Betta fish questions

[swampfox440]

If you just want one a 1gallon fish bowl is plenty fill about 3/4 of the way and you can add elodea for oxygenating the water .

 

[One Lucky Momma]

Enrichment counts. You never saw any of that in those little round vases. Sounds like you’re doing your research.

 

[HappyClucker7]

I wouldn't be having them breed. I'd have one in a 10 gallon tank-is that too big or small for one?

A 10 gallon tank is perfect. You can never keep a fish in a tank that is too big.
Since bettas don't like a lot of flow in their tanks, you have to be careful with what filter you buy. The best type of filter is a Hang-on-back filter, or HOB. It's also good to find one where you can adjust the flow. Aquaclear filters are good, especially because you can fill them with your own filter media, and not waste money on useless cartridges.
You will also need a heater for the tank. A 50 Watt heater is best. The temperature should be set to 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
You'll also need a thermometer to monitor the temperature in the tank.
The tank will also need a lid. Bettas are jumpers, so a secure lid is very important. If you buy a tank kit, it will come with a lid and a light. If you don't buy a kit, then you will have to get a lid and light separately.
The glass lids sold at petco are fine.
For lights, it depends on if you're going to grow live plants in the tank (which you really should as your betta will love them). The Nicrew lights are pretty cheap, and are very good.
You will also need an aquarium vacuum, to do your weekly water changes and vacuum the substrate.
You also need a dechlorinator to dechlorinate the water before putting it in your tank. This is not necessary if you are using well water.
For substrate, this again depends on if you want to grow plants, and what plants you want to grow. You can get a nutrient rich substrate if you want to grow plants like crypts, pearlweed, anything that takes the nutrients from the roots. If you want to grow things like anacharis, java fern, anubias, anything that takes its nutrients from the water column, you won't need nutritious substrate,
If you don't take nutritious substrate, you can get some gravel or sand from the pet store.
When you're aquascaping your tank (arranging your decorations, wood, rocks, etc.) keep in mind that bettas like things that they can hid in. They also like tight spaces. Don't put in anything so tight that your betta would get stuck, just something where he can feel nice and secure.
So, after you have set up your tank, you have to cycle it before adding a fish. You can look up how to cycle your aquarium using the fish-less cycle method.
Once your tank is cycled, you can get your fish.
Also, make sure that you get your fish a variety of good quality fish foods. Hikari, OmegaOne, New Life Spectrum, and Bug Bites are all good brands. Make sure you get the betta pellets, as bettas need a lot of protein in their diet, unlike most tropical fish species. You should also feed your fish some kind of frozen food, like bloodworms or brine shrimp.
Also, do you know the PH, KH, and GH of your water? The GH is the most important, as this will tell you how hard your water is. Bettas are soft water fish, and living in hard water will kill them.
I know this is a really long post, and I'm sure it's kind of daunting, but I want to make sure you know everything about betta care before you get your fish.

 

[HappyClucker7]

If you just want one a 1gallon fish bowl is plenty fill about 3/4 of the way and you can add elodea for oxygenating the water .

A one gallon fish bowl is absolutely not enough. No fish should ever be kept in such a small amount of water. Its the same as keeping a dog in a little closet for its whole life.

 

[azure_]

It is a possibility that I may get a betta fish. I am adding up costs and when I try to find a filter I see a lot of filter cartridges or refills but very few actual filters. What filters have you had success with for your betta?

Just wanted to warn you all the betta fish my sister has had have died, my mom says all betas are hard to keep alive, they sure are pretty though

 

[EggSighted4Life]

But if you have more than one male, they fight, right?

That's what they say about roosters too and I've kept quite a few together.. actually as long as they have enough space that each get's their own territory.. there can be more than one.. There are lot's of myths.. size of space counts.. and enrichment definitely does to.

The best type of filter is a Hang-on-back filter, or HOB.

I agree 100%.. a 10 gallon aquarium is a good size for a Beta and HOB would be my filter choice as well.

Great Post, thanks for taking the time to include such valuable detail!

 

[HappyClucker7]

Just wanted to warn you all the betta fish my sister has had have died, my mom says all betas are hard to keep alive, they sure are pretty though

What kind of setup did she have? Bettas are not hard to keep alive with the proper care. I've had my betta for over a year and a half, and he's still just as lively and active as he was when I first got him.

 

[azure_]

What kind of setup did she have? Bettas are not hard to keep alive with the proper care. I've had my betta for over a year and a half, and he's still just as lively and active as he was when I first got him.

I wasn't a part of he betta thing I don't know a lot they were in a tank though with a filter and it was cleaned.

 

[HappyClucker7]

That's what they say about roosters too and I've kept quite a few together.. actually as long as they have enough space that each get's their own territory.. there can be more than one.. There are lot's of myths.. size of space counts.. and enrichment definitely does to.

I have heard of two male bettas being kept together successfully. You would need a massive tank though, and a truckload of plants to break the line of sight.
But, there are a few wild betta species where males can live together just fine.

 

[CHlCKEN]

I’ve never before kept fish, but seeing what a few people said about a 1 gallon tank... is just, wrong! No, you should never ever keep an animal in something so small- is awful! I know in the 90’s people kept them in bowls, it was normal, it was the thing. But THIS is why goldfish and other pet fish where earned the title of “short lived lives” with people who say they have a 2 month limit on life. This was probably just because the tiny size of the container got dirty very quickly, and the ammonia built up, killing the fish. They also have no room at all, it’s like locking your chickens in their nest box, and forcing them to stay.

@black_cat i know you say you want a ten gallon tank, and this is NOT aimed at you, you would never be ok with a 1 gallon tank, but I’m just posting this for anyone who plans to suggest a 1 gallon “tank” because that’s just not right.

Anyway, I do like your idea for beta fish, they are so beautiful and even if I don’t know anything about them, I would love to see you bring some home!