Quote Originally Posted by missi182 View Post
Last time I had live plants my beta over ate and died!! He got really really fat then went belly up All he ever did was eat and the roots of the plant slowly disappeared. I have also heard that betas breath from the surface more than through the water, but I could be wrong. The vases are 1.5 gallons. I don't mind the water changes too much. But thanx for the tip! I have thought that myself before.
You are correct!
Betas are the most abused fish out there. I've said it before I'll say it again.

They have an upturned mouth because they breathe just like goldfish, through the surface of the water.

It's a warm tropical fresh water fish, needing at least 5 gallons of water. The vases are a death trap. The roots provide no nutrition to the fish, and the little to zero oxygen exchange takes the life of these amazing beautiful hardy creatures.

They need warm water, little current and very clear water with frequent water changes just like the next fish.

Keeping them in a vase, with a plant is abuse in my opinion. Best to keep them in a 10 gallon, with a water heater, slow current, filters, just like you would for any other tropical fish.

Don't buy them from petsmart or other pet shops that keep them in little cups. They are usually inflicted with diseases like fin rot, ich and other crap.

Bettas should be lively, with nice full plumes, full color and swimming often.

If you buy a nice betta from a breeder, it would put all the others to shame and make you wish you had never bought those other ones.