Betta Fish Tanks
A Well Kept Betta Fish Tank Results in a Happy Betta Fish
The Betta fish is one of the most commonly kept fish by aquarium keepers worldwide. From amateurs to professionals, there is something about these brightly colored fish that makes them appealing to individuals of all levels of fish keeping experience. There are a number of things to consider when keeping a healthy Betta fish, perhaps one of the most basic, yet most important concerns, however, is the tank in which the Betta fish is kept. In this article we will cover a number of important factors to consider when setting up a tank to house a Betta fish including the size of the tank, healthy water and potential tank mates.
Basics on the Betta Fish
The Betta fish is a fish that is best housed in a solitary environment when kept in captivity due to its aggressive nature when confronted with other fish. In the wild the Betta fish will attack and generally kill other male Betta fish or fish that have a more fantastic appearance to them like male Betta’s. These attacks are generally preceded with a puffing out of the fins in an attempt to make itself seem bigger and then the fish will attack out of territoriality. When Betta fish attack the attacks most often end in the driving away of one of the betas; however, in an environment like an aquarium where there is nowhere to run, the fish will often fight to the death. While most commonly these fish are known for the male on male aggression displays, there are also many incidents of male on female aggression and as a result it is generally recommended that male and female Betta fish be kept separated with the exception of mating. Unlike the male Betta fish, the female Betta fish can thrive in a large tank with a couple of other females if the tank is large enough.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Aquarium
Choosing the right type of aquarium for your Betta is essential in ensuring that your fish is happy and able to thrive. Without a tank that is optimally set up for your fish there is a high likelihood that your Betta fish will fail to thrive and may quickly die. There are a number of things to consider when choosing the right tank for your Betta fish including the size of the tank, how much “decoration” to place in the tank, water testing, water filtration, heating the water and what other equipment to include in the tank. All of these aspects come together to create the perfect tank for a healthy Betta and overlooking even one of these elements can result in an unhappy fish.
Deciding on the Right Tank for Your Betta Fish
There are currently hundreds of different types of fish tanks and bowls on the market intended specifically for use with Betta fish and for the new comer to Betta fish keeping the number of choices can be overwhelming. There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to selecting the right tank for your Betta fish.
Size
Many people believe that because Betta fish are kept in small cups when they are sold in pet stores that they can survive in extremely small tanks – this is not the case. While Betta fish can survive in small cups for a short period of time, they do require adequate space to swim in order to thrive. This is not to say that your Betta fish requires an aquarium that can house hundreds of fish of another species, the Betta can live in a smaller tank and be perfectly happy. The most common recommendation when it comes to the size of a tank recommended for the Betta fish is: the bigger the better. Betta fish like to have room to swim and exercise and it has been proven that Betta fish with larger tanks generally live for longer periods of time for a number of reasons. It makes sense that a fish (or any animal) that has more room to exercise in its tank is going to be healthier but it is also true that a larger fish tank means a better quality of water. Imagine the water of a smaller fish tank and how quickly it can become soiled and filled with other contaminants. The larger the tank you have for your Betta fish the higher your chance of having better quality water when the tank is well maintained. So just how big should your Betta fish tank be? There are varying opinions with some people saying that a Betta fish tank should be a minimum of twelve gallons and others claiming that a larger tank, such as a 20 gallon tank, is much more preferred.
It should also be noted that if you plan to have any tank mates for your Betta fish that a larger tank is always preferable. Even for fish that are not territorial, having adequate space to swim without encountering each other is an important concern.
What Type of Tank is best For Your Betta Fish?
The sheer number of choices when it comes to selecting the right fish tank for your Betta fish is overwhelming. There are traditional aquariums, round bowls, bow front tanks, tanks with dividers, Zen looking tanks, advanced “bio” tanks…the list goes on and on and makes it particularly difficult to choose the right tank if you are a beginner to fish keeping. The truth of the matter is that the actual size of your fish tank is more of a concern than the type of fish tank that you use; however, there are some things to keep in mind.
Introducing Betta Fish to a Tank [VIDEO]
In this video by Creative Pet Keeping, learn how to safely introduce your Betta Fish to a community tank.
