I've had friends keep bettas in tiny bowls for over two years. Yes, they would have lived longer in larger tanks I'm sure but they were in bowls 5 times smaller than 2.5 gallon tanks so I'm sure if the were in those tanks they would have lived at least 3+. They're life expectancy, at least what I've read on betta forum stickies, is 3-6 years. I've had many, many customers tell me they've had bettas live for years in little one gallon bowls with weekly cleanings. I've had some tell me up to 7 years in small bowls. Older individuals (60+) who have no reason to lie. The people who seem to have the best luck use distilled water and I think the main reason the fish don't live longer is due to the fact that most don't use heaters or try to keep the fish above 78.

I've been poor most of my life and I find your statement a bit obtuse. How is one to invest without physically having the money to do so? I would love to be able to invest in better brands and products but if I only have 30 bucks in the bank how am I supposed to spend 50+? Not to get personal but I'm in school, working PT (80-125 a week) for just above minimum wage and have to share my fiance's car, pay two school bills, by food, gas, etc... 73 dollars is a ton of money in my eyes. I can't even afford to go see my mother in NJ. It's been nearly a year but I have no where to stay so now not only do I have to spend 200+ on a round trip ticket I'm going to need hundreds of dollars for a motel. How does one afford only the best? You could say "why does one without money have pets?" and I'd agree with you. But the frogs were given to me and I trust no one to care for them that I know personally. I am trying my best...

I totally agree with you that a larger tank is easier to maintain. I always tell customers this. But they're more expensive too... Even petco's dollar a gallon deal only covers the tank right? Not the hood/light, heater and filter? It's still going to cost me like 50+. Trust me, I want a larger tank but the fish seem fine and happy in my little tank. They eat, swim around and hang out. Unhappy fish don't eat. It's the frogs that started acting up. But they definitely seem to calm down when I turn the overhead lights off. They're not sluggish or anything and they eat without hesitation. I think the white mark is healing and was probably a wound from rubbing on the plastic when I had the lights on 10 hours a day. With the exception of one recent test that showed a small amount of ammonia (because I was over feeding, the frogs were not eating the leftover food, I feed a lot less now) all of my tests for the past couple of months have been very clean. 0 ammonia, 0 nitrates and <10 nitrates.

I don't think this is going anywhere . I appreciate your time and opinions and tips. I've considered all of your advice