do disturb the surface and may give your Betta friend trouble to breath.