For starters, I am 26 and live with my parents. Now I know to many of you that sounds pathetic but give me a break I just graduated school and have been working part time for 4 years.

But that is not why I am writing this one. As you knwo I have two featherd girls that are not like pets to me at all but rather feathered kids. My mother has a westie who is like her fourth daughter and I don't consider to be like a pet either.

My friend keeps Goldfish and while I have never been into keepign goldfish I got sucked into the realm of betta fish as they are much hardier. I kept goldfish as a child in a 40 gallon tank and I was lucky if they lived a month. My friend's goldfish lived 8 hours after she won it at my church's fair LOL

Anyway, why on earth am I interested in getting a betta fish? Aren't I too old for more pets? I keep saying: "Oh it would be a great pet for the girls LOL" But the truth is I guess I would like to have more nature in my room.

My mother doesn't approve and I know that the whole family will make fun of me having a pet fish as I already have to birds who rule the roost. They will say "girls pushing 30 do not keep a lot of pets" or they will say "How old are you five?" (I hate it when they say I am pushing 30)

I was going to sneak one into the house and keep in in my room along with the birds cage. You dont' need a huge tank for a single betta do you?

Why should I do? Should I forget about it? Do any of you bird guys have a fish? Somthing about watching fish that calms the nerves. And I keep saying to myself, "At least I don't want to get another bird MBS would strike LOL"

Suggestions? Comments? Am I nuts?

Well I'm a good ways past 26 but I've been thinking about getting another betta for awhile now. I had one a few years ago but lost him in a house fire.

I think they're beautiful and always found it peaceful to just sit and watch him at times.

I don't know Jen, maybe you and I are just a couple of crazies (old crazy and young crazy. ).

I've had betta fish as well. And I'll tell you an easy way to get it into your room and your folks and siblings probably won't even realize that its there; and if they do...So what...

The big rage around here the past couple years in keeping a betta fish is to have it in a bowl, pitcher, vase or what ever Big enought to support it and a water loving plant that is placed in a secondary dish on the top of the "bowl" The roots grow through the container and into the beta bowl and the biproducts from the betta help keep the plant growing and the plant helps keep the water fresh and the betta will also be able to get nutirents from the roots as well as the little bit of food you'll need to feed him every other day or so. Pretty soon the roots will grow in such a way that the fish can swim in and around them and yet you can still see him etc. So in essence you're growing this plant hydroponically and they will be none the wiser if you don't say anything to them about it.

They don't need a heater or anything like that provided your room doesn't get too cold, and the little bit of food they require is pretty cheap and lasts a long time.

I had a mona loha plant in might with is really from the lily family and it gets a white flower on it. I'll bet if you go to the pet store that has betta's they'll even have the type of vases and saucer for the plant you'll need.

I do know they have the vases at "Michaels" stores and the dish is just a clear plastic saucer that you put under flower pots so they don't leak onto your funiture etc.


There really do have some beautiful Betta's out there now. Go for it girl!

I used to have 2 ,, in separate bowls of course. I had peace lilies in both of mine. Which i think is the same plant Connie is describing. Mine lived a long time. In fact i was just doing some cleaning in the pantry and just threw the remaining food away.

just so you know... i lived at home until i was 29 so i'm more pathetic than you LOL

about a month ago i bought a betta... it was a spontaneous buy while at Petco. Barry (the blue betta) is SO cute! i bought him a tank that was meant for 2 bettas (with a plastic divider) but i thought i'd give Barry a home for himself. i bought live plants for him to swim thru.

i keep him at work and i swear he knows my voice. when i get in to work i immediately say "Hi Barry! Are you hungry?" and he swims allll over the place!

Here's a good laugh for you. I am 55 years old and I bought a blue beta over 2 years ago. I keep him in the bathroom. I love him just like all my pets. I named him Skylar. He came with a peace plant, the plant died so I got another vase, I just switch the vases out every week. I keep the color stones on the bottom and have extra ones of those to. So I guess I am going thru my twenties again.

Congratulations on your Graduation. My daughter is Graduating with her Masters this August. I am so proud of her. She lived we us until this last November, she is 26 also. She left with her Quaker parrot (Spaz) and German Shephard dog (Keta). I think a beta fish would have been cheaper than the food bill for the German Shephard. I love her dog and all her pets. They are more than pets to our family also.

Good Luck
I love my beta

Pam & Peyton

ps. Peyton is my Quaker parrot

OK guys, top this! I'm 70 and I have a Betta. I did have a big aquarium with several fish but after many years, as they died now and then I just didn't replace them and finally took the tank down and just replaced the Betta. Every time I lose a Betta I replace it. I just like them, that's all!
If I can have a Betta at 70 just because I want one, I vote for you to have one at...pushing WHAT?????
I didn't say "pushing 30" now did I?

