Experience using betta fish in centerpieces?

Those vases are awesome! I will have to look around for something similar. I'd like to find some just a tad bigger so the betta has a bit more room.

Unfortunately we are not paying someone else to set up, aside from food, so I am already worrying about everything for our wedding day. If I wasn't setting up fish that morning it would just be some other hassel. I disagree that it is a burden for guests as I have had THEM asking ME if they can have one. I would certainly never push one off on someone who doesn't want want. Please don't assume I would ever make my guests feel obligated to take them.

To me it is self righteous to expect someone else to live by your beliefs. And it appalls me that most of these people probably own pets, are not vegans, wear leather, etc and believe that well cared for fish as decoration is cruel. I did not intend to offend people who do not agree with me, however, I did not want this thread to turn into an argument on the morality of using fish in deco

My beta has lived for 2 years in a vase with some bamboo and no filters etc....i have had the same container of food for almost a year now....i dont see how it could be SUPER expensive for betas that dont really need fancy tanks and filtration systems? but in response to the OP I havent seen this personally but my beta has lived for almost 2 years now, and if you already have most of your fish claimed Id say go for it...its really cute idea. what kind of containers are you doing and what are you planning on doing with the fishies?

I've got a little betta too and I love him. =) He came in one of those tiny cups and once I put him in a larger tank he started swimming around a lot more. I would be depressed too if I had to live in an 8oz plastic cup.

For containers I'm still looking for something big enough for them to have lots of room, I don't want them to feel too cramped since I know they like space to swim. If the vases are big enough, the guests can take them home along with the fish. I will probably transport them all in the original containers they were purchased in and those can be used for the guests to take them home as well. I wouldn't want to give those away as the homes because they are so tiny.

One thing I'm worried about is the fish jumping out of the vase during dinner since bettas are jumpers. I don't want to cover the water since they like to breathe air from the surface.... Maybe a fresh flower on top?

Beta's like fresh plants, check with the place you are getting the Beta to find out what kinda plant would be best. They feed off the plant. My sister moved in a hurry one time, she left her house and most of her things behind. She was really upset and forgot her beta. She was 600 miles from it. She went back two months later and the beta was still alive. I guess it was feeding off the plant. She took it home with her and still has it 2 years later.

You should leave them in a baggie with the water they come in, and put the baggie into the bowl for a few hours first before putting them in the bowls directly. Otherwise if there is a sudden temperature difference between the two containers the fish might die of shock(some will make it fine but some will die). You can't just dump fish into a new batch of water a few hours before the ceremony. If you plan to do this, I really hope you plan to do everything right.

I find your comment about being self-righteous when you care about animal cruelty insulting. I do happen to be a vegan, I don't wear leather or fur, and I don't use products that are tested on animals. I don't see anything wrong with sticking up for animals and I don't believe I am being self-righteous as you put it. I don't expect you to live by my beliefs, but I still think its cruel and I would be appalled if I went to a wedding with fish being exploited as centerpieces.

That being said, if I was sitting at a table with a dead fish, I would be grossed out. I don't know how wild the crowd is that you are inviting, but it would be awful if some of the drunk guests decided it would be a good idea to eat one of the betas as a bet or to be funny. If I didn't think it was cruel, I still don't think it would be worth it.

Before committing to that, check with your venue to see if they allow it. I originally wanted goldfish but my venue said no.

I think your idea is pretty cool. And far from boring. Ive seen some boring centerpieces posted and your idea is different and fun. Those fish are very pretty and as you said the least sensitive. I think you should go for it. And you know your guest the most if you think the majority of them will like the fish idea then do it. Its just a fish they mass produce.. Hey one dies replace it. I like to see what you come up with Im sure it will be very pretty and no boring at all..

I don't think it matters if you are vegan. You can believe using animals for essentials like food and clothing is ok and still be against using them for decorations.

Also, not agreeing with another person's choices does not make you self-righteous. I personally do not agree with murder. Does that make me self-righteous?

It's more hassle than it's worth. 1. Not all your guest will take them home. It's an assumption so you will be responsible for all those fish (that btw, really can't go in the same tank together). 2. Bettas are sensitive, so the reception may give a few of them too much of a startle and scare them to death. My friend did this for a small party and was left with 5 bettas to take care of because no one wants to take them home.

Ok, I know I won't win anyone over on the idea that doesn't like or believe in it in the first place, you won't change my mind either. That is fine, I'd rather not continue debating as I said in the original post I want to hear from people who have done it already. Thanks for the concern about the fishies though. If it makes you feel any better they will be well cared for.

With that said.... does anyone have any actual experience they can contribute?

My aunt didn't it.. she didn't have to take any fish home. Each found a nice home. The one my mother took him lived quite a while ^.^ I don't think it's a bad idea, but know that any sounds from table bumps or people poking at the glass WILL stress the fish out and too much may lead to death.

Personally, if i attended a wedding and there was a live fish in the centerpiece, i'd feel really uncomfortable. so many chances for careless people to either harass them, knock them over, put something in their bowl. the loud music, the lights, the jostling around.

it would actually make me totally unable to relax if i was a guest. maybe i'm a weirdo, but i'm sure i'm not alone in feeling that way.

We had betta fish and it was huge success! and every little guy went to a good home afterwards.

I am also doing the beta fish center pieces i think it is a great idea guest will take them home at the end of the night. mine will be in the vases pictured above with black stones and a purple led light in them and a peace lily on top i am not into flowers and don't want candles (to many kids lol)my fmil did gold betas for her parents 50th ann. and they were beautiful the only thing is if you want all the fish a certain color you have to pre order them.

Let me add more details...we bought 'large' vases from family dollar and ordered our 17 bettas from petland. We got married on a Sunday and picked up our little guys on a friday. The pet store was aware of what we were using them for and 'filled' their bags with air . We put them in the vases Saturday Afternoon and gave them some time to 'adjust' and mellow. And then we took them to the venue (neatly packed in the box the vases were shipped in) Saturday evening and the venue put them out. It was a huge success. no fish was "harmed" or "harassed". it took people a little bit to notice and when they did they thought it was adorable! i think its a non-expensive neat way to add a little 'wow' factor to your wedding. and we kept one for ourselves tht my mother took home for us..and he is still happily alive in his vase.

I own pets, I'm not vegan and I wear leather. So what? My points are this:

1. IMO, this is not a proper way to care well for an animal. Too much transporting, changing environments, bumping/jostling and stress. You will have to be PERFECT in the way you execute this to avoid harming them, and with the overall stress of the day, that will be very difficult to do. It's not like throwing flowers in a vase.

2. Even if YOU are convinced you've perfectly cared for these animals, it might gross out some of your guests and make them very uncomfortable like Julie A said. You don't seem to care about that as you think everyone who disagrees with you is self-righteous but to me that would be a valid concern.

@Tina....WTF?

The plant/beta pic that was posted on here were the centerpieces at my shower and mine still lives. (his name is Sashimi lol) We had about 5 vases and they were all claimed lol.

I still advise you to check with your venue to see if there are restrictions with having live fish at the tables. As I said, mine would not allow it

Psh betta centerpieces are sooo last year... it's all about bonsai kitten centerpieces now!

Lol Clare. I was thinking what's the difference between using fish and using hamsters.

Poor kittens! I know they are photoshopped but still.