Do Not Keep Your Betta Fish in a Vase
Some people think that keeping their Betta fish in a vase is a good idea. While keeping your Betta fish in a vase may look pretty, it is not the preferred environment for this, or any fish. Most commonly individuals feel that because Betta fish can survive in rice paddies in their native environment that they can survive and thrive in the stagnant water of a vase that may or may not contain flowers (commonly Peace lilies.) While it is true that on occasion the wild Betta fish can live for a period of time in stagnant water, the fish does not thrive and will certainly not be as healthy as it would be in a larger pool of water. Keeping a Betta fish in a vase will result in rapid stagnation of water in addition to extremely limited room for your fish to exercise which will soon result in an unhealthy fish. Changing water and maintaining healthy water in your aquarium is one of the biggest factors in keeping a healthy Betta fish.
Avoid Cheap, Small, Plastic Tanks
This direction can be a little confusing since many tanks are made with plastic; however, in this case the tank being referred to is a flimsy small tank. We have already discussed how the size of your Betta tank is important, but Betta fish prefer to live in warmer water as well and flimsy tanks do not hold up well to the use of a heater – in fact with some types of tank this can actually be extremely dangerous. A tank should be selected with a few factors in mind: size, the ability to work with a good heater and the space needed for a filtration system and a heating system.
Tank Shape
When it comes to selecting a specific tank for your Betta fish, one thing that often concerns people is the shape of the tank. When it comes to keeping a happy Betta fish however, the actual shape of the tank is not considerably important. The shape of the tank that you select is more of a factor that concerns you than it does your fish. There are a large number of tanks out there and selecting one that you are comfortable with is the most important aspect in terms of the shape of the tank that you select.
Setting Up Your Betta Fish Tank
Once you have purchased your Betta fish tank it is important to ensure that the tank is set up appropriately in order to create the ideal environment for your fish to thrive.
Clean Your Tank
Before setting up you Betta fish tank it is important to clean the tank with warm water before use, this ensures that there are fewer contaminants in the tank when you begin to fill it.
Clean Your Gravel
Gravel is an important part of any aquarium but frequently when it is packaged for pet stores dust will settle in the gravel so it is important to wash it thoroughly prior to placing it in your aquarium. Gravel can easily be cleaned using a small hole sieve or colander by placing the gravel within it and simply letting water flow through it. While allowing water to pass through the gravel use your hand to move the gravel around to ensure that the gravel on the bottom also gets cleaned thoroughly. Once it has been cleaned appropriately the gravel can be set in the bottom of the tank.
Betta Tank Décor and Plant Life
Most aquarium owners like to decorate their fish tanks with décor and plant life but there are a few things to keep in mind when doing this for a Betta fish tank. Primarily it is essential to remember that your Betta fish MUST have access to the surface of the water so that they can breathe. The Betta fish breathes air not only through the water but also from the surface of the water as well. A Betta fish tank that is too overcrowded with plant life or décor is going to make it difficult for your fish to come to the surface of the water to breathe.
Real versus Plastic Plant Life
Plant life is important in setting up a Betta fish tank because a healthy fish is one that lives in a “natural” environment. There are two options when it comes to placing plant life in your Betta fish tank: real plants or plastic plants. Real plants are a great choice for your Betta fish because they not only create a natural type of environment for your fish, but they also give additional oxygen to the water. With that said, many people prefer to use plastic plant life for other reasons. Plastic plant life may not bring additional oxygen to the water but they do help to keep a cleaner tank because they do not break down and contribute to dirt in the tank. Choosing the right plants for your Betta tank is easy and any pet store that carries a good selection of fish and aquarium supplies will be able to help you in selecting the right plants for your Betta fish tank.
Creating Hiding Places
It is important to be able to create places for your Betta fish to hide when you are decorating your tank, this does not mean filling your tank to the brim with décor and plant life however. Good additions to your tank include “caves” that your Betta fish can swim through and use for shelter if they choose to “hide” and tall grass plants that allow your fish to hide within them. Again, ensure that you are not overcrowding your tank because it is essential that your fish be able to surface in the water to breathe.
Filling Your Betta Tank
The next step in creating a healthy Betta fish tank is to fill it with water. Many people believe that using distilled water is the best way to fill a tank because it creates a pure environment for the fish, this is not true. Fish require certain vitamins and minerals that can be found in regular tap water and using distilled water means filtering out these vitamins and minerals and denying your fish these life sustaining elements. The best way to fill your Betta fish tank is to put tap water in to a container and allow it to sit out for twenty four hours. Allowing the water to sit out will help for a couple of reasons, primarily allowing the water to sit will help to destroy any chlorine that is present in the water, secondarily it will allow the water to come to room temperature. Depending upon the quality of your city water supply, it may be a good idea to use a water conditioner or treatment to ensure that your water does not contain any elements that could be harmful to your Betta fish.
