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Basic Betta Care

Composed by: Rachel, Healthy Betta; Edited by: ABM

Housing:

It is recommended that you have at least one gallon of water per betta. This means that your betta must be kept in a fish bowl or tank that is one gallon or larger, for a happy and healthy betta. Bettas can be quite active and fun fish, if you give them ample room in which to live. Many stores sell BettaHex houses or other tiny bowls for bettas, but this is not the ideal way for bettas to live. Deadly ammonia levels can build up very quickly in such a tiny tank and it would require daily water changes to keep your betta healthy; even if you are wiling to make this commitment, water changes can stress fish greatly and should be done regularly but not excessively. While it is true that some more experienced betta keepers do use smaller containers, this requires much more work on your part and is not advised unless you are prepared to do quite frequent water changes and extensive upkeep procedures.

Bettas CAN AND DO jump! A betta's tank should always have a cover with air holes. Bettas are a labyrinth fish so unlike other common aquarium fish, they breathe oxygen from the surface of the water and it is very important that fresh air is available to them from outside of the tank. If your tank or bowl does not come with a cover, there are various ways to make your own! An old CD can cover the top of a round fish bowl; hairnets or mesh material with a bow tied around the neck of a tank can also work effectively. Be aware that the lids that come with most small (1-2 gallon) commonly sold tanks block out too much oxygen and should not be used; while the label may read that the tank is "Perfect for Bettas," the lid is not. Your betta will be healthier and happier with a steady supply of fresh air. Be creative and have fun with it; just make sure that air can pass through whatever lid you create.

If you choose to cycle your fish tank (setting up a working filtration system), it is usually recommended to attempt this in a tank that is at least 5 gallons in size. Otherwise it may be hard to achieve stable tank conditions. There are two ways to cycle a fish tank: with fish in the tank or a fishless cycle. Here are some helpful links to find out more about cycling a fish tank: Fishless Cycle - BettaMVP: http://webpages.charter.net/bettamvp/fishlesscycle.html or TheKrib: http://faq.thekrib.com/begin-cycling.html. There are many other sites to be found easily through a search engine as well.

As mentioned previously (under General Betta Information) if you choose to use a tank with a filtration system, make sure it is on the lowest setting possible to avoid current in the tank. Also, your tank should be set up in a manner in which your betta or his fins cannot get stuck to the air intake in the tank. Watch your betta carefully when you first be gin running a filtration system; if you notice your betta is not happy, it is best to remove him and place him in an uncycled tank or bowl. This will be beneficial for his stress level, health, and happiness.