A Quick Guide to Betta Fish Care

Whether you're relatively new to the world of fish ownership or you're looking for an especially beautiful new aquatic pet, you may find exactly what you need in the betta fish. This little fish, known for its bright colors and dramatic tailfins, can brighten any home without making undue demands compared to some other, harder-to-manage species. Even so, caring for betta fish requires attention to their environment, water quality, and food. Take a look at this handy introduction to betta fish care.

Meet the Betta Fish

The species Betta splendens, more commonly referred to simply as the betta fish, is also known as the Siamese fighting fish. This nickname stems, not just from their origins in the waters of Thailand, but also for the aggression male bettas show toward each other. (Although female bettas are far less aggressive, they also lack the stunning colors and spectacular tailfins of the male of the species.)

A typical betta will average 2.5 inches in length as an adult. These fish can be expected to live for two to four years, but with optimal care your betta may live considerably longer. Bettas come in gorgeous shades (or combinations) of solid blue, white, yellow, black, and red, as well as a range of striking color patterns.

Betta Fish Tanks and Water Quality

A small fish doesn't necessarily thrive in a tiny fishbowl. Ideally, you'll want a five-gallon tank at the very least to give your betta fish plenty of room. A larger tank also needs less frequent cleaning, although you should still replace at least 25 percent of the water once a month. The tank will also need a monthly cleaning.

Don't fill that fish tank with water straight from the tap -- betta fish need water free from chlorine and other toxic substances. A filtration system can play an important role in straining out toxins while also injecting some welcome oxygen to the water. Since bettas have a remarkable feature called a labyrinth organ, which they use to grab gulps of air from the surface of the water, you shouldn't fill the tank all the way to the top. Put a lid on the tank to keep your betta from jumping out of the water!

Your betta will appreciate environmental variety in the form of plants, caves, and logs. However, steer clear of plastic plants and other objects that might damage your betta's tailfin tissues.Go with real plants or silk plants instead.

Heat and Light for Betta Fish Tanks

Bettas do well in a relatively narrow temperature range between the upper 70s and lower 80s Fahrenheit. To keep your betta healthy and happy, attach an aquatic heater and keep its thermostat set to 80 degrees. A variation of more than a few degrees either way can either render your betta lethargic or shorten its lifespan.

Like many other animals, bettas set their internal clock around a day-night cycle. You can simulate these conditions by providing artificial light during the day and then turning the light off at night. This approach is safer than exposing your fish to daylight, which may generate an unpredictable, potentially unsafe amount of heat.

Diet for Betta Fish

Pet stores make betta feeding simple by selling specially formulated betta fish pellets. Alternatively, you can feed your betta fish a diet of thawed, freeze-dried daphnia, bloodworms, and brine shrimp. Some owners like to feed their bettas a combination of these two food sources for variety's sake.

Whichever dietary route you choose for your betta, take special care to avoid overfeeding it. These little fish have big appetites, but too much food can cause bloating and other health problems. Two to four pellets a day should suffice for an adult betta. When in doubt, feed your betta a serving of food no larger than its eyeball.

Interactions With Other Fish

As noted above, male bettas get extremely aggressive toward other male bettas, to the point that they may exhaust, injure, or even kill each other in attacks. Never put more than one male betta in your fish tank! For that matter, take care not to put other similar-looking species in the tank with your betta, just for cautions's sake. Keep male and female bettas in separate tanks unless you intend to breed them.

Even with these restrictions, your male betta need not live a lonely life. You can safely mix bettas with a variety of popular species such as harlequin rasboras, corydoras catfish (Cory cats), clown pecos, ghost shrimp, kuhli loaches, and neon or ember tetras.

Betta Fish Health Problems

Bettas can fall prey to some of the same diseases known to afflict other popular fish, from ich, velvet, and fin rot to fungal infections and a condition called swim bladder disorder. If your betta displays lethargy, color changes, itching, lumps, spots, sustained loss of appetite, or rapid breathing, test the water quality and change the water as needed. If the problems don't resolve, it's time to call your exotic animal vet. This specialist may recommend the addition of aquarium salts to the water or prescribe antibacterial treatments.

You don't have to be an expert on fish to raise a thriving betta; you just need to adhere to the fundamentals of proper care. Don't hesitate to chat with your trusted veterinary professional about any aspect of betta fish health!