When it comes to Betta Fish Keeping as a beginner, there should be certain factors in place to ensure the health and safety of your new fish.
Splendens, Siamese fighting fish, or simply Betta fish as they are often called are famous for their dazzling colors and graceful fins.
They thrive in tranquil shallow streams and rice paddies of Thailand, living seemingly simple lives.
Creating a home for them that reflects their natural world is vital to having a happy, healthy Betta.
When bringing home a new Betta from the pet store, beginners often make these 8 common mistakes. Be sure you bring him home to a proper setting.
Keeping Betta Fish is fun and rewarding, so let’s go over 8 things you must have in place
🌿 Tank Size
In their homelands: Bettas swim freely in large areas like shallow streams and expansive rice paddies in Thailand.
👍 Do: Give your betta lots of room. A 5-gallon tank is great for one male betta. But bigger is even better.
👎 Don’t: Keep your betta in a cramped vase or bowl.
If you decide to upgrade your tank, the temptation to add more fish might arise. However, it’s crucial to understand the proper timing and method for doing so. Caring for Betta Fish: An Insider’s Guide for Betta Lovers will transform you into an expert and provide all the essential information, including addressing this particular concern.
💧 Water Temperature
In their homelands: Warm tropical waters of Thailand.
👍 Do: Keep the water nice and warm, around 77 – 80°F. Any lower can harm their immune system.
👎 Don’t: Put a heater in a tank smaller than 1-3 gallons—it might create dangerous temperature swings, (even if the heater is rated for small tanks – don’t chance it). Remember, anything under 5 gallons is too small.
🌊 Water Level
In their homelands: Bettas are labyrinth fish, breathing air from the water’s surface.
👍 Do: Leave some space at the top for them to pop up for air. Again, 5 gallons or more, and this won’t be a problem.
👎 Don’t: Fill the tank to the brim—bettas are quite the jumpers!
🌬️ Filter
In their homelands: Calm, still waters.
👍 Do: Use a soft filter to keep the water clean and cut down on water changes.
👎 Don’t: Skip the filter. Frequent and large water changes will get old after a while and your fish will suffer the neglect.
🦗 Diet
In their homelands: They eat insects, insect eggs, and larvae.
👍 Do: Serve Betta-specific pellets for their meat-loving diet and give frozen bloodworms as occasional treats.
👎 Don’t: Overfeed or just toss in generic aquarium flakes.
🐠 Tank Mates
In their homelands: Bettas like their alone time.
👍 Do: Opt for bottom feeders as buddies—they won’t get in your betta’s way.
👎 Don’t: Put two male bettas together or with other flashy, finned friends.
🌞 Light
In their homelands: Bettas enjoy both light and dark, dwelling in shadowy waters.
👍 Do: Provide a balanced light schedule and some shady spots in the tank.
👎 Don’t: Keep the tank in non-stop light or direct sun, which promotes algae.
🌱 Tank Ornaments/Plants
In their homelands: Submerged in plant-filled rice paddies and streams.
👍 Do: Beautify the tank with plants and driftwood for cozy hiding spots.
👎 Don’t: Pick rough ornaments or pots that could harm your fish. Their fins are very delicate.
🌟 Additional Tips:
- Be Observant! Regularly look out for signs of sickness like color loss, clamped fins, and unusual swimming. Acting quickly can stop many illnesses.
- Water Quality is Key! Keeping the pH between 6.5 and 7.5 – 7.0 is ideal. Regularly test for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. You can do this with test kits.
- No Stress! Steer clear of tank tapping or sudden moves—this can stress out your betta.
- Enrich their Environment! Add live plants to make their space livelier and improve water quality.
By embracing this guide, you’ll create a loving and peaceful home for your betta, allowing it to flourish and showcase its mesmerizing beauty.
Once your Betta is settled in its new home, you will quickly identify its personality and characteristics.
Remember, they depend on you for everything, and that responsibility is on you now.
Hopefully, your new pet will encourage you to enter your own Betta Wonderland and become an enthusiast in your own right.
This Betta Fish Keeping beginner’s guide is just enough to get you started on your journey to Splenden keeping.
Make your next investment in your new Betta be the complete book, Caring for Betta Fish: An Insider’s Guide for Betta Lovers.
Establish a strong foundation of knowledge that will ensure a lasting relationship and equip you to handle potential challenges such as diseases, tank upgrades, introducing tank mates, or even considering a female Betta. There’s so much more to explore!