Betta fish vases are one of the hottest fads in years. A Betta fish (also called a Siamese fighting fish) is kept in a vase along with a Peace Lily.
I admit they do look lovely. But are Betta fish vases safe for the fish who live in them?
I'm not an expert on Betta fish care, but I've spoken to people who are and they all told me the same thing. Betta fish vases are Not safe!
First, Betta's need room to move around so they don't tear their fins or scales. But a vase severely limits their movements. Also, Betta's thrive in water that is kept at 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Any colder than that and the fish will become lethargic and may stop eating. It's just not practical to regulate the temperature of a Betta fish vase.
Another concern is oxygen. While Betta fish do breath oxygen from fresh water, they also have a specialized respiratory gland that allows them to breath directly from the atmosphere. But in order to do so they need access to the surface. Vases are small and cramped, especially with a lily sticking out of it. If the Betta fish can't reach the surface, it may suffocate.
In other words, putting a Betta fish in a vase is like locking a dog in a cold, cramped shed in which it can barely move or even breath. The fish will be miserable and you can expect it's life span to be shortened significantly.
My advice is to steer clear of Betta fish vases and instead keep your fish friend in a nice roomy tank with clean, warm water.
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