Keeping fish may not seem like much, but it is a rewarding hobby. Fish make good pets because they need less care and are fun and interesting to look at.
Betta fish are small, brightly colored fish. They are one of the most popular fish to keep as pets, but they can get sick easily if not taken care of.
Even though Bettas are popular, they need a lot of care. It’s important to learn everything you need to know before you purchase a betta so you can keep it healthy and happy. If you’re considering keeping a betta, this guide will tell you everything you need to know.
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What Are Betta Fish?
Betta fish are part of the Osphronemidae family. This family of fish are freshwater fish native to most Asian countries.
The scientific name for bettas is Betta splendens. Bettas are native to the Chao Phraya and Mekong river basins in Thailand.
The betta fish you can find in pet stores were bred for the characteristics that made them popular. Wild bettas are a duller green color and have shorter fins.
Betta fish are small, with most growing to be between 2.5 and 3 inches long. They can grow to be a lot of different shapes, and most bettas in pet stores have long fins. Healthy bettas live for about three years.
The reason bettas are so popular is because of the many colors of fish available. You can find bettas in nearly any color, from reds and pinks to greens and blues.
Male and female bettas can look very similar. Female fish are smaller and wider, and their fins are much shorter. Male bettas have more vibrant colors, a thinner body, and longer fins.
Betta fish are energetic, but they can easily start fighting with the fish around them. Bettas have been used in Southeast Asia for fish fights, but these are illegal in the United States.
Betta Fish Habitat and Tank Conditions
A good environment is important to keep your betta happy and healthy. Betta fish thrive in medium-sized tanks with regular maintenance.
How Big Should My Tank Be?
Even though bettas are smaller fish, you still need to give them room to exercise and explore. Don’t keep a betta in a small bowl, because they won’t have room to move and might get sick from stress.
Your tank should be a minimum of 5 gallons. This gives your betta room to swim, and it also gives you more time between tank cleanings.
If you want to keep more than one betta in the same tank, make sure each fish has about 5 gallons of space each. A tank with four betta fish should be at least 20 gallons.
How Do I Take Care of My Tank’s Water?
Betta fish need to be kept in very specific water conditions to stay healthy. Keep a close eye on your tank’s temperature and pH levels.
Bettas are used to tropical freshwater areas, so keep your water warm. Temperatures anywhere between 76° and 80° are best for your fish.
Keep your tank’s water as consistent as you can. Invest in a good water heater, and check the temperature regularly with a thermometer.
You should also get a water filter in addition to a heater. Water filters will remove waste from the water so you don’t have to change the water as often.
A neutral pH balance is best for bettas. The pH range should be between 6.5 and 7.5. If you’re using your own tap water, test its pH before adding your fish.
No matter what kind of water you use in your tank, you should use a good water conditioner. This will remove any chlorine and chloramine that could harm your betta.
The most important thing you can do to take care of your tank’s water is to renew the water regularly. Adding fresh water will remove your betta’s waste and prevent any sicknesses due to dirty water.
You should renew about 25% of your tank’s water every week. When you add new water, test it to make sure it is in the temperature and pH range your fish needs. If it’s not, you could shock your betta, and it could get sick.
How Should I Set Up My Tank?
You need to pick a good place for your tank before setting it up. Keep the tank away from windows or radiators to keep the water from getting too hot.
Use a fine substrate for your betta’s tank. Course gravel can hurt it if it decides to spend time at the bottom of the tank. You might consider washing the substrate to get rid of any sharp pieces.
Bettas are energetic, so they need lots of empty space to swim around. However, you should still include a simple cave or plastic plant to give it a place to hide.
Before you add your betta fish to the tank, test the water for the right temperature and pH levels. Once those ranges stabilize, you can add the fish.
Betta Fish Behavior
Betta fish are excitable and active, but they can turn aggressive towards other fish. They like to swim around the entire tank, but they also like to hide in and around the decorations around them.
You need to know what fish they are compatible with if you’re considering keeping multiple fish in the same tank. If paired with the wrong fish, they can attack or eat the fish around them.
Can Betta Fish Be Kept with Other Fish?
Betta fish are a great addition to any tank, but you need to make sure they are compatible with every fish in the tank. Peaceful fish will probably be harassed, and tiny fish will be eaten.
Fish that like to nip at Betta’s long fins should also be avoided. Guppies, killifish, and most tetras aren’t good choices for tank mates.
Good options are fish that are similar in size and activity levels to your betta. Poecilia, catfish, and croaking gouramis fit this category.
Schooling fish are also a good choice. When fish like neon tetras are kept together, bettas are less likely to target them.
When picking tank mates for your betta, always make sure that they will thrive in your tank’s conditions. Tropical, freshwater fish that like to be kept at the same temperature and water pH levels as bettas are the best decision.
