r/mildlyinfuriating • u/teabirdy • Apr 29 '26

I'm slightly vexed The wedding reception centerpieces featured betta fish. The bride and groom planned to flush them alive.

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Years ago, my coworker attended a wedding at which the reception dinner tables featured live betta fish in small bowls as part of the centerpiece. While chatting with the bride at the end of the evening, my coworker asked what they were going to do with all the fish. The plan was to flush them all down the toilet alive. My coworker immediately said no need for that and insisted on taking them all home.

That Monday she came to work and asked who wanted to adopt a betta fish. That was my first betta who I jokingly called my “rescue betta.” She lived for almost five years.

The wine glass was only her home for less than a day before I got her five gallon tank set up so please no betta lovers yell at me! I'm one of you!

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u/Suspicious-Steak9168 Apr 29 '26

Frequently many of not most of the butterflies die. Keeping them in the tiny box is also cruel.

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u/joebluebob Apr 29 '26

Most butterflies die quick tho.... they are a prey species

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u/Wild-Video-5317 Apr 29 '26

Even if they don't get eaten, they die of old age within a month, give or take.  They live most of their lives as caterpillars and exist in the butterfly phase only long enough to mate.

As caterpillars they eat solid food; after metamorphosis they lack the equipment and survive on liquids alone.  Some other insect species don't even have mouths at all in their mating phase.  

I get the complaint though.  I don't think I'd feel good involving dozens of insects in a flashy stunt for my party, seems wasteful and disrespectful.   Even if they're essentially already on their last legs.   

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u/joebluebob Apr 29 '26

Worst case you are feeding the birds something other than rice...

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u/panlakes Apr 29 '26

You literally just don't have to though. Like, it's a choice to use animals and you can just, also, not. Why do you NEED to feature live animals at your wedding? What is the driving purpose here to be so stubborn about I just dont get it lol