Weird question:

I'm hoping to use beta fish (the blue ones!) in fishbowls as centerpieces for my e-party (my backyard, 4th of July weekend.)....

Does anyone know how much they usually are? Will the be OK outside? (They'll be under a tent)

I can purchase the glass bowls from Dollar Tree, and I have blue marbles/stones ....

Is this a stupid idea?

I thought it'd be cute...

Re: Weird question:

Really cute idea, but not sure about the heat??? I do know there have been several times we have bought them and they die quick though... anywhere from 1 day to 1 month!

Re: Weird question:

I did this for my son's baptism centerpiece!!! I wish I had a pic!!
There are special vases you can buy ( rag shop has them for $1.99) you put the marbles and fish in the bottom and then a water plant on top ( I used peace lillies) and its like the circle of life. The plant lives off the water from the fish and the fish lives off the root of the plant. My moms lived forever!!!!! ( when you buy the vase it even has instructions on how to do this)
I think we paid $4 or $5 a fish but I dont know if we got ripped off or not! I didnt have time to shop around!

Re: Weird question:

Oh and I wanted to add everyone really really loved them and it looked great!! People thought it was just a plant in a vase until they sat down. We heard alot of people yell " hey there is a fish in here!"

Re: Weird question:

thanks!!!

Maxine, was your party outside? Did the fishies survive?

Re: Weird question:

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Posted by Shorty McBride

thanks!!!

Maxine, was your party outside? Did the fishies survive?

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Re: Weird question:

I'm exicted. I want fishies.

The party is a month away, and I do have an RSVP of June 20th on my informal invite, but I really kinda need to know who will be around that weekend! If one family doesn't come, that cuts the list by 7. I need to figure out how many tables and chairs I need (to be rented), how much food to make, how many favors to buy, what size cake to order, how many tables there will be in total so I can get some tablecloths and centerpieces..... I'm supposed to do that in the 2 weeks between the RSVP date and the party? ughhhh I should've not listened to my mother and done the RSVP a week or so earlier.

I had 97 on the list, and as of right now, there are 37 definite YESs.

Re: Weird question:

wow you must have a big backyard!!!

You can do some of the thing early, like getting favors. You always want to have a few extra anyway and sometimes people who dont come still send a gift so you can send them a favor with the thankyou.

Re: Weird question:

wal-mart has betas too (not sure how much $$) - my roommate had one, it lived for over a year and a half, despite having numerously traveled on planes and having left the country. she had a female beta - they're less fancy looking, but i wonder if they're more resilient because all the boy betas i've ever had seemed to die pretty quickly. maybe she was just special - they are supposed to be able to live in mud puddles after all.

Re: Weird question:

that backyard is not that big, actually....

I'm nervous. I had 50 people, then Mom got the list, and it increased by 47. I hope a bunch can't come!!!

We are doing edible favors anyway, so I have to wait for that anyway. We're doing a "bag of sweets" (heart and e-ring shaped sugar cookies, homemade chocolate lollipops and chocolate hearts) all in a bag or box w/ personalized ribbon.

I can buy the bags or boxes at AC Moore at anytime, and I'll buy the chocolate in a couple weeks.

Re: Weird question:

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Posted by mbm750

wal-mart has betas too (not sure how much $$) - my roommate had one, it lived for over a year and a half, despite having numerously traveled on planes and having left the country. she had a female beta - they're less fancy looking, but i wonder if they're more resilient because all the boy betas i've ever had seemed to die pretty quickly. maybe she was just special - they are supposed to be able to live in mud puddles after all.

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Re: Weird question:

i think they all do, but i would call to make sure... sorry, i haven't been to either one near you.

Re: Weird question:

thanks again -

Headed to bed for the night - thanks ladies!!!
Have a good one.

Re: Weird question:

while i think live fish make for very interesting decor (i am having my wedding at an aquarium!), i gotta wonder what would you do with the fish when the night is over? taking care of bettas are an ongoing responsibility and many guests probably wouldn't know how to care for them properly if they brought on home! if you could guaretee a good home for each fish (not the toilet bowl)...then maybe you could do it. they'll do thrive in 1/2-1 gallon bowls with steady temps of 75-80f. price depends on if you get plain or fancy bettas. fancy are much prettier than plain, but more money. hope i helped.
~lacey

Re: Weird question:

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Posted by lacey&mark

while i think live fish make for very interesting decor (i am having my wedding at an aquarium!), i gotta wonder what would you do with the fish when the night is over? taking care of bettas are an ongoing responsibility and many guests probably wouldn't know how to care for them properly if they brought on home! if you could guaretee a good home for each fish (not the toilet bowl)...then maybe you could do it. they'll do thrive in 1/2-1 gallon bowls with steady temps of 75-80f. price depends on if you get plain or fancy bettas. fancy are much prettier than plain, but more money. hope i helped.
~lacey

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Re: Weird question:

My friend did this. It was really nice. She put a 2nd vase inside the fish bowl and put a few cute flowers in the second vase.

Not sure of the price.. but they are fish.. they will be fine. Plus aren't beta tropical.. Not sure about that. Ask the guy in the fish store.

Re: Weird question:

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Posted by RedHead

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Posted by lacey&mark

while i think live fish make for very interesting decor (i am having my wedding at an aquarium!), i gotta wonder what would you do with the fish when the night is over? taking care of bettas are an ongoing responsibility and many guests probably wouldn't know how to care for them properly if they brought on home! if you could guaretee a good home for each fish (not the toilet bowl)...then maybe you could do it. they'll do thrive in 1/2-1 gallon bowls with steady temps of 75-80f. price depends on if you get plain or fancy bettas. fancy are much prettier than plain, but more money. hope i helped.
~lacey

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i am going to say i have to agree somewhat...
Not that i think that people will flush them...BUT i don't think that it is a good idea to give people fish that they now have to take care of....I know i wouldn't want to take home a fish and then have to take care of them....
They will probably have to go and buy a better bowl (because who really keeps them in those little bowls...buy food and the daily upkeep...

And PLEASE remember that you cannot put 2 in one bowl!

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Re: Weird question:

That's a great idea. I have bettas at home and love how they look so I can imagine how they will look at your party. They ususally run around $3.49-$4.50 at Petco. Maybe if you buy an abundance they will lower the price.

Love the idea!

Re: Weird question:

VERY cute idea ...I think there about 3.99 at Petland!

Re: Weird question:

I think it's a great idea...sooo cute.

Re: Weird question:

They have fish at the Setauket Walmart!

Re: Weird question:

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Posted by nov04LIbride

They have fish at the Setauket Walmart!

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Re: Weird question:

I have a beta fish, they are very resiliant, I had one for over a year, and survived two LONG moves. I got him at petco for about 2 dollars, I think they will be fine outside as long as they aren't in direct sunlight.

Re: Weird question:

Please remind the new fish owners that bettas need pellet food (not goldfish food) and cannot just live off of any plant you put in there with them. If you put in a plant, the water still needs to be changed regularly and must allow the fish to get to the surface to breathe.

Re: Weird question:

I have seen the fishes in a few pet stores for around $2 or $3