I used to always keep my Betta's in five gallon bow front acrylic tanks.

But to save time, I now have one of my Betta's in a large gallon bowl.

I know this can be a controversial subject, but he seems to be doing just as well after about a month. He is still really active, unlike the depressed Bettas who live in those TINY plastic cups in the store.

I was wondering what the main thoughts are from all who frequent this section of Koko's.

Do any of you think this is a bad way to go as long as the bowl is not too small?

And another question:

Currently I just have black polished river rocks in there. If I bought a plant at the store that would fit for the time being, do you think this would make him even happier? Or would the live plant take up too much oxygen in a 1 gallon bowl?

Thanks for your thoughts!

Sammie

i have mine in a bowl with a small filter, and he dosent seem to have any problems... althou he likes to play dead every now and then and freak me out...

I have a betta in a bowl, but it's about 5 gallon so it's a bit different.

In regards to the plant, I really don't know how it would effect oxygen levels, but it might be difficult to keep a live in such a small space. For one thing bowls rarely have lights and plants need lights. I use silk plants in my betta bowl. A lot easier.

Here's a pic of my bowl

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/lak342/bettabowl.jpg

I have five Betta's in one gallon jars with covers to keep them from jumping out. They each have their own jar just to clarify that. I do 100 percent water changes twice a week. They have no filters and they are kept in a room with a pretty constant temp of around 74.
They are all doing great. The oldest I have had since Jan. of this year. Before that I tried to keep them in five gallon bow front but it was just to much of a pain to do water changes and the fish just did not do well. So gave up on those.
I think the five gallon tanks are the best if you can keep up with the water changes. If I could have one closer to a sink Id try it again but I had one set up in my bedroom and two in the living room and they were all really had to get too.
With the one gallon jars I just pick up and more. So easy as pie. And they all have java moss in them for the Betta's to rest on.

oh about the oxygen levels: bettas get most of their oxeygen from the air, and plants produce about 7 times as much oxeygen as they take altou i have to agree that silk plants are WAY easier to look after.

yes 1 gallon unfiltered jars are o.k. if you are being dilligent with water changes every 2-3 days. I had a 2 gallon one once with bamboo plant in there. I had it on a end table with a table lamp over it for his light. The water just goes bad quicker with unfiltereed water in small containers. I have mine both in their own seperate 2.5 gallons minibows. The light left on in the hood keeps the water warm enough for them and I have the filter turned down low. They are doing great. So I would opt for one of the 2.5 gallon minibows if you want a small container

I think whatever makes the owner and fish happy, it doesn't really matter as long as water changes are done appropriately.

I have 1 betta in a 1/2 gallon tank, and another in a bowl around 1 gallon, I do a 100% waterchange once a week, and water is good and the bettas are happy as can be!

that size will do although you should be doing water changes more like every 2-3 days because the water in an unfiltered container that small can go bad quickly

I only change it more often if it needs to be changed more often, so far i've had no problems with once a week, water quality is always wonderful!

still I would make sure to test the water to make sure you amonia is not buiding up

dont worry, I take great care of all my fish and would never let that happen, trust me, if there was a problem with the water i'd be doing alot more waterchanges