Betta Fish

Betta fish are extremely popular pet fish. They are beautiful, colourful, and unique and make fantastic pets. For anyone considering whether or not they want to bring home a betta fish, learn all you need to know in this betta fish care guide including what size aquarium you need and what supplies you should buy.

Betta fish can live up to 3-5 years old

Betta fish breathe air

Betta fish can jump out of their tanks

Betta fish need warm, ammonia free water to thrive

A single male betta fish can sometimes be kept in a large community aquarium without any other bettas, but they should be monitored closely. If your betta shows any signs of aggression towards the other fish, remove the betta from the aquarium.

Aquarium 

 Bettas need an aquarium with at least 3 gallons (11 litres), a filter and a heater.

The aquarium should be near a power source, away from direct sunlight.

Water weighs about 8 pounds per gallon. Pick a very sturdy, stable base for your aquarium. There are special stands designed to support aquariums.

 

Water

 

Your fish will produce ammonia all the time, but it’s toxic in any amount. Even with water changes, and cleaning, there will always be ammonia in the water. The only way to make ammonia go away, is growing good bacteria in the filter. This will keep the water safe and ammonia free. 

You also need to make sure your fish’s tank stays at the right temperature. Betta fish water temperature should be around 77-82°F (23-27°C). Choose an aquarium heater with 5 watts of power for each gallon of water in the tank.

Make sure to use dechlorinated water!  Seachem Prime is the best water conditioner choice.

Light

Light isn’t the most important detail when it comes to caring for your betta fish, but you should mimic day and night cycles the best you can. It is not recommended to leave your Betta’s tank in direct sunlight, because that can cause algae to grow.

Substrate

Layer 1-2 inches (3-5 cm) of gravel or sand on the bottom of the tank. This equals about 1 pound of gravel per gallon of water. Rinse the gravel before putting it in the aquarium; never use soap.
 

Decor: 

 

Decorate your betta fish aquarium with live or  artificial plants, ornaments and more to add some personality to their environment. Ensure your fish tank decor is not sharp, as it risks shredding the fins.