Who Gives A Fish Forums

I've seen a lot of conflicting info about keeping bettas in bowls. Some say it's fine, others say it's cruel. What's the real deal? My bowl is about 1 gallon, no filter, but I do weekly water changes.

Bettas need more space than a bowl, honestly. They're active fish and thrive in at least 5 gallons with a heater and filter. A bowl just doesn't cut it for their long-term health.

Agree with starlit9. Bowls are sketchy for bettas. They need stable water temps, and bowls can't hold heaters well. Plus, no filter means ammonia builds up fast. Gonna stress your fish out.

starlit9 wrote: ↑Sat May 24, 2025 6:20 am Bettas need more space than a bowl, honestly. They're active fish and thrive in at least 5 gallons with a heater and filter. A bowl just doesn't cut it for their long-term health.

Yep, and smaller tanks are harder to cycle. Even with water changes, ammonia spikes can happen overnight. A 5-gallon tank with a sponge filter is way better.

I kept mine in a bowl for a year and he was fine. Just sayin'. But yeah, bigger is probably better if you can swing it.

Bowls are a no-go for bettas. They need horizontal space to swim, not just vertical. A 5-gallon tank with a low-flow filter and heater is the bare minimum for their well-being.

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll look into upgrading to a proper tank. Any recommendations for a budget-friendly setup?

Deepsea wrote: ↑Sat May 24, 2025 11:04 am Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll look into upgrading to a proper tank. Any recommendations for a budget-friendly setup?

Petco often has dollar-per-gallon sales. Grab a 5-gallon, a cheap sponge filter, and a 50-watt heater. It's worth the investment for your fish's health.

Bowls are whack for bettas, dude. They need space to roam and stable water conditions. A 5-gallon tank is the way to go, no question.

Even a 3.5-gallon tank is better than a bowl, but 5 gallons is ideal. Bettas are tropical fish, so a heater is non-negotiable. Without it, they're just surviving, not thriving.