Care Guide for Betta Fish – The Best Beginner Pet Fish
Betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish or Betta splendens, are a favorite pet of both veteran and beginner fish keepers due to their vibrant finnage and lively personalities. If you’re brand new to the aquarium hobby, this care guide is for you! Learn the most important information to care for your first bettafish.
Is it OK to keep Betta Fish in a Bowl
If you haven’t bought a small bowl yet, we highly recommend that you get a larger aquarium that holds at least 5 to 10 gallons of water. The more water you have, the more space your fish will have to play and it allows you to last longer between water changes before the water becomes too dirty. Also, it doesn’t cost a lot more to buy a bigger tank, especially if you take advantage of Petco’s “Dollar Per Gallon” aquarium sale (where a 10-gallon tank only costs $10). This blog post will provide detailed instructions for setting up a tank and a checklist of betta fish.
How long should water sit before adding fish?
Tap water often contains chlorine for killing harmful pathogens, and this chemical is also lethal to betta fish. The chlorine will evaporate if the water is left to sit overnight. However, some cities have started using chlormine instead. To make sure your tap water is safe for your betta fish, you should always add water conditioner or dechlorinator.
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner is our favorite because it has an easy-to use pump head to quickly remove chlorine and detoxify any ammonia compounds.
Do Bettas Need a Heater?
Yes. They prefer temperatures between 80 and 69 degrees F, but they are more active in warm water. A heater can make a betta fish feel lethargic in the United States. They are often kept in rooms that range from 67 to 69 degrees F. For recommendations on heaters, read our article How to Choose the Right Aquarium Heater.
Why Does My Betta Tank Get a Film on Top?
A good filtration system is necessary to ensure that an oily layer of proteins does not form. It should provide adequate surface agitation and clean water. However, since betta fish usually have long, beautiful fins, they cannot swim in strong currents that will whip them around the aquarium. Your betta will appreciate a gentle sponge filter, or a smaller filter with an adjustable flow speed. Here’s a complete tutorial on how to set up your first sponge filter.
Sponge filter are a popular choice for betta fish filtration because they’re gentle, reliable and simple to use.
How Many Times Should I Feed My Fish?
You should feed your betta fish at least once a day. Overfeeding betta fish can be dangerous. Make sure that his stomach is not full. Begin by giving two main foods to your betta fish: a dedicated bettafish pellet and freeze-dried worms. You can add variety to your pet’s diet by using our 5 best betta fish foods.
These small floating pellets have been specially designed to give betta fish the nutrition they need.
How Often Do I Need to Clean My Betta Tank?
If you followed our previous advice and got a 10-gallon tank for your betta fish, you may only need to clean the aquarium once or twice a month by changing out 30% of the water. You will have to clean your 1-gallon aquarium every two to three days, with 100% water changes. This frequent maintenance can cause a volatile environment which is stressful for your betta fish. It’s similar to having to move every week. Eventually, you will get busy with the holidays or project deadlines and forget to clean the bowl. Your fish will get sick from living in his own waste, and then you’ll have to spend time and money on medications to try to save him.
Do Betta Fish Get Lonely?
No, betta fish are actually territorial creatures (hence the nickname “Siamese fighting fish”) and should not be housed with other bettas. However, depending on their temperament, many betta fish can live with other peaceful nano fish, provided that you give them a larger aquarium (at least 10 to 20 gallons in size) with lots of cover and live aquarium plants. Some recommended roommates include smaller tetras, rasboras, and corydoras. Check out our complete list of ideal betta tank mates.
Our main advice is to make sure your betta fish gets the best care possible. Get a bigger tank and buy good quality equipment and foods for him. You can also continue your education by joining a betta group on Facebook and reading online articles. Armed with more knowledge and experience, you can help your betta can live a long and healthy life!