Can Betta Fish Be Kept Together?
Beginners at keeping fish will have the most luck with keeping one betta in its own tank, but some bettas can get along. A group of female fish will have no problems, and one male with multiple females should be just fine.
Never keep two male bettas in the same tank. They will start to compete with each other and could attack or kill the other.
Feeding Your Betta Fish
Betta fish are carnivorous, so meaty foods are the best option for your betta’s diet. There are a lot of options out there because of how popular bettas are, so finding a diet that works for you and your fish is easy.
Premade foods like flakes are the easiest options for beginners. They are easily accessible in pet stores and specialized fish stores.
Preparing live foods can be time consuming, but they’re a great way to treat your betta. Brine shrimp and bloodworms are the most common live foods.
Frozen and dry foods are also good choices. These are often easier to portion out than live foods, so you can save time preparing live foods by using frozen bloodworms or freeze-dried brine shrimp.
Bettas eat invertebrates and insects in the wild, so they won’t reject these options if you provide them. There are other more readily available foods, though.
Betta fish should be fed once a day, though you may need to feed young bettas twice a day to help them grow. Your portions should be a pinch about the size of their eyes.
Only give your bettas the amount of food they can eat in five minutes. If there’s any remaining food left, scoop it out of the tank and feed your fish less next time.
Feeding your betta meaty foods is important to their health. Pick foods that are made specifically for bettas or something from this guide to keep their diet healthy, consistent, and nutritious.
Breeding Betta Fish
Breeding bettas is an extensive process. You’ll need at least two tanks for breeding: a permanent tank and a breeding tank.
Keep the breeding tank simple compared to the tank your bettas usually live in. A gentle filter, a divider, and hiding places are essential. Also include something that will float on the surface of the water for the male’s bubble nest.
The pair you pick for breeding should be healthy and free from any damage or tears. Condition the breeding pair with high quality foods in smaller amounts 2-4 times a day for two weeks before breeding.
You should pick a female betta that’s slightly smaller than the male fish. A larger female and a smaller male are less likely to mate successfully.
When you’re ready to start breeding, add the female betta to one side of the breeding tank. Let her adjust to her surroundings before adding the male to the other side of the tank.
The pair is ready to mate when the male’s color gets deeper and flares his fins. The female is ready when her color darkens and she develops vertical stripes.
The male will build a bubble nest within 24 hours next to whatever you’ve put in the tank that floats on the surface. Once it’s finished, allow the female access to the rest of the tank so she can inspect the bubble nest.
If the female doesn’t destroy the nest, the male will start chasing the female. This will happen for a few hours until the female is ready to spawn.
The male will flip her upside down and wrap himself around her. As the female releases eggs, the male will fertilize them. She will release anywhere from 30 to 500 eggs during one spawn.
As she releases eggs, the male will carry them up to the nest. The female should be removed from the tank once she’s recovered from spawning so she doesn’t eat the eggs.
Cover the tank’s opening with plastic wrap to create a warm, humid environment. The male will spend the next two days catching eggs from the bubble nest and returning them.
As the eggs start to hatch, they normally stay in the bubble nest for 2-3 days. When they start free swimming around day 4, the male should be removed from the breeding tank and returned to the permanent tank. The fry will reach adulthood in about four months.
Common Betta Fish Care Problems
Here are some common problems betta fish might have, along with solutions on how to take care of your betta fish.
Is My Betta Fish Sick?
Bettas are generally active and vibrant. Any changes to their normal behavior should be addressed immediately.
Betta fish’s color can fade as they get older. If you’ve only had your betta for a few weeks or months, it might be sick.
Bumps and tears are signs that your fish is unwell. Make sure your betta isn’t getting into any fights and that your substrate isn’t sharp.
Other signs of sickness are white dots or film, a swollen body, and new colored streaks. Check your tank’s pH levels to see if they’ve changed.
Keep your betta healthy by maintaining a carnivorous diet and a healthy tank environment. If you’re concerned about your fish, take it to the vet for a diagnosis.
My Betta Fish Isn’t Eating
It’s possible that you’re overfeeding your fish. Only feed your fish once a day, and only give it what it can eat in five minutes. If you feed your betta twice a day, decrease the amount you’re giving them.
Betta fish can also refuse to eat when they’re stressed. This is most common when you’ve first brought your fish home.
Bettas can go about two weeks without eating before they starve. If your fish hasn’t eaten for 3-5 days, they might be sick.
Is A Betta Fish Right for You?
Betta fish are great options for beginners as long as they’ve researched how to properly care for them. Bettas need plenty of space to swim, and their tanks need regular maintenance.
Don’t keep a betta fish if you only have a small bowl to keep it in. But if you have lots of room in your tank and want to add some color to an active, tropical freshwater tank, a betta is a great option for you.