Checking the pH of Your Tank Water
Another concern when filling your Betta fish tank is the pH of your water. Like all other fish the Betta fish has specific requirements when it comes to the pH of the tank. In order to keep a healthy Betta fish tank try to maintain a pH level between 6.5 and 7.5. Pet stores sell pH testing kits that will allow you to not only test your water pH but also adjust it as needed.
Filter Your Betta Tank Water
After filling your Betta fish tank it is important that you begin to filter the water. Every healthy fish aquarium requires a filter designed for the specific size of the aquarium in question. Before placing your Betta fish in your tank it is best to allow water to filter for a day or two as well as to test the pH levels of the water to ensure that your Betta fish is not going to be stressed out by levels of pollutants in their new environment. There are a wide variety of water filters available for your Betta fish tank, the type of filter that you select is up to you; however, it is crucial that you select a filter designed for your specific tank size.
Heat Your Tank Water
Not everyone chooses to heat their Betta fish tank; however, if you do choose to implement a heater in your Betta fish tank it is important to make sure that you place a thermometer in the tank as well so that you can monitor your tank temperature. A malfunctioning heater can quickly produce water that is far too hot and can kill your Betta fish. You do not have to heat your Betta fish tank in order to have a healthy Betta fish.
Do Not Aerate Your Tank
While some people think that aeration using air stones is a good idea to create a “pretty tank,” these types of features are not recommended in a Betta fish tank. Betta fish are used to swimming in still water and aeration can create too much turbulence in the water for your fish resulting in your fish becoming too stressed due to the amount of strength needed to swim against the current.
Adding Your Betta Fish
Adding your Betta fish to your Betta fish tank is the final step in creating the perfect fish tank. It is important to remember that simply throwing your new fish in to their fish tank will most often result in shock so you should always acclimate your fish to their new environment. When you purchase your Betta fish they will come with their own water that is likely to be significantly different to the water that you have set up in your fish tank. When you bring your new Betta fish home allow your fish to remain in their original water and float them in your aquarium, this will allow the temperature of the acclimated water to reach the temperature of the tank so that your fish will not be shocked when placed in the new tank. Once the temperature of the two water sources are the same you should begin to add the new tank water to the original fish container a little at a time in order to adjust your fish to the new water. One the majority of your fish’s water is new tank water you can release your Betta fish in to its new home!
Spa and Zen Theme Betta Fish Tanks
Added on March 27, 2012
One of the newest trends in betta fish tanks is the modern spa or Zen themed tank. These types of tanks focus on having clean lines and unique features such as waterfalls and aquarium planters. Below we will take a look at some of the more popular versions of these types of tank.
The Hagen Zen Marina Betta Kit
The Hagen Zen Marina Betta Kit has a simplistic design and is a compact tank that can fit on any bookshelf or desk. This tank is small so it is can only hold one fish which is perfect for the solitary living betta. The Hagen Zen Marina Betta kit has a trendy backdrop theme that comes in a number of different prints and it also has a small shallow Zen garden feature in the bottom of the tank. While this option may be a little too simplistic for some, for those looking to purchase a small desktop aquarium for their betta fish this is a good option. While this tank kit does come at an affordable price and generally gets good reviews, it does only include gravel, water conditioner and betta food with the kit – tank décor, lighting and a filtration system must be purchased separately. This betta tank kit generally costs no more than $20 USD.
The Fluval Chi Aquarium
The Fluval Chi aquarium is not specifically designed for betta fish but it has everything any betta fish owner could need to raise a healthy fish. This five gallon aquarium is large enough to allow any betta fish enough room to roam and it not only features a small grass-like Zen garden in the bottom of the tank but it also features a waterfall type filter that stands out of the top of the tank. This home aquarium not only makes for a nice large betta fish but it also makes a great home décor piece. This contemporary tank kit comes with the aquarium and base, a low voltage LED lighting and filtration system, a décor tray with a plant box, a foam pad, a filter pad, a low voltage transformer, a transparent pebble holder, natural pebbles, water conditioner, biological aquarium supplement and an instruction manual. This betta fish tank kit generally costs anywhere from $50 to $100 USD.
