Betta fish questions

[MadamPoofyBrow]

You may already have an answer, I didn’t read through all the pages.
I have 1 betta now, but used to keep several and even bred some at one point.
Mine now is in a 5 gallon tank, with a TopFin filter. It has an adjustable flow so it’s not too rough for him. He also has a five gallon heater and lots of plants (and two mystery snails, they keep the tank CLEAN)
I’ve also used sponge filters in the past with a lot of success - they’re recommended for breeding so babies don’t get sucked up the filter, but they work with adults as well!

 

[HappyClucker7]

We had a 1 1/2 gallon tank with a filter that we bought either at walmart or petsmart. We kept bettas for years in that thing, cleaning maybe once a month? We only ever kept one at a time and he never seemed cramped. They usually lived 2-3 years for us. When we first started we just had a goldfish bowl but we got tired of cleaning it every few days
here is one that looks cool: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Aqueon-Betta-Falls-Aquarium-Black/40574045
This is somewhat like what we had:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hawkeye-1-5-Gallon-Betta-Fish-Tank-Aquarium-Kit/54272314

These tanks are much too small, and are terrible homes for any fish. Nothing but maybe plants should go in the first one, and in the second you could put a snail. But no fish.

 

[MadamPoofyBrow]

I'm not an expert either. I thought that generally animals are happier with more space? Is it different for bettas? I thought that more space=more space=more space for added enrichment (plants, hiding spots, etc) and more space to swim.

More space is really good! 10 gallons is great if you can swing it. Anything over that I think is overkill since bettas can’t really live with other fish.

 

[HappyClucker7]

I'm not an expert either. I thought that generally animals are happier with more space? Is it different for bettas? I thought that more space=more space=more space for added enrichment (plants, hiding spots, etc) and more space to swim.

There is a misconception that bettas get stressed in big tanks. This is entirely untrue. Any fish will enjoy more space.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Bettas definitely enjoy having lots of space. Here’s a picture of my female betta in her 10 gallon (she later moved to a 29 gallon) from a few years ago.

 

[member 592157]

That's o

No, a 10 gallon is perfect. It's not true that bettas don't do well in big tanks. They actually thrive.

That's okay, like I said, I'm not an expert. I just know that our fish lived for years in a smaller tank and we never had problems. I know how expensive fish keeping ends up once you add up tank, filters, food, and water drops(we had bad water and had to treat it). But again, I'm not any kind of expert or anything

 

[MadamPoofyBrow]

There is a misconception that bettas get stressed in big tanks. This is entirely untrue. Any fish will enjoy more space.

I had one in a 20 gallon for awhile and he was really happy. I don’t think big is the problem so much as bare. They don’t seem to be happy without anywhere to hide, but with plants and such, they’re happy with as much space as they can get!

 

[HappyClucker7]

Was it you that said my 10% suggestion was old school? And also that chlorine WON'T evaporate?

Well, it's true I haven't kept fish in some time.. or researched new information in the past half decade..

Chlorine WILL evaporate.. (even if it wan't you that said that)

I quoted your post though, so that I could say.. I can basically agree with this.. noting that having the back filters or other media that retain the micro organisms would be key in addition to the temperature you noted to not causing any shock..

It's with two T's..
https://bettafish.org/

I did say 10% water changes were not enough. It's a fairly new (as far as I know) idea that bigger water changes are better. I hope I didn't offend you. That comment wasn't actually directed at you. But, I did not say that chlorine won't evaporate. I said chloramines won't evaporate.

 

[HappyClucker7]

I had one in a 20 gallon for awhile and he was really happy. I don’t think big is the problem so much as bare. They don’t seem to be happy without anywhere to hide, but with plants and such, they’re happy with as much space as they can get!

Yep! Completely agree.

 

[Fishychix]

I'm not an expert either. I thought that generally animals are happier with more space? Is it different for bettas? I thought that more space=more space=more space for added enrichment (plants, hiding spots, etc) and more space to swim.

And friends