Pappagallo - Don't worry be HAPPY! You are talking about something I know about!
Before I became the accidental "New QP Dad", I kept Betta's and since January a Red Sea Max 34 gal. Marine Reef Aquarium.

Anyway, I have kept "Bubba Blue" a Crowntail Betta for almost 2 years now:



If you have a Michaels Craft Store nearby, then you will see that I keep him in an oversized (1.25 gallon) brandy snifter with glass beads on the bottom. I change his water weekly and STRONGLY recommend the "Hikari Brand" Betta foods and water maintenance products.

They are personable, pretty and easy to maintain.
New QP Dad

We have two male Bettas, they both live in the bathroom but in separate vases. We orignially bought the second one for our other bathroom but they just love having their tanks beside each other... I know it sounds crazy but they just look happier!

I know everyone equates Betta fish wish small vases etc. but after reading through a few things, I found out that that's kind of a myth and it's more of a decorative thing to have in your house. After reading Wikipedia and a Yahoo! group (called bettasplendens) I've discovered they can live a really long time with the proper temperature and tank size (which is really big IMO) Our two are both in big square vases with rocks and two bamboo shoots... and according to some sites their tanks are "too small" but I know they are much larger than the Betta tanks they sell in the pet stores! We've had both of them for almost two years now.

I want to get another Betta for another room in the house... I really want to get a female one (I have had a female before and they are just so cute! ) but I'm worried that she'll end up on the window ledge with the two males since she'll look lonely!

You might want to PM Angilla (RosaMystica7) I don't think she's been on in a while but she breeds them and knows A LOT about them!

I'll try to get some pictures of our two Betta's later!

I'd say go for it, other than cleaning their tank once a week they are basically no work! ... plus they are beautiful fish!

And there you have it .... ! 26 at home with another pet does NOT make you a loser!
At least you went to college .... I was out of the house at 17 and that's all I'm gonna say
BETA ... BETA ... BETA ... (chanting!)

I'm glad you posted that, Zena. Every time I go into a pet store and see those betta in little vases, or in plastic bags in a larger tank, I just feel SO sorry for them! How dull of a life it must be for them to be in such a small area with little or no environment. Yes, I know they are fish, but I've always been of the mind that you need a good size tank for any type of fish.

Btw, the first link didn't work (just opened up this thread), so I *think* this is the link Zena was trying to include: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siamese_fighting_fish Scroll down to the Living Conditions part.

As for whether or not you should get the fish, it depends. To be honest, you are still living under your parents' roof, therefor their rules. If they don't want you to have one, then perhaps you shouldn't get it. To go behind their backs would be disrespectful.

If they don't care if you get one or not, and you have the time to look after the fish, then go ahead.

Yes, the Peace Lilly is what I was referring to.

Granted Carrie has a point about being disrespectful in that the way I suggested you do it was being sneaky, But for crying out loud, your 26 years old... They need to cut you some slack, IMO. Its your room for crying out loud, Its not a pirahna or something dangerous, and it doesn't make noise. What's their real beef? Sigh.

I've had fish off and on since I was 5 years old and started out with goldfish, then went to guppies and just kept going, I just took my 55 gal fresh water tank down last fall to make room for ... you guessed it...MORE BIRDS

I guess my folks new I was an animal lover from the get go and as long as I took care of them and paid for them with my own money, they didn't care what I had in my bedroom as long as it wasn't poisonus or anything like that. However I moved out of my mom's house at 19 so I've been able to do what ever I wanted animal wise since then. But Lots and lots of adults have Betta Fish as you've already seen here. So its not like you're a baby or a little kid, and so what if you are...at least you're enjoying your life.

LOL connie. at one time i had 6 pirhana in my bedroom, in a 10 gallon tank. i miss having fish. the soft background noise of the filter, the soft light from the hood. sure they aren't very cuddly but hey, they are cheap. and at the time i had fish i lived at home and my mom insisted no animals other than our one dog. she relented.

and as far as 26 and at home... i was 25, still at home WITH my child, working at the mall. i joke that my parents moved 2 hours north because they knew i would never move out otherwise.

what is the reason you mom is against a fish? is she afraid you will never move out if you get more pets? does she think you will get overwhelmed financially or physically/emotionally? i know my mom gets creeped out by the feel of like hamster/gerbil feet, and she watched the hitchcock movie the birds way back when, so i understand her fears while at the same time think they are unfounded.

i don't think that people with many fids are immature/childish or otherwise "off" in any way. i just think they have a lot of love to give, and everyone benefits.

good luck.

kris

Opps! Thanks Carrie! I always check my links to make sure they work but was in a hurry and forgot! Thanks for posting the correct one... it's one of the best Betta/Siamese Fighting Fish links I've found, it's really detailed etc. Thanks!

LOL thanks guys. My mom wouldn't stop me but she just thinks I am crazy is all. She probably could care less.

