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Caring for Your Betta
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What do I feed my betta?There is no absolute on this subject. There are MANY things you can feed your betta, and he will live just fine on. Some bettas are finicky, but if they get hungry enough, they will eat anything you serve them, including flake food. You can feed them anything from flake food, pellets or freeze dried worms to frozen & live Brine Shrimp, bloodworms, black worms & mosquito larvae. They will live quite happily on the common 'Betta Foods' found in pet stores. If you are planning on breeding your bettas, click here for more information on how and what to feed them. Back to Top
What temperature should they be kept at?Bettas are a tropical fish, and therefore prefer warmer water. An ideal temperature is upper 70's(F), but can be kept in the lower 70's(F) if needed. For breeding, they should be kept at approximately 80°F. Many people will attempt to convince you that ALL bettas should be kept with a heater to survive, this is simply not true. I have many happy bettas that remain at room temperature, which at times can drop below 70°F. I do not recommend constant temperatures below 70°F, but they are survivable. Back to Top
What size tank should they be in?This is a highly debated subject, and I will answer it as I see fit. I personally do not like to keep bettas, male or female, in bowls/tanks smaller than 1/2 gallon. Some people will argue that even 1/2 gallon is too small. Others keep their bettas in those small, pint sized Betta Hex containers. They say that their bettas are quite happy. The important aspect to keep in mind is that the smaller the container, the more often it needs to be cleaned. If you choose to keep you betta in a Betta Hex, then be prepared to change their water as often as every 2 days. I change my 1/2 gallon bowls once every 5 days depending on how dirty they have become. You can also keep you bettas in a tank up to any size. I have heard of people dedicating an entire 10 gallon tank to a male betta. You may also choose to have some tank mates with them in the larger tanks. Back to Top
What kind of filter/water flow/air bubbler should I use?This all depends on the size of the tank, of course. If you are keeping him in a small bowl, then no filter is needed as they will get their oxygen from the surface of the water. If you are going to give him a luxurious home of 2 gallons or more, then a small box filter will do. When choosing your filter, keep in mind that Bettas originate from the rice patties in Asia, which are calm puddles with no water flow or currents. Most Bettas do not like swift water flow. I have seen Bettas play in water currents, but they also need a place to rest in the tank where the water stays calm. Back to Top
What if my new Betta won't eat?This is a very common problem for new Betta owners. In most cases, it is not serious. The Betta is simply adjusting to it's new home and surroundings. It may also be that the new food you are offering him does not sound appealing to him. I would suggest asking the pet store what they feed them when you purchase your betta. If you have already brought him home and already purchased food, then be patient. Bettas can go weeks with no food and survive, so he will not die because he hasn't eaten in a few days. If after a few days he still has not eaten, do not offer him any food for another few days. The next time you offer him some, he may greedily gobble it up. If not, then I would resort to buying him the food he was used to. Loss of appetite is also a sign of illness. Although loss of appetite is very common with new bettas, it does not rule out that your betta may be sick. Many pet store bettas are not in the best health, so visit out illness page and rule out any illness he may have. Back to Top
How do I make sure my water is safe?If you are not sure you water is safe, you can usually take a sample to your local fish store and have it checked. If you live in a city, then your water is most likely treated with Chlorine or Chloramines. These are both deadly to fish. To make sure your water is safe for your betta, I would suggest treating it with Amquel, by Kordon. This will eliminate both Chlorine as well as Chloramines. I also use NovAqua, by Kordon. This will eliminate any heavy metals and other dangerous chemicals lingering in your water. It also provides a stress coat for your fish. By using those two chemicals, your water should be safe as spring water. Some people are blessed with perfect water that does not need to be treated (like me <g>) and others are cursed with water so bad, they are forced to buy water. Amquel & NovAqua are two wonderful chemicals that will make most people's water 'Happy Water' for their fish. I also treat my water with Aquari-Sol as well as Aquarium Salt to prevent illness. I also add BioVit (Vitamins). Back to Top
Do I need to cover my bettas??YES!! Bettas are well known for their jumping ability! It is always good to keep some sort of cover or lid on your betta's home. If you don't have a bowl with a lid, then a coffee filter with a rubber band works well. You can also use a number of other items including the netting that some produce is sold in such as onions and oranges. Back to Top
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