The Ecoxotic EcoPico Desktop Fish Aquarium
The Ecoxotic EcoPico Desktop Fish Aquarium is another tank that is not designed specifically for betta fish use; however, it provides a nice tank that fits in to the Zen or spa-like themed home. This five gallon tank differs from a number of other tanks that fish owners consider in that it does not contain many of the bulky plastic parts that deem tanks unsightly. This simplistic glass aquarium is clean cut and provides plenty of room for any betta fish without promoting algae growth due to its use of LED lighting. This easy to set up cube shaped aquarium has a thin L-shaped light that attaches to the side of the tank and hovers over the center ensuring that the tank is fully illuminated. This unique desktop aquarium features a 6mm glass rimless aquarium, an internal filter with a pump, a beveled glass top with mounting clips, an LED lighting arm that contains 12K white and 453 nm actinic blue LED lights in addition to a step by step instruction booklet. This betta fish tank kit generally costs anywhere from $100 to $140 USD.
The Fluval Edge Aquarium Kit
The Fluval Edge aquarium kit is made by the same company that produces the Fluval Chi aquarium but this provides a much larger aquarium set up depending upon the option selected. This aquarium comes in both six gallon and twelve gallon capacities and features a clean glass tank with a modern base and top portion. Unlike some of the other spa-like tank set ups this one does come with a glass lid that helps to decrease evaporation which is beneficial for any aquarium owner. This beautiful tank features 21 7600K high luminosity LED lights that can be lit for daytime or deep blue for nighttime. This tank also comes with an EDGE filter with cycle guard that ensures clean water through a three step filtration process. This set up also comes with a two year warranty. It should be noted however, that this tank does not include a heater which will more than likely be required for any betta fish. This betta fish aquarium kit generally runs between $120 and $200 USD.
The biOrb Aquarium Kit
The biOrb aquarium kit is something a little different as far as fish tanks go but it provides a clean and visually appealing tank. The biOrb is an eight gallon spherical tank that sits on a base and features a matching top. Made from acrylic this tank is stronger than glass aquariums but it can scratch easily. One of the benefits to this type of modern tank is that it offers three hundred and sixty degree viewing of the betta fish inside it. This unique round betta fish bowl features a five step filtration system that is patented by biOrb and guarantees to provide a crystal clear environment for any fish. This biOrb aquarium tank kit comes with the tank, a halogen light, gravel, a filter, an air pump, water chemicals, fish food and an instruction booklet. This tank is available in a number of different colors. This betta fish aquarium kit generally runs between $120 and $160 USD.
Aqueon Evolve LED Aquarium Kit
The Aqueon Evolve LED Aquarium Kit comes in three sizes, two gallons, four gallons and eight gallons. This clean cut square shaped tank is made from acrylic and features a black baking to the tank that contains the filtration system which can also be used to house an add on heater if so desired. The adjustable LED lighting hangs over the top of the tank and shines directly on the entire contents of the tank giving it a clean yet modern look. This Aqueon aquarium kit comes complete with the tank, food sample, water care sample, LED lighting system, filtration system, filter cartridge, biological cartridge, a filter cover and a tank cover with a feeding door. This betta fish aquarium kit generally runs between $50 and $140 USD.
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Post a CommentFilling your tank with water
Filling your tank with water that is not distilled is a great point that was made in this article, but I think the issue bears mentioning because it is such a common myth among first-time fish owners. Although in reality this is not the case, there is a common belief that some people hold that distilled water is cleaner and somehow healthier for you than water that has not been distilled. Water that is distilled lacks dissolved oxygen that the Bettas need in order to breathe.
The addition of the reviews for the aquarium kits was absolutely great. I loved this! Aquarium kits are a good way for beginners to get the feel for putting a tank together as well as getting the aesthetic quality of a fish tank that adds to a home’s decor. I appreciated the inclusion of the prices in the aquarium kit descriptions, as well. This was a great thing to include, since it demonstrates how aquarium kits, while they have many advantages, are not an inexpensive way to go, especially if you are only keeping one Betta in the tank.
