Pet fish like goldfish are usually the staple pets for young children, as they aren’t yet fit to take care of “real” pets such as dogs or cats because they are “low maintenance.” The truth is that fish are only low maintenance with improper care. However, some fish seem to be taking center stage in pet popularity, taking on the the bulk of the mistreatment.

Betta fish, also the “Siamese fighting fish,” are some of the most common pet fish in the United States and other countries. Betta fish, ideally, should be situated in a 5-gallon tank or larger in order to act regularly, according to Dr. Krista Keller in this article. Decorations within a tank should not take up too much space for the same reason.

PetSmart is one of the leading pet stores in America, and while only visiting one of each isn’t nearly enough data for any study, current studies and evidence from each store is enough to make an educated guess on the state of fish in captivity.

These are fish in small containers within PetSmart’s Betta section. Some of these fish are unmoving, some of these fish are dead, and some days the dead fish will be left on this shelf for much too much time. 

Many people on forum sites or social media frequently share their stories of Betta fish being on the brink of death, dying shortly after being bought, or already being dead in store. A large amount of outrage has come forth because of PetSmart’s poor treatment of a beloved fish.

Other than boycotting stores, signing petitions, and raising awareness, there is little to really do about this mistreatment. There are things you can do to preserve your own fish, however. Recall that a bowl is just not enough for your fish. Betta prefer many plants and places to hide and explore, and male Betta fish should be situated without any other male Betta, as they can be extremely territorial and violent towards one another.

For more information about Betta fish, see this article, and remember to avoid buying fish from places like Petsmart or Petco, and instead look into smaller pet shops or online sellers such as AquaBid.