Beta, tell me this isn't true!!!!

[chocolatepuppy]

Just googled this...

Lifespan:

Bettas live an average of 3 years, and can live up to 5 years. The ones sold in pet stores are usually adults, so they have the nice long fins, but that also means that they are already a year old when sold. That means that if you have a betta for more than two years after you buy it, it's a nice, long-lived fish.

[king2005]

Just googled this...

Lifespan:

Bettas live an average of 3 years, and can live up to 5 years. The ones sold in pet stores are usually adults, so they have the nice long fins, but that also means that they are already a year old when sold. That means that if you have a betta for more than two years after you buy it, it's a nice, long-lived fish.

good.

[chocolatepuppy]

Glad you can relax about this Jess. I also have a female that I've had 2 1/2 yrs and a male I've had 2 yrs. The rest are younger.

[flamepony12]

They should be absolutely fine without a heater as long as the room they're in has a temperature that's fairly steady.

[jackie]

They should be absolutely fine without a heater as long as the room they're in has a temperature that's fairly steady.

Exactly what I was going to say.
I don´t think you have mush to worry about unless you have a very very cold house.

[king2005]

I just got upset because of what the person on the other board said. She said without the heater their hearts beat faster & then they die younger. In my opinion thats crulety!

[IRescue452]

Actually, colder water has more oxygen. If you want to have a heater with any fish you must also have something to agitate the water. If you put a strong filter in they might be bothered or injured by it. If you put an airstone in it would be ok, so long as they have plenty of space to get away from the bubbles. I've had bettas live to old age and I don't use a heater. The person on the board is uneducated, its like somebody who says that a dog is aggressive when its growls in play and tells a person to stop playing like that, its best to ignore these people or try to calmly educate them.

[My Peanuts]

Here's some food for thought, my betta RB Drew lived without a heater and when I bought him one he died. The water wasn't too hot and I just think it was his time to go. Btw, my betta lives in a 5 gallon mini bowl.