I also wondered about the part where the author mentions the need for a heater and a filtration system in a Betta fish tank. While I certainly understand that for the health of the fish, a filtration system takes a lot of the work out of maintaining the tank, a glass tank without a filter, that you clean and maintain regularly, works great. And plastic, if you keep it away from extreme heat or cold, is also just fine. In my experience, Bettas hold up pretty well to water at room temperature or warmer, and this does not always require the use of a heater. A recommendation from my personal experience is to get a small freshwater snail to clean the sides of the tank naturally. Just one snail will keep even a twenty gallon tank clean.
After reading through the parts about a heated twenty gallon tank with a filtration system, I felt a little bit like the article was attempting to over-sell me on an overly-large, complex, multi-faceted and expensive tank. I understand the desire to have a comfortable and hospitable environment for the fish, but the entire set up is for one small Betta fish. Something that is overly-complex is just not necessary and more money spent than it needs to be.
In saying that, I do acknowledge that the author of this article does have a level of knowledge on the subject, and seems very versed as to the needs of the fish. Because this information has been conveyed in the article, it made me think again about whether I was really doing the fish a dis-service by putting them in a vase instead of a twenty gallon heated tank with a filtration system. While my answer to these questions ultimately was, “No”, that does not mean that I think that the advice is not good.
How to set up a home for Betta Fish
This article is a ‘must-read’ for anyone considering keeping a Betta fish as a pet, since it gives you a great sense of what the fish require and how to set up a home for them. Although I do not fully see the need for some of these recommendations, this comes from my personal experience with Bettas and not out of any expert knowledge I have about them. And the truth is, if you know very little about Bettas, these guidelines are a solid way to keep a healthy and happy pet. Too often, people buy Bettas at the store because they are pretty and do not know how to really care for them properly, which can result in a Betta with poor health or disease that will likely die early. Starting with proper tank set-up and care is the first step!
Something that I have noticed having Bettas as fish myself is that they indeed do appreciate a bigger tank, and having a smaller tank that does not allow them to move around as much or go from top to bottom can actually give them signs of depression. The little cups they are sold in are only for Betta transportation. They are freshwater fish, which means that they are more active, and do need a bigger tank in general. I would recommend a two- to five-gallon tank at minimum for a solitary male Betta, and to not place tanks with males close enough together that they will see and recognize each other as rivals. The twelve gallon tank recommendation from the article seems quite excessive for most purposes, and a twenty gallon tank for just one fish is what I would call overboard.
The advice on how to clean and set up a Betta fish tank was fun and good advice. I like to set up little hiding places for the fish using a combination of real plants and plastic decor as well. This for me is just to set up something that looks cool in the tank and will be peaceful and serene to watch your fish interact with. I also liked the video demonstration of how to introduce a Betta to a community tank. I thought that was great help for those who are not accustomed to introducing Bettas to other fish in an aquarium where rules are likely already established. One other thing to point out here is to make sure that you have enough space in a community aquarium for a Betta to be introduced. All too many times, I see community aquariums stuffed to the gills with far too many fish, and this is not a way to keep happy pets.
In fact, if there are too many fish in the tank, this can be a recipe for disaster. Of course, you only want a single male betta; more than one will fight and possibly kill each other. Also, introducing too many fish can cause a lot of stress and possibly even overt aggression in different species.
Remember that certain things are important if you own Bettas
The water quality is also an important factor to consider. Use a quality liquid water conditioner to remove any chlorine and chloramines from tap water before adding it to the tank. You may also need to use general hardness and carbonate hardness supplements depending on your local water supply. The PH of the water should be around 7.0. The general hardness should be between 7 and 9 degrees, while the carbonate hardness is between 5 and 8 degrees. Additionally, regularly test your water for its PH, GH, KH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels.
Regularly maintain your tank. This involves changing approximately 10% of the water once per week. Use a gravel vacuum to remove waste and uneaten food from the substrate. At the same time as you are doing this, wipe down the sides of the tank with an aquarium safe sponge. The filter media and any decorations in the tank should be cleaned off in the old tank water (this maintains the beneficial bacteria).
You also must keep the tank out of direct sunlight in order to inhibit algae growth and avoid excessive heat. Do not keep aquarium lights on for any more than 12 hours in a 24 hour period. This is to allow the fish adequate rest time (and also to help avoid algae growth).
