How to Care for a Betta

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This article was co-written by Aaron Bernard. Aaron Bernard is an aquarium expert and owner of Limited Edition Corals in Phoenix, Arizona. With over ten years of experience, Aaron specializes in the maintenance, cleaning, custom design, manufacture, installation, relocation, decoration and supply of aquarium parts. Aaron holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Arizona State University, where he researched the effects of climate change on coral reefs and began breeding his own.

There are 11 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.

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Looking for a pet that is beautiful and relatively easy to care for? Then betta fish could be an option for you! Also known as Siamese fighting fish for their territorial nature, bettas can make great ornamental pets, as long as you create the right environment for them (and don’t keep two. male fish in the same tank). If you don’t know how to take good care of your betta fish, this article will help you answer some of the most frequently asked questions.

Table of Contents

Are betta fish easy to keep?

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Betta fish are easier to care for than other fish. The truth is that all pets require care and attention, so there is no such thing as “easy to keep”. However, due to their good stamina and less space required, bettas usually don’t require much care. Plus, because bettas are freshwater fish, it will also be easier for you to set up and maintain your aquarium. ^{[1] X National Geographic Trusted Source Go to Source}

Betta fish have a special organ called a “labyrinth” that allows the fish to breathe air above the water and survive in water with low oxygen levels. This means they are easier to care for than other fish. Pretty easy to understand, isn’t it?
Betta fish are beautiful to look at and usually aren’t expensive, so you’ll save a ton of money.

What size betta aquarium is best?

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Aquariums with a capacity of 10 liters – 20 liters are the best choice. Betta fish love to swim back and forth and explore, but they don’t require too much space. However, the aquarium must also have a minimum capacity of 10 liters to ensure a good and clean environment, so that the bettas feel comfortable and exhibit their natural behavior. ^{[2] X Research Source}

With betta fish, no matter how big the tank is, it’s not superfluous! The bigger the tank, the more room your fish friend has to roam. ^{[3] X Research Sources}
If you keep a male betta and several female bettas (or species that do not conflict with bettas) in one tank, the general rule of thumb is that 4 liters of water should be required for every 2.5 cm of the fish’s size. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Do bettas need rocks in the tank?

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Yes, gravel can help regulate the environment in the aquarium. A layer of gravel at the bottom of the betta fish tank will create conditions for beneficial bacteria to grow, helping to decompose waste accumulated in the water. Gravel is also the material that holds the decorations or plants that you put in the tank. One thing you need to pay attention to is to choose the type of gravel specifically for the aquarium. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Aquarium gravel comes in a variety of colors and sizes, but it’s a good idea to choose one that is small and natural in color to prevent injury to your bettas and help reduce stress.

What do I have to do to keep my betta fish happy?

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Decorate the tank with materials that are safe for fish and aquatic plants. Decorations and plants (real or fake) not only make the aquarium more beautiful, but also provide bettas a place to hide when they feel stressed. Remember to only use decorations that are designed for aquariums, and only fill half of the tank so as not to overwhelm the bettas. That way your bettas have space to swim and explore. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

If using a fake plant, you need to choose a plant with leaves made of silk, not a sharp plastic plant to avoid injuring the betta.

Add to the tank other species and animals that do not conflict with the beta fish. Your aquarium will come to life when other creatures are present, such as apple snails, ghost shrimp and African dwarf frogs. You can also raise other fish such as guppies, aquarium mice and neon fish. Make sure not to choose fish that are highly territorial, and whatever you do, don’t put two male bettas in the same tank! ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Male bettas are almost always ready to fight and injure each other.

How should I treat betta fish tank water?

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Mix aquarium water treatment with regular tap water. Tap water is the most commonly used water for raising bettas, but the only problem is that the tap water supplied to most municipalities is treated with chlorine and other chemicals. These chemicals can be harmful to bettas, so you must add an aquarium treatment to your tap water to keep your fish safe. Fill the tank with tap water and mix the medicine according to the instructions on the package. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

The usual ratio is 1/2 – 1 teaspoon (2.5ml – 5 ml) of water treatment drug per 40 liters of water. However, you should read the instructions on the packaging just to be sure.
Never use distilled or filtered water for an aquarium, as any unremoved natural minerals in the water can be really toxic to bettas.

What is the right pH for betta fish?

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The most suitable pH for betta fish is in the range of 6.5-7.5. In addition to temperature, the pH of the water is also an extremely important factor in a betta aquarium. Water that is too acidic or too alkaline can affect the health of fish. ^{[9] X Research Source} Every week, you should test the pH of your water with a pH meter or litmus paper to monitor the pH.

There are ways to help you raise or lower the pH in your water, if needed. You can aerate oxygen to raise the pH or add bogwood to the tank to lower the pH. ^{[10] X Research Source}
Ask aquarium stores if they sell products that increase and decrease the pH of the aquarium.

How should you take care of bettas if you have no experience with fish farming?

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Make sure the water has a temperature between 24-27 degrees Celsius. A constant water temperature is ideal. Your betta’s health can be affected if the water becomes too hot or too cold. You should measure the water temperature regularly with a thermometer to ensure a balanced and healthy environment for the fish. ^{[11] X Research Source}

The location of the betta fish tank can affect the water temperature.
If you live in cold climates, you may need an aquarium heater.

Cover the aquarium and avoid direct sunlight. Betta fish love to jump! They can jump out of the aquarium and end up stranded outside! Always keep the lid on the fish tank. In addition, you also need to choose a location where the aquarium has a stable temperature and avoid too much sunlight so that the temperature in the water does not rise to too high. Areas like tables or shelves are good places to place the aquarium, as long as the sun doesn’t shine directly on it. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Feed your betta with floating pellets once a day. Many people have the misconception that betta fish can survive by eating the roots of plants in the aquarium, but this is not true. Your betta needs proper nutrition just like any other fish. You should feed your betta fish pellets and wait a day for them to have enough time to eat them all. Be careful not to overfeed to avoid harming the fish and aquarium. ^{[13] X Research Source}

If you overfeed your fish, the leftovers can decompose and contaminate the aquarium.
You can buy fish pellets at aquarium stores.

How often should I clean my fish tank?

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Partial water changes once a week. The water change cycle is to suck away 10-20% of the water in the tank and replace it with treated clean water. This has the effect of reducing the amount of toxins and ammonia in the tank. At least once a week, you need to drain the tank and replace it with new treated water to maintain a healthy environment for your bettas. ^{[14] X Research Source}

Change the water completely once a month to reduce toxins. Gently remove the betta and place it in another tank containing the treated water, then drain the tank. You can also wipe to clean the dirt inside the aquarium. Add the treated water to the tank and put the fish back in. ^{[15] X Research Source}

An entire aquarium water change is to make sure the toxin levels never rise to a level that harms the fish and also to keep the tank clean.

Can a betta fish live in a glass jar without a filter?

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No, harmful substances will build up in your betta when you keep your fish in a glass jar without a filter. Although you may find betta fish kept in glass jars without a filtration system, it’s not really a good environment for them. Toxins will quickly build up in the water and harm the fish. Furthermore, a small glass jar won’t give bettas the swimming space they love. If you still want to keep fish in a glass jar, remember to choose a tank that can hold at least 10 liters of water and use a water filter to keep the water environment clean and healthy. ^{[16] X Research Source}

Advice

If you have real plants in your aquarium, be sure to prune them every month so they don’t invade the aquarium.

Warning

Male bettas are very territorial, so do not keep two males in the same tank, or they will fight.

Steps