Monday, July 4, 2011

Caring for a Betta Fish

One of the most common misconceptions of betta fish is that they must be in a bowl all by themselves. Mostly because of the stories that they are fighting fish and because these fish are seen in stores in those little plastic cups.

While Bettas don't get along with their own kind, they can make a good community aquarium fish and get along with other community type fish. I've have one with tetras and an angel fish without any problems. Because they are used to being in confinement and are very shy by nature, I found that it likes to hide in the caves and plants I had set up in my aquarium. Having plants, artificial or real, is important for housing a Betta in a community aquarium.

It's been very popular lately to have a betta in a bowl with a plant in it. While the plant may look good and make a nice display on a desk or end table, bettas are carnivores....in other words, they don't feed off of the plant. They need to be fed food formulated specifically for them like any other tropical fish.

As with any fish, it is better to house it in an aquarium with a filter. However, if you do decide to house it in one of those bowls, it must be cleaned out frequently, as it needs fresh, clean, de-chlorinated water. Otherwise, the water will contain ammonia caused by fish waste and uneaten food. The ammonia is toxic to fish.


Bettas have a special respiratory organ that allows them to breath air directly from the surface. In fact they inherently must do so. Bettas must have access to the water surface to breath air directly from the atmosphere.

In their natural habitat, Bettas often come from warm, tropical climates. Bettas thrive on heat, and will become increasingly listless when the water temperature falls below 75 degrees F.

6 comments:

parlance said...

I kept bettas and bred them once. I cannot think of a more beautiful sight in all of the world than the male displaying for his mate. He bends his body around her and in that moment she momentarily becomes unconscious and starts to drift to the bottom before she wakes and swims up again. The male rushes around catching the eggs as they fall and builds a bubble nest for them. I sat entranced for hours.

I then separated the babies and grew them up, but I'm sad to say as they got older they did indeed fight to the death. Eventually all were dead. If only I could have separated them, I would have, but I didn't have the facilities to heat all the little containers.

If you are interested, here is a link to a YouTube clip of the breeding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rK0m_awMOWQ&feature=related

parlance said...

I meant, I separated the babies from the adults, not from each other.

Alvin said...

Thanks for putting it together if you want to make your dog obedient, you must instruct him positivist or trainer would help him otherwise. It's been very popular lately to have a beta in a bowl with a plant in it. While the plant may look good and make a nice display on a desk or end table, betters are carnivores....in other words; they don't feed off of the plant. They need to be fed food formulated specifically for them like any other tropical fish. I have a white and brown dog. He is my pet. He is very nice and I like so much him. Thanks for sharing with us.

pet supplies

petdoginsurance said...

This is a really good read for me, Must admit that you are one of the best bloggers I ever saw.Thanks for posting this informative article.
Dog walking Boston

Anonymous said...

Where do you intend to place your Betta fish? Would you be placing them in an fish tank or a bowl? Though you might have heard of Betta fish vases, let me tell you, these will not be safe. They may really feel cramped. Betta fish might be positioned in a bowl, but make it possible for there is sufficient place for them to maneuver freely. Placing them in a small bowl might hurt their fins or scales. You additionally need to make sure that they are getting sufficient oxygen.

Putting your Betta fish in a spot that permits free movement will definitely be better. It is best to never place male Betta fish together. These are preventing fish, and males don't get alongside very well. You should also keep away from placing them with angelfish, gouramis and fancy guppies. If you do, be able to see them fight. In case you are inserting Betta fish with other fish and aquatic animals, use a 10 gallon aquatic tank.

You can additionally beautify their dwelling by utilizing gravel, colored stones and silk or reside plants. Keep away from anything pointy or jagged to stop any injury to their fins. As far as water is concerned, be sure that there isn't any chlorine in it. Use water conditioners to get rid of chlorine. You will need to avoid distilled water. Water must be at room temperature. Betta fish water temperature must be between 70 and eighty degrees. The pH stage of water have to be between 6.5 and 7.5.
fish tanks

Online Generic Viagra said...

but I didn't have the facilities to heat all the little containers.