You also want to ensure that the tank environment provides your fish with enough interest and stimulation. These are intelligent fish which require a varied environment. They come from environments which are densely vegetated. It would certainly make them feel more comfortable if there were some plants and other types of vegetation within their tank. This allows them to explore and feel more and more secure with their new home. In fact, you may even want to change things up from time to time by providing different types of plants and things, or even just changing their location.
Within the tank itself, you want the gravel to be smooth and the decorations not to have any rough edges. This will help to ensure that their fins are not torn (especially for the males). You may even consider sanding some parts of the plants, decorations or pieces of driftwood to protect against this possibility. Another benefit of having tall plants with large leaves is that the fish can rest close to the surface. This is helpful since they do require taking in fresh air from time to time.
I have had other fish that seemed to have a fine time in a flower vase, who lived long and happy lives and liked hiding among the plant roots. Thus, this is one of the recommendations that I think can be bypassed, although I do not officially recommend going against it.
Depression in Betta fish
The section on advanced fin and body rot was particularly alarming, as the Betta in this case is being eaten alive by bacteria and is in a lot of pain. I have never had this happen to a fish, but I certainly bad that anyone would ever allow this to happen. Please take care of your pets, people! Recognizing that a Betta fish is sick or diseased is important as a pet owner. I wanted to know more about how to determine whether your Betta was depressed, as well, since that was brought up in the article but not elaborated upon. My thoughts are, that if they are like humans or other pets, they may just need a dose of sunshine and something interesting in the tank to hide behind or play with. I also wondered whether Bettas might get depressed in a community aquarium as a result of negative interactions with other fish and if there are ways to prevent this. As I mentioned, I believe Bettas should have separate bowls away from other fish, but it is clear to me from this article that not everyone does it this way.
I think that it is certainly normal for some of these fish to rest or just hang out for a while in certain areas. However, observe your fish closely. Any that seem to be constantly hiding or appears lethargic and unresponsive is very likely sick. If this is the case, seek appropriate medical attention.
These are some of the most interesting fish you could ever imagine. If you treat them right they will provide you with hours upon hours of visual entertainment along with a calm and peaceful experience. This all starts with you understanding what is involved in terms of setting up a proper tank and providing an environment in which these wonderful little ones can grow and thrive.
Recently I read an article that discussed caring for sick Bettas in a community aquarium, although I disagreed with the idea that Bettas should be kept with other fish. This article confirmed my views about the issue off-the-bat, in advising that Bettas be kept solitary. This is, as mentioned in the article, for their own safety and happiness. I also agree that male and female Bettas should not be housed together except for mating, although I would like to add that you should not attempt to breed Bettas unless you have the proper training.
That said, I am guilty myself of keeping Bettas in a flower vase, and it was unfortunate to read about how many fish do not like this, mostly because some of the consequences that I read could happen actually did occur for me, I think. It is strange to say that I think my fish got depressed, but I think that given the symptoms, that is probably what happened. Whether that is because of the size of the tank, however, is hard to say.
I gained a lot of useful advice on caring for Bettas here!
I have been inspired by this article to get a new Betta fish! Bettas are rewarding pets that are peaceful and pretty to watch, and are great for apartment living.
While the points made in this article are helpful for the beginning betta fish enthusiast, some of the information is simply incorrect, or at least not explained within the proper context. For example, the author indicates that there are many incidents of male on female betta fish aggression. Most of these acts of aggression occur during mating and spawning situations, not when they are within the same aquarium tank under generally peaceful conditions. In fact, it is certainly possible to keep multiple betas in the same tank, as long as there is only one male. It is certainly true that the males will likely attack each other and fight to the death in certain situations.
These fish are some of the most well known and popular freshwater aquarium fish. This is because of their bright colors and entertaining displays.
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a tank for your betta fish. The first of these to think about is the size of the tank itself. While actual size recommendations are numerous and cover quite a wide range, all experts seem to universally agree that smaller bowls and tanks are not a good idea. These are smart and curious fish who like to have a lot of room to explore and spread out. Plan on at least 10 to 12 gallons per betta fish kept in the tank. They are also excellent jumpers, so the tank should have a lid to prevent escape. Additionally, make sure that the fish have access to the surface, since they do need to breathe fresh air from time to time.
You may use a filter, but be careful. These fish prefer slow moving water, so make sure that the flow on your filter is adjustable. Just make sure that it does not change the flow of the water, but is able to do the job of converting the fish waste products into more beneficial nitrates.