I did my research on bettas and while I know I won't be keeping him in a large tank (I have no room) he would not be confinded in a little jar like they do in pet shops.

I love my parents and all but with all the craziness at home like them helping my sister and husband financially and my mother and I raising my niece. My other sis has a boyfriend and this guys is probably the one. So the family life centers around my two sisters and their lives. My family doesn't show much interest in my girls. I know they are not human but I don't consider them pets. They intelectually the closet things to people. We do a lot together like take showers, and do work at the computer.

I love my parents and feel close to them if you say it's the three of us, but when you have the whole family in the mix, I sometimes feel as lonely and left out (this is not my reason for getting a betta). The girls are my family. I went as far as to make them an interactive audio CD for my mother to play for them while I am away in cape cod(I am going by myself and the gals are staying with their Nanna).

I would never disrespect my mother but I am over 18 and just thinking of bringing home a fish, not going out to get drugs or something. I really think the girls would like an acquatic friend too.

Well Jennifer after reading all of this, I've begun to think I want a betta also....I just may check it out.....Lets go get Bettas Jen and we'll give them a name also....
And I'm just a young chick with the idea to get me one and I'm not 26 either.... So age is no factor when you start talking fish---look what you just did for me....

Hi Jennifer, my husband is 54 and he brings home a new fish every week. Wednesday he will be getting 2 baby seahorses that will require yet another tank (we already have 5) for quarentine. So your obsession could be worse. Beta's are cool fish, my son had one when he was younger... Data the Beta, he lived thru a divorce, remarriage and a wicked ice storm no power for 5 days and his water simi froze! We put him next to the fire and bingo Data lived.

I know you dont want to disrespect your parents but a little fish really would not be a big chore to care for. Just dont branch out to saltwater reef tanks cause we cannot leave our home without a "trained" fish keeper.

Well, my mother seems to have excepted that I am getting a betta. She probably think I am weird but she is not stopping me.

Thanks for all the advice and support everyone!

I don't think your to old to get a new pet. Best of luck~!

Oh, get a betta. I have FIVE. Actually, I have five aquariums up and running. There are two that are empty, but five aquariums, two cats and SweetPea the QP is plenty.
Bettas are wonderful first fish. They can survive in cups and vases and other small "containers" because they are labyrinth fish. They have an organ in their head that enables them to get oxygen from the surface of the water. That is not to say that they would be unhappy in larger quarters, just that they can survive in cups.
I am not fond of the betta in a vase with a plant thing. I think that the betta would do much better with regular water changes - fresh, clean dechlorinated water is always a good thing. They can live up to five years if cared for properly and I think that MOST (not all) people that do the betta/plant vase thing tend to completely forget about the betta until it's too late.
I have 3 male bettas living in their own little tanks with little filters and little heaters. Bela Betta in a 2.5 gallon, Aloysius Fish in a 2.5 gallon, and Zubin Betta in the palatial 5.5 gallon. I also have 2 female bettas - Elizabeth and Christine - that live in my 56 gallon community tank with pearl gouramis, rasboras, corydora catfish and one yoyo loach. All my tanks are pretty heavily planted with live plants. The bettas especially love to wiggle up into the floating water wisteria to snooze.
I love bettas. They are beautiful, fun, smart and have a lot of personality.
Go get a betta. You won't be sorry!

Pappagallo - I am such a soft touch! When I go into a Petco or other pet store and see the Bettas in their little cups on the shelf, I almost feel like I am rescuing them by purchasing one of them!
As a professional dog trainer and working as a volunteer at 2 Humane society shelters 10-15 hours a month.... I have to resist adopting 2 -3 animals a month!
Check out these Betta Beauties: http://stores.ebay.com/Miami-Aquariums_Bet...2QQftidZ2QQtZkm
New QP Dad

Well, it has been over a week and I finally got a betta fish for the girls and me. I don't know if the girls have noticed yet LOL.

Anyway, he is a black crown tail betta but when the light hits you see all the pretty blues on him. He has a lot of definition. His name is Finnegan or Finnigan? How do you spell it? LOL

He is very pretty and I am going to video tape the girls with him today after I service there cage!

LOL Jennifer... I'm 23 (24 on Thursday) and I have TWELVE parrots, TWO cats, and a snake!

You're not nuts! (Though I'm pretty sure that I am....)

LOL, I remember my sister wanted a snake!

QUOTE (New QP Dad @ Jun 27 2008, 01:39 AM)

Pappagallo - I am such a soft touch! When I go into a Petco or other pet store and see the Bettas in their little cups on the shelf, I almost feel like I am rescuing them by purchasing one of them!
As a professional dog trainer and working as a volunteer at 2 Humane society shelters 10-15 hours a month.... I have to resist adopting 2 -3 animals a month!
Check out these Betta Beauties: http://stores.ebay.com/Miami-Aquariums_Bet...2QQftidZ2QQtZkm
New QP Dad

Very Very pretty and thank you for sharing those pretty fish!

