Animals and Computers

[kitune]

Not directly related, other than that both amuse me.

Comments

PSA

[lisaf]

(bettas can breath air for short periods)

Actually, that's how they breathe. Bettas are a wacky exception - they actually breathe air from the surface, not through gills. So, if you have a tank or bowl where they can't reach the surface, they will actually drown.

Re: PSA

[kitune]

Cool, thanks.

Re: PSA

[purplerecluse]

they actually breathe air from the surface, not through gills.

Wait - what about those mini "ecosystems" that come with betas? They're usually a plant with roots hanging down into the water with the beta underneath. Like this one:

Also, several sites indicate that betas do have gills - they can "flare" them. However, all indicate that they can breathe air from the surface (via a gill-like organ called the "Labyrinth), and several sites indicated that they can get oxygen from water. Here's a kind of goofy, but decent article:
http://www.bettatalk.com/betta_anatomy.htm

Re: PSA

[lisaf]

*shrug* I could totally be wrong. That's just what I remember being told by somebody who actually knows about fish (unlike me). :-)

Re: PSA

[kitune]

I've heard that those little bettas in a vase like the one you posted aren't actually a good idea. The bettas aren't going to eat feed off the plant, (bettas eat worms and insects) and isn't getting any real benefit from it. Instead as the water gets dirty and the betta eventually dies because there is nothing to eat. You can keep it in there if you treat it like any other fish bowl and change the water regurally, but an actual fish bowl without the plant in the way is better.
http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/qa/f/faq0004.htm