The water temperature of the tank needs to be around 80 degrees or so. Remember that these fish come from a tropical climate and will have a very difficult time adjusting to water which is below 75 degrees (they will become increasingly listless). You water your tank to use a submersible aquarium heater. These are not able to be used with small fish bowls, which necessitates having a larger tank.
What I liked
The explanations from Chris Simms on how to identify a sick Betta fish were quite enlightening and make a good, quick reference source for any Betta owner. Chances are, these are easy to commit to memory as you watch and play with your fish, however. I especially liked the part about washing your hands after handling a sick fish. This is good practice, and for me it really signaled the level of care that a Betta owner has for his or her pet.
Fin and tail rot are unfortunate, and I am pleased to say that I have not had this happen to a pet of mine. However, this is a good warning of what happens when you do not take care of your Betta by changing the water and making sure it is purified with anti-fungal. This is a tragic sort of disease because it is so easily prevented with proper care. I hope that anyone, if you think you want a Betta fish for a pet, will take pause after reading this part about fin and tail rot and decide whether you can really commit to changing the water regularly and putting drops of purifier in so as to prevent this disease. If you cannot answer that you could truly do that, perhaps a plant that you do not have to water very often would be a better option for a starter pet.
To that end, the fungal infections and other sections such as Popeye also demonstrate the need for proper care. I was certainly surprised to see how many of these diseases and disorders were almost entirely preventable in nature, and it was heartening to see that the “Prevention” section was not really anything extraordinary or out-of-the-way. These measures are much easier and less expensive than having to deal with a sick fish and less of a ‘bummer’ emotionally than having your fish die on you. It is also less emotionally difficult than watching your beautiful Betta fish battle an illness or disease.
Ich and Dropsy had me a bit concerned for different reasons, mostly because these are the result of feeding them frozen pellets of live food, which I like to do for my fish as a treat. The fact that this could have such disastrous consequences is unfortunate, although there is not a whole lot to do to prevent it since live food is also tasty and nutritious for Bettas. In this case, having the Betta First Aid Kit is particularly handy, since these diseases can be treated quickly and effectively. I would say, although it might be difficult for you to want to, that if you are feeding your Betta live food and it comes down with one of these parasitic infections that throwing away the rest of the food batch is the best way to be safe.
I'm not sure I agree with everything on this one.
I have kept several Betta fish as pets during the course of my life, and they are beautiful and interesting little fellows to have around. I think they even like it when you talk to them through the glass of the fish bowl, crazy as that sounds. Let me tell you from experience, then, that it is actually pretty hard when your fish gets sick and dies and you do not have any idea why. Interestingly, I have heard a lot of rumors that fish in pet stores can catch illnesses much more easily than at home, although after reading this article on proper fish care, I realize that I may have been more to blame for some of my fish’s ailments than anything. I wish I had read this article sooner!
The pet store employees themselves should have given me the Betta First Aid Kit pamphlet. Chances are, it would have helped sales, since I would have definitely purchased these items on-the-spot. Better yet, a miniature, pre-made Betta First Aid Kit that I could just buy as a whole package. The nice thing about the first aid kit is that it will last you the entirety of your Betta’s life, which could be a few years if you are careful. It can also can make you the Betta hero if you recognize your friends’ Betta fish are getting sick and you can come to the rescue.
One interesting thing in the article was that it discussed acclimating your pets to their new environment with BettaZing or BetaMax when adding a Betta to your existing tank. There was also a part of the article that discussed removing a sick Betta from a community tank. The addition of medications to a community tank is an issue here as well as the fact that I have always read or heard that male Bettas (which are the ones most often purchased, since the females are not as colorful or vibrant) are ideally kept in a bowl or tank by themselves. You should never put two males together in the same tank, since they will fight each other. I once had two bowls with Bettas and when I put the bowls together, each started getting aggressive at the other one. This will lead to attacks and such. Male Bettas also have a lot of ornamental fins and bright colors, which makes them targets within a fresh water aquarium. Although there might be exceptions, these are the guidelines that I have always been given by pet store employees. I also think that putting Betta medication in a tank with other types of fish might not be a good idea, since there is a chance that the other fish will eat medication intended for the Betta and the medication itself may or may not have consequences on the health of the other fish. Better to keep Bettas alone, I say. They seem to like it.
