Learn The Truth About Caring For Betta Fish

Posted: February 11th, 2012 | Author: blogman33 | Filed under: Blogs talk | No Comments »

For those who have just bought some betta fish or perhaps are planning on it then you will need to understand how best to look after this excellent species. Like other species of fish, bettas have their own needs and if you comply with them then you will take pleasure in well behaved and long living fish.

Other Fish

As their other name (Siamese fighting fish) implies, these kinds of fish must be segregated appropriately.

Male bettas should be segregated or else they are going to fight. Females may fight but are less popular as breeders haven’t yet worked out how to get the amazing physical appearance the males have.

If you wish to buy a couple of males but do not want the expense and hassle of two fish tanks you may purchase special separated aquariums that will keep the two fish safely apart from each other.

Do not place tiny fish inside the same tank as bettas or else they will be eaten.

Adequate Tank Size

You need a minimum of a 2 gallon tank and preferable bigger to support a single betta.

It is a popular misconception that bettas like small environments. This has become popular since pet shops must segregate them and only have so much rack real estate. They are able to certainly survive in smaller environments but they will likely then enjoy a lower quality of life.

Water Temperature

Bettas are tropical fish and therefore need to be kept in warm conditions. An air conditioned space can often be too cold for bettas and so beware of that.

The water temp needs to be kept at around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, give or take a few degrees either way. If you believe that preserving this temperature will be a problem then you might want to invest in a thermostatically controlled heater for the aquarium.

Cleaning

You need to thoroughly clean your aquarium regularly, around once every seven days.

Leave the fish in the tank and scoop up the debris on the bottom and sides of the fish tank. A turkey baster is handy for picking up debris on the bottom part of the fish tank.

You must also change some of the water. I recommend draining out about 1 / 4 of the water, once per week. Change it out with water at room temperature (75 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit). Don’t add chilly water or you’ll shock your fish.

Food

Feeding bettas is pretty easy. They’re carnivorous and your community pet shop should have pellets or dried bloodworms that they can feed on.

Check out Fish Tank Tips for more information on Bettas and other interesting fish.

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