Scientists have found that those small fish bowls make your competition painful.

Are those jewel-colored Siamese fighting fish swimming in tiny containers in pet stores? According to new research, which challenges decades of retail practices in the global ornamental fish industry, they are actually silent.

A study published on animal welfare on December 23 found that Betta Splendens stored in small jars showed significant differences compared to larger jars compared to larger jars Small natural behavior and more signs of stress.

The study, led by Professor Culum Brown of Macquarie University, shows that it is common practice to keep these popular aquarium fish in small 1.5 liters (about 0.4 gallons) containers, showing that it is common to keep these popular aquarium fish in small 1.5 liters (about 0.4 gallons) containers Severely limits its natural behavior.

“Current guidelines on appropriate tank sizes for beta fish are more vague than other fish welfare issues and are more concerned about water quality,” Brown said. Brown conducted a detailed behavioral observation of male Siamese warfishes of various tank sizes.

The space for fish to move

The researchers studied 13 male Siamese species in five different housing conditions, ranging from tiny 1.5-liter jars to 19.3-liter aquarium (about 5 gallons) with or without environmental enrichment, such as plants and hiding sites. .

The challenge they found was to showcase the extensive retail practices of bettas in small containers. The active time of fish stored in larger tanks was significantly higher compared to the jars, with an average of 92 seconds of swimming during the observation period. They also exhibit more natural behaviors, such as foraging.

The study found that Bettas in small containers spent more time “hovering” – behaviors that researchers were considered potentially abnormal when they were not related to nest construction. The fish also engages in stereotyped swimming patterns, with repetitive behavior similar to pacing in zoo animals with under-infined zoo animals.

“These results show that small, barren jars and tanks that Siamese warfish often accommodate are not conducive to their welfare, and larger furniture storage tanks are more optimal,” the researchers wrote in the paper.

Not just space

The complexity of tanks is equally important to the health of fish. When giving furniture storage tanks filled with gravel, plants and hidden spots, Betas spent nearly half of the rest with these features instead of hanging them in open water.

In poor storage tanks without enrichment, even large storage tanks, the fish will show more abnormal behavior, including hovering, stereotypical swimming, and excessive interaction with tank walls.

“These animals make sense and we need to improve their lives,” said Professor Brown. He emphasized the scientific understanding that fish have impressive memory, cognitive abilities and the ability to feel pain.

From Thailand to your living room

Siamese fish is one of the most popular aquarium pets in the world. Thailand alone exports only more than 20 million individual campaigns to countries such as the United States, China, Singapore, France and Iran every year.

The study was conducted in Singapore, which has been a major exporter since the 1980s, and fish preservation is a popular hobby. These findings have global implications, as the practice of keeping Bettas in small containers globally is common.

The team recommended that the minimum tank size reach 5.6 liters (about 1.5 gallons) to display and sell Siamese warfish and provide larger tanks for pet-preserved storage tanks. All tanks should contain gravel, plants and shelters to allow for more natural behavior.

Personal personality

Interestingly, the study also revealed that individual beta have different personalities. Some fish show higher levels of stereotypical swimming, while others rarely show this behavior. Some prefer to rest with plants, while others use different areas of the tank.

This personality suggests that owners should focus on their specific fish preferences to create the most appropriate environment, especially with regard to hidden points and tank characteristics.

Call for changes

This study challenges current industry standards and pet management practices that typically prioritize aesthetic and spatial efficiency compared to animal welfare.

Although many countries have laws governing companion animal welfare, fish are often ignored in such regulations. Singapore’s current “Pet Shop License Conditions (5) Display and Sale of High-end Fish Act” states that “the fish must be kept in a tank of sufficient size” but does not specify what constitutes “sufficient”.

The findings show that regulators and consumers need to rethink what constitutes the right housing for these smart, colorful fish that have become fixtures for homes and offices around the world.

For current and potential beta owners, the message is clear: these fish need not only decorative bowls to thrive. Giving a larger tank for plants and hiding places is not only a nice extra, it is crucial for their mental health.

As our understanding of fish cognition and welfare continues to evolve, the tiny “beta bowls” that have been a pet store staple for decades will soon become a thing of the past – instead a more spacious, richer environment, Excellent fish that can better meet these needs.