Why do stores keep Betta fish in small containers?

(08-17-2012, 09:59 AM)dashboardc33 Wrote: I'm not sure that they should be kept in a small container for their entire life,

It is a sure thing that no fish can be kept in small container and live through their "entire life". They will die to ammonia poisoning and/or unstable water temperature in just a few days to a few weeks at most.

Even in small tanks like 1~3 gallon fish "tanks", fish tend to die rather quickly because these undersized containers can't really be called fish tanks. The smaller the tank, the harder it is to keep the water temperature, PH, etc. at stable level.

It is recommended to have minimal 5 gallon of water for a single betta fish for the water stability issue, as well as the room for install filter and heater systems. The tank also must be cycled or the ammonia will kill the fish for certain.