Betta World For Bettas

Advocacy for betta fish --- bettaworldforbettas.com    --- Tik Tok @bettaworldforbettas --- Instagram @bettaworldforbettas --- YouTube @bettaworldforbettas

[bettaworldforbettas]

Ask Aqueon to stop making under one gallon betta fish aquariums. 

Sign the petition

Sign the Petition

Aqueon, stop making under 1 gallon betta fish tanks

Their five betta fish starter kits range from 0.25 - 0.75 gallon per fish, and they're advertised as suitable environments. They create low quality conditions with no room for adequate heating or filtration.

Betta fish need at least five gallons, a filter, heater, and lots of environmental enrichment like plants and hiding spots. 

Aqueon's tagline is "it's all about the fish" but they have been deleting comments and silencing the voices of concerned fish lovers. They will probably continue to sell these as long as they can make a profit from them.

Please help raise awareness about these harmful Aqueon tanks.

[bettaworldforbettas]

Acrylic painting of Galaxy, a betta fish I adopted from a nearby fish rescue.

Adopting fish is an option worth considering. There are fish rescue pages and communities on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, and you may find a reputable rescue that is nearby.

Here's a link to a map of fish rescues in the US that are available for adoption and surrender. (This is not a complete list; please contact [email protected] for suggestions)

US Fish Rescues - Google My Maps

Fish rescues in the US available for fish surrender and adoption (not just for betta fish) Please contact with suggestions: bettaworldforbet

Additionally, community ad sites like Nextdoor, Craigslist, Adopt A Pet, and Petfinder may have listings of fish that are in need of a new home.

[bettaworldforbettas]

The city of Berkeley, CA made it illegal to award live fish as prizes in 2017.

I spoke with the individual who proposed the law, and we talked about ways that people could attempt to propose something similar in their own cities.

One of the intentions of the Berkeley ordinance was to serve as model legislation for other cities.

If you're interested in learning more about the law and ways that you could encourage your local government to adopt a similar ordinance, you can watch the full interview on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/79IP6THBavA?si=WBV-x804MqBIlQPl

The interview has a lot of useful information in general for how to engage with your local government and advocate for change in your community -- not just on this issue but with other causes as well.

If you think you might attempt this in your community or want to talk about it more please feel free to email: [email protected]

[bettaworldforbettas]

When betta fish are sold in tiny cups, many people assume that they do well in small spaces with minimal maintenance or equipment such as heaters or filters.

Tiny betta fish aquariums can only be profitable if consumers misunderstand the needs of betta fish.

Manufacturers like Aqueon, Marina, Penn-Plax Pet Products, and others are still making tiny betta kits -- some as low as 0.25 gal.

These companies are making money off of the suffering of bettas; they are profiting from the misconceptions that they perpetuate.

Betta fish are resilient and are capable of surviving in low-quality conditions.

Bettas should have an aquarium that is a minimum of five gallons, a heater, filter, and lots of plants and hiding spaces to create a stimulating environment.

Please sign the petition asking Aqueon to discontinue its under one gallon betta fish aquariums:

https://www.change.org/Aqueon-betta-tanks

Sign the Petition

Aqueon, stop making under 1 gallon betta fish tanks

[bettaworldforbettas]

What kind of existence is that?

This happens all the time at large chains like PetSmart and Petco where betta fish may die in transport or in tiny cups on the shelves.

It's not the fault of employees.

Betta fish are living beings and their lives should never have to depend on whether staff have the time or they get sold fast enough.

The corporate leadership of these chains is responsible for setting standards and policies, and for ensuring that the well-being of all pets in all of their stores is consistently prioritized.

These stores *consistently* have shelves of sick and dead pets.

[bettaworldforbettas]

Sign the petition asking Aqueon Products to discontinue its production of under one gallon betta fish aquariums:

https://www.change.org/Aqueon-betta-tanks

These tanks, ranging from 0.5 to 0.7 gal, are marketed as suitable environments for betta fish to live in. (The Betta Bowl Kit with divider is 0.5 gal or 0.25 gal per fish)

In these cramped spaces, there is no room for adequate heating, filtration, or swimming space. (Bettas need 5+ gallons.)

Aqueon continues to ignore fish welfare concerns, mislead consumers, and promote harmful betta fish environments for the sake of profit.

Sign the Petition

Aqueon, stop making under 1 gallon betta fish tanks

[bettaworldforbettas]

New aquariums need time to establish colonies of beneficial bacteria that will convert toxic compounds like ammonia and nitrite into less harmful compounds like nitrate.

When you add a fish to a tank, its waste and uneaten food break down into ammonia. If the aquarium is not cycled, there will not be enough bacteria to break down ammonia fast enough, and toxins will build up which is stressful and can even be fatal for fish.

This is often called “new tank syndrome” and can happen when fish are added to uncycled aquariums. It can take several weeks to cycle an aquarium before it is safe to add fish.

Please sign this petition asking Aqueon to stop manufacturing under one gallon betta fish aquariums:

https://www.change.org/Aqueon-betta-tanks

[bettaworldforbettas]

Betta fish are individuals, but they're treated like merchandise by large pet chains.