QUOTE (Pappagallo @ Jun 27 2008, 12:55 PM)

Well, it has been over a week and I finally got a betta fish for the girls and me. I don't know if the girls have noticed yet LOL.

Anyway, he is a black crown tail betta but when the light hits you see all the pretty blues on him. He has a lot of definition. His name is Finnegan or Finnigan? How do you spell it? LOL

He is very pretty and I am going to video tape the girls with him today after I service there cage!

Congrats and I hope you enjoy your new family member~!!!!

Congratulations! Be careful... keeping fish can be addictive!

Believe it or not but my quakers Tiki Quakey and my new little baby Kiwi have their own pets Mommy that's me here got them 2 Baitta Fish and they have a Clown Fish--they named him NEMO from the movie they love that movie it's one of their favorites and we have it on video to as well along with favorite Elvis movies and they love the Peguin movie Happy Feet. well just thought we'd share our little story here o.k. Mommy Carol Tiki Quakey and our new little Kiwi

you're funny

I too had a Betta. It died last year. I keep looking at them in the Pet Stores and say to myself "Should I get another one?""Do I want to clean out the bowl every three days?" (More Work) then I walk away. They are lovely to watch though. Go for it!

Get this- I'm 22..

I own, 2 dogs, a Hahns macaw, 2 parrotlets, 2 parakeets, 2 turtles (I'm like Noah's Ark here). A 30 gallon salt water tank, a 10 gallon planted dwarf puffer tank, and a 5.5 divided planted betta tank for my two little guys.

I love bettas. I love their colors. I love their attitudes. My Lucas and Mouth get pellets every day. But when they see me coming with the blood worms I SWEAR they get SUPER excited! They KNOW!
I personally hate when people keep them in those tiny cups. They are so much more beautiful when allowed to actually swim. I stared keeping my first betta in a 1/2 gallon tank. The thing barely swam and was miserable after like a month. They were both in 1.5 gallon tanks until about a month ago. I bought a 5.5 gallon tank, giving them about 2.75 gallons of swimming space They love the real plants too! My older betta is 3 years old. My younger one is only a year... I adore them!

My parents don't encourage zoo keeping. But as long as I take care of them and don't expect my parents to contribute.. they could care less! lol... they come down for a visit to the zoo!

Good luck!

Fish are fun. And if you get a small (2.5 gal) aquarium with a little filter to circulate/oxygenate the water you can just change out half the water once a week. And it is lovely to have a betta with room to swim and things in the tank to snooze on...

my girls harped at me for guinea pigs! so off we went to the pet store and bought two babies... husband made cage etc.. i sat there and watched them play and cuddle... so i said right! get in the car... back to pet shop bought myself one!!! and that was the same with our betta fish!! the girls got one each and i bought my self a beautie he is a pale pink fish with blue and red in his tail absolutely beautiful!! and my age.... well just turned forty!!! its your body that ages not your soul!!
and of course there is maxi the weimaraner ,and tobi the quaker !!!

hmmm, so I see we are all Betta lovers...

I had a Betta called Bruce, beautiful blue boy with great fins. I felt sorry for him in a small jar-like thing he was in so I bought him a 30L tank and he loved it...then winter came and he started to get sluggish so I decided that I needed a bigger tank so I could heat the water for him. Bruce ended up in a 2 foot planted tank that looked fantastic. He was a very interactive fish and I hand fed him everyday. I added a couple more fish and they didn't get along too well so I bought them a different tank...At one time I had 4 tanks (all in my bedroom because I was living with my parents at the time)...Bruce lived 3 years (life expectancy is about 1-2 years) so I figured he had a good and happy life and my God I was devastated...I ended up spending well over $200 on a fish I paid $10 for, but Bruce was worth all of it. I love Bettas!

hmmm, so I see we are all Betta lovers...

I had a Betta called Bruce, beautiful blue boy with great fins. I felt sorry for him in a small jar-like thing he was in so I bought him a 30L tank and he loved it...then winter came and he started to get sluggish so I decided that I needed a bigger tank so I could heat the water for him. Bruce ended up in a 2 foot planted tank that looked fantastic. He was a very interactive fish and I hand fed him everyday. I added a couple more fish and they didn't get along too well so I bought them a different tank...At one time I had 4 tanks (all in my bedroom because I was living with my parents at the time)...Bruce lived 3 years (life expectancy is about 1-2 years) so I figured he had a good and happy life and my God I was devastated...I ended up spending well over $200 on a fish I paid $10 for, but Bruce was worth all of it. I love Bettas!

And as for having lots of pets, my partner always says to me that I've got a lot of love to give, and I think that's true of everyone on this forum...more pets -bring it on