Forget Everything You Thought You Knew About Betta Fish
In nature, betta fish live in streams and marshes that stretch for miles, within ecosystems that include multitudes of plants and other fish. In captivity, they are often kept alone in tiny cups of water. Many die alone in these plastic cups.
Myths:
1. Betta fish are good “starter pets.”
2. Betta fish have to live alone.
3. Betta fish can live in a vase with only a plant for sustenance.
Facts:
Betta fish are intelligent fish who require complex care, including a high-protein diet, a gentle filter, specific water temperatures, hiding spots, broad leaves to rest and build bubble nests, regular mental stimulation, and at least ten gallons of water.
But at Petco and other stores that traffic animals, they’re confined to cramped plastic cups with just inches of water. They’re often found dead and floating in dirty water on the shelves.
PETA’s investigations of animal traffickers have uncovered appalling neglect of betta fish even before they reach stores. They’re often starved for several days during transport and confined individually to small bags that are stuffed into boxes stacked up high in massive wholesale warehouses. Many die before and during transport to retailers, as they’re shipped across the country. Industry insiders have confirmed this system is common practice for some retailers.
You can help betta fish! Take the 5 actions below to urge Petco to do the compassionate thing and stop selling betta fish!
Leave a comment on Petco’s social media pages to spread the word that betta fish are suffering.
Call the company’s headquarters at 1-877-738-6742 (press 5) and voice your concerns about the suffering of betta fish at the chain.
Use Petco’s contact form to politely urge the company to stop selling live animals, including betta fish. Visit Petco’s website and click the “Feedback” tab on the right-hand side of the screen.
Order PETA’s “Betta Fish Deserve Better” patch and wear it on your shirt, jacket, bag, or anywhere else where it can catch someone’s eye, or a pack of PETA’s betta fish leaflets to leave on community bulletin boards, bookstores, little free libraries, or anywhere else people may find it.
Take action on PETA’s Action Alert targeting Petco for selling animals, including betta fish and other lives they describe as “desk pets.”
Finally, never shop anywhere that sells live animals. Check out 13 stores that sell companion-animal supplies but not live animals.
Thank you for your compassion for animals.