Why do stores like PetSmart claim pets are family and say that they'll do anything for pets when they regularly have shelves of neglected and sick pets at their stores?

It's not the fault of employees -- this is a pattern. It's a result of these companies not prioritizing the well-being of fish and wanting to spend as little money as possible so they can maximize their own profits.

[bettaworldforbettas]

Nitrogen cycle in aquariums

When an aquarium is cycled, there are colonies of beneficial bacteria established that help to filter waste and toxic compounds. 

Ammonia and nitrite are very harmful, but they will naturally occur when a fish is present (through fish food and waste). This is why it's important that there are enough bacteria established that can quickly consume and convert ammonia and nitrite.

In a cycled aquarium, ammonia and nitrite levels should be 0 and nitrate levels should be low. Regular water changes are still necessary for removing excess nitrates and maintaining water quality.

The process of cycling an aquarium can take several weeks before it is safe to add fish.

[bettaworldforbettas]

Why is Target selling this 0.5 gallon "aquarium"?

Target is promoting harmful pet products and misleading consumers. The 0.5 gallon Nature's Aquaponic by Penn-Plax is not a "healthy environment" for betta fish.

There's no space for bettas to swim, nor is there room for a filter and heater. Toxins accumulate rapidly in the low water volume, but the marketing of this tank gives people the (wrong) impression that the plants alone will sufficiently filter the water.

Will Target discontinue its sale of under one gallon betta fish tanks?

Target currently lists four under one gallon tanks on its website (all by Penn-Plax): 0.5 gal Nature's Aquaponic, 0.7 gal 3-1 Betta kit, 0.7 gal SpongeBob kit, and 0.7 gal Finding Dory kit.

Bettas need 5+ gal, a filter, heater, and lots of environmental enrichment like plants and hiding spots.

[bettaworldforbettas]

Fish depression

Fish behavior is affected by environment. Tiny tanks create low-quality, non-stimulating conditions for fish, and bettas can become lethargic and less curious about their surroundings.

Betta fish need at least 5 gallons, a heater, a filter, and a lot of things to interact with in their environment like plants and hiding spots.

[bettaworldforbettas]

Froggy's Lair biospheres are unhealthy environments for African Dwarf Frogs.

These tanks (which include two African Dwarf Frogs) are not even sold at pet stores; they’re sold at toy stores, flower shops, hardware stores, vape shops, and boutiques.

Even Petco advises a tank that is a minimum of 10 gallons for African Dwarf Frogs.

While this isn’t a betta fish product, it’s an example of how aquatic pets get marketed as easy entertainment and toys for kids. Profit is prioritized above animal welfare and consumers receive wildly inaccurate information about their care.

I’m collaborating with Aquatic Ally Organization and animal advocates to address the sale and production of these harmful Froggy’s Lair biospheres which are sold by retailers like Learning Express, Ace Hardware, Hallmark gift stores, True Value hardware, and more.

These biospheres have and will continue to attract negative attention.

Please sign this petition to learn more and call for an end to these 1/2 gal and 1 gal biospheres.

Sign the Petition

Ask the FDA to ban Froggy’s Lair “Toy Biospheres”

[bettaworldforbettas]

Betta fish need at least 5 gallons, a filter, heater, and lots of environmental stimulation like plants and hiding spots.

[bettaworldforbettas]

There's a growing frustration and awareness of the ways that betta fish are exploited by large companies for profit.

Many individuals and organizations have been pushing back against misconceptions about their needs and raising awareness of their neglect by large corporations where they are often treated as just merchandise.

(Bettas need 5+ gal, a filter, heater, and lots of environmental enrichment like plants and hiding spots.)

[bettaworldforbettas]

Aqueon manufactures these 0.5 to 0.7 gallon betta fish aquariums and advertises them as ideal long-term environments for fish.

Do you think Aqueon should stop misleading consumers by making these under 1 gallon betta bowl kits?

Betta fish need at least 5 gallons, a filter, heater, and lots of places to hide and explore.

These kits force betta fish to endure low-quality, non-stimulating conditions their entire lives while making consumers believe that they are providing their betta with an ideal home.

Please fill out the "contact us" form on the Aqueon website and ask that they stop manufacturing these under 1 gallon Betta bowls.

https://www.aqueon.com/about-us/contact-us

Or send them a direct message on Instagram (@aqueonproducts)

Aqueon's tagline is "it's all about the fish" 🤔

www.bettaworldforbettas.com

[bettaworldforbettas]

Why take on the responsibility of a pet fish if it's "just a fish"?

Bettas need at least 5 gallons, a filter and heater, and lots of environmental stimulation like plants and hiding spots.

Betta World For Bettas is a space to consolidate support, strategize about advocacy efforts, and demonstrate to manufacturers and pet retail

[bettaworldforbettas]

Pets shouldn't be surviving in our homes!

Bettas need 5+ gal, a filter, heater and lots of environmental enrichment like plants and hiding spots.

Betta World For Bettas is a space to consolidate support, strategize about advocacy efforts, and demonstrate to manufacturers and pet retail