Stop Betta Fish Cruelty in Pet Stores!

  • by: Chris Wolverton
  • recipient: U.S. State Veterinarians, United States Pet Retaliers

Many pet stores sell Betta fish (also called Siamese Fighting Fish) in small individual cups, bowls or vases with plants. The containers are often so small that the fish can't turn around or straighten out their fins. Due to their poor conditions and slow turnaround, their beautiful colors fade and customers often notice dead fish on display.

Customers have purchased Betta fish out of pity, but this only encourages further sales. Other customers believe that Betta fish may be kept in a tiny container with little or no maintenance. Some Betta fish are sold in vases with plants, and customers are led to believe that the fish can survive indefinitely by eating the plant's roots. Pet store employees don't always know the best ways to keep betta fish, and the animals are often treated as decorations for their entire lives.

Though betta fish are content to be alone, they should be kept in at least a gallon of water and fed brine shrimp or special betta food. Please sign the petition to stop pet stores from keeping betta fish in cruel conditions, and encourage them to educate customers on the best way to keep their fish.

We, the undersigned, are concerned with the poor treatment of Betta fish in many U.S. pet stores. The fish are often sold in small individual cups, bowls or vases with plants. The containers are often so small that the fish can't turn around or straighten out their fins. Due to their poor conditions and slow turnaround, their beautiful colors fade and customers often notice dead fish on display.


Because of the way fish are displayed, many customers think they may be kept in a tiny container with little or no maintenance. Some Betta fish are sold in vases with plants, and customers are led to believe that the fish can survive indefinitely by eating the plant's roots. Pet store employees don't always know the best ways to keep betta fish, and the animals are often treated as decorations for their entire lives.


Though betta fish are content to be alone, they should be kept in at least a gallon of water and fed brine shrimp or special betta food. Please end the practice of keeping betta fish in cruel conditions, and encourage pet store employees to educate customers on the best way to keep their fish. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider our petition.

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