by Kelsey Warren-Bryant
In the wild, betta fish live in tropical fresh waters in Southeast Asia. They stay near
the surface of the water defending their territory, exploring their environment, and feeding on tiny crustaceans and insect larvae. There’s no doubt that these fish also make great household pets. In addition to beautifying any room, they have unique and often feisty personalities. They can even be trained to swim through hoops.
However, between setting up the tank, monitoring pH and nitrate levels, and knowing what to feed them, learning to care for a fish can be daunting. Here are some ideas for keeping your betta happy and healthy.
Set Up an Ideal Tank
Although some pet stores sell products for bettas such as betta cubes or fishbowls, it’s a myth that bettas will thrive in small
spaces. As with any animal, bettas need room to roam so they can stay active. Seasoned betta owners recommend a minimum tank size of 2.5 gallons. Once you have a sizable tank, you will need a filter. Betta fish in the wild live in still, stagnant waters. Male bettas also have large, weighty fins, not making them the best swimmers. A filter with a gentle setting is needed so as to not stress out your betta.
The next step is a heater because betta fish will be uncomfortable in water outside the range of 75 to 80 degrees. Heaters cost about $10 to $15 and can be purchased at most pet stores.
Once you have a good-sized tank, a filter, and a heater, the tank needs to be cycled for about a week before you put your betta into the tank. It’s a tough wait, for sure! However, this is necessary for chemical levels in the water to balance
out. If you are too anxious to wait the full week, you can speed up the process by purchasing API Quick Start for your tank. Either way you choose, once your tank is filtered, heated, and cycled, it is ready for your betta friend. Once it is cycled and your fish is added, be sure to do a 20 percent water change every week to keep those levels intact.
Provide an Engaging Environment
One of the most challenging parts of taking care of a betta (and honestly, the most fun) is providing a stimulating home for him to live in, for example, decorating the tank. Bettas are accustomed to marshes or rice paddies with lots of plants and hiding places, so live plants are a great choice for your betta. However, if you don’t want the extra maintenance of taking care of live plants, fake ones are great too.
One thing to keep in mind when decorating is that male bettas have long, delicate fins. The fins, although great for display in the wild, come with a lot of extra baggage. They weigh the betta down, meaning your betta will be a weak swimmer, and he can easily get snagged on jagged surfaces.
When selecting your decorations, try to pick those that don’t have pointy edges. Pick smooth decorations, and provide plenty of places for the betta to explore. Another great option is the betta leaf, a plastic leaf that suctions to the side of the tank. Bettas like to hang out toward the surface of the water to take gulps of air and create bubble nests. Betta leaves make a perfect lounging area, and you will likely see your betta sleeping on it often.
To keep things interesting, switch out the decorations in your betta’s tank occasionally. This will give him new opportunities to explore his surroundings, keeping him active and engaged.
Keep Your Betta on a Healthy Diet
Bettas are notoriously picky eaters. However, when they find food they like, they usually devour it quickly. Many betta owners report that bettas avoid fish flakes. Instead, try betta pellets first as his daily staple. Of course, your betta will also love an occasional treat. Freeze-dried bloodworms are a good option. Although the betta can eat bloodworms as is, it is generally recommended to soak them in a separate bowl of water for a few minutes before feeding the betta so as to avoid constipation.
For something extra special, consider letting your betta practice his hunting skills by buying live food. Ideas for live food to purchase include baby brine shrimp, daphnia, and blackworms.
Monitor Your Betta’s Health
Knowing what a happy, healthy betta fish looks like is an important part of learning how to care for your betta. First, a healthy betta should be brightly colored, with wide, flowing fins. If he has a dull color or is keeping his fins tight to his sides, this is a good indication that he isn’t feeling well.
A happy betta fish should also be relatively active. Although any household pet is likely to spend a fair amount of time lounging, a happy betta will also spend time swimming, exploring his surroundings, observing activities taking place outside the tank, and creating bubble nests.
He should also have a healthy appetite. If your betta is unusually lethargic or is not eating, something might be wrong.
If you do notice strange behavior from your betta, it’s time to double-check what is happening inside your tank. Use strips to test the pH levels and the levels of nitrite and nitrate in the tank. The pH levels should be 6.5 to 7.5. If pH levels are off, change the water and add tap water conditioned with pH water treatment, available for purchase at most pet stores. Nitrate should be between zero to 40 ppm, and nitrite levels, the more dangerous of the two, should be zero. If any of the levels are out of those ranges, a 50 percent to 80 percent water change is needed.
If those levels are all right, check to see whether the filter needs to be changed, and check the water temperature to be sure the heater is still working. It’s also possible that your betta is experiencing constipation because bettas tend to be aggressive eaters and often eat too much. If you suspect constipation is the culprit, try offering your betta a little less food at feeding time and avoid giving treats until you see signs of improvement.
Consider a Tank Mate
Bettas are not called the “Siamese fighting fish” for nothing. Male bettas are mostly solitary creatures who will attack any showy, brightly colored fish that resembles another male betta. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t get along with anyone. There are several docile species that can share a tank with your betta friend.
Some recommended tank mates for bettas are snails and ghost shrimp. Both of those species dwell at the bottom of the tank away from the betta’s preferred area. They are interesting for your betta to watch but are not disruptive to his space. Even better, those species consume food remnants off the aquarium floor, making for a cleaner tank.
Another recommended tank mate who performs that cleanup service is the kuhli loach. These eel-like animals grow to three to five inches and are an interesting addition to any aquarium.
Tank mates to avoid are any fish with flashy, bright colors, fish that are bigger
than your betta, or fin nippers. Some species you definitely do not want to pair with your betta are angelfish, neon tetras, goldfish, puffers, red-tailed sharks, cichlids, and other male bettas.
It can be intimidating to learn the ins and outs of betta care, and it isn’t for
everyone. However, as long as you do the research and prioritize your betta’s happiness, you will be rewarded with an active betta who will show you his unique personality and hopefully live a long fishy life!
