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Step 3Basic Betta Info
Basic Betta Info
The Tank - Your Betta's Home
Bettas are labyrinth fish, meaning they can breathe directly from the surface of water. Therefore they don't need air pumps to provide them with oxygen like most fish do. You often see bettas at pet stores in small bowls without any type of filtration at all, as bettas do not like fast currents because of their long fins. And most pet store owners advise their customers to keeps bettas in such small spaces because they seem happier. Well how would you like it if you lived your entire life in a 2 x 3 ft room? Bettas need a minimum sized aquarium of two gallons. Although bettas can easily be kept in a two-gallon aquarium, the bigger the better. And that's because when there is more water volume, there is less pollution caused by fish waste and the betta would appreciate the extra space as well. Make sure the aquarium contains a lid or hood, as bettas are excellent jumpers. I highly recommend the minibow aquarium kit, it includes almost everything you need in order to keep a betta. (Image 2)
Betta Water
Although bettas are hardy fish and they can accept different ranges of temperature, the ideal temperature for your betta's tank is 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit (24-27 degrees Celsius). Lower temperatures (74 degrees F and below) can cause your betta's immune system to slow down and your betta can get a disease or parasite. But most betta experts suggest that higher temperatures (84+ degrees F) can cause your betta to age too quickly. Most people say that betta fish are boring because they just stay at the bottom of the bowl. That's because those people had their betta's water below the ideal temperature, bettas are much more active when kept in warmer temperature. And to keep a stable temperature, use a heater such as the Marineland Visi-Therm Submersible Aquarium Heaters. (Image 3)
But like all fish, bettas need dechlorinated water. The chlorine in tap water can kill your fish, that is why your betta's water needs to be either bottled water, RO water or tap water that has been treated with a water conditioner. The most common water conditioners used today are: Tetra AquaSafe, Jungle Bowl Buddies and Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Tap Water Conditioners; but I highly recommend Seachem Prime Water Conditioner because not only does it conditions the chlorine in the water, but it also removes ammonia and promotes the production of the natural slime coat of fish (a protective coat that keeps microbes away from your fish's body). (Image 4)
Your betta's water doesn't need a specific Ph, as they are hardy fish. But the ideal Ph for your betta is between 6.5 and 8.
Cycled water is another important factor for your betta's health. Cycled water is water that has been cycled for the establishment of biological bacteria that removes the toxins that your betta's metabolism creates. This can be done by leaving the tank without any fish for two weeks in order for the production of the biological bacteria. Or by adding some biological conditioner to the water, such as Cycle Biological Aquarium Supplement. (Image 5). This is why it's important to let your tank cycle before you add your betta fish.
Add some aquarium salt to your betta's water. This will prevent your betta from getting most diseases and parasites. Follow the instructions on the product, make sure not to overdose. (Image 6)
Water changes are a must when keeping betta fish. Change about 25% of your tank's volume once a week with treated water to remove some of the fish waste and ammonia. And a 100% water change once a month.
Betta Feeding
Feed your once a day everyday some betta fish food. About once a week, don't feed your betta so their digestive system can rest. Please do not overfeed, overfeeding can pollute their water and even kill them. (For more info about betta feeding, go to the next step)
The Tank - Your Betta's Home
Bettas are labyrinth fish, meaning they can breathe directly from the surface of water. Therefore they don't need air pumps to provide them with oxygen like most fish do. You often see bettas at pet stores in small bowls without any type of filtration at all, as bettas do not like fast currents because of their long fins. And most pet store owners advise their customers to keeps bettas in such small spaces because they seem happier. Well how would you like it if you lived your entire life in a 2 x 3 ft room? Bettas need a minimum sized aquarium of two gallons. Although bettas can easily be kept in a two-gallon aquarium, the bigger the better. And that's because when there is more water volume, there is less pollution caused by fish waste and the betta would appreciate the extra space as well. Make sure the aquarium contains a lid or hood, as bettas are excellent jumpers. I highly recommend the minibow aquarium kit, it includes almost everything you need in order to keep a betta. (Image 2)
Betta Water
Although bettas are hardy fish and they can accept different ranges of temperature, the ideal temperature for your betta's tank is 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit (24-27 degrees Celsius). Lower temperatures (74 degrees F and below) can cause your betta's immune system to slow down and your betta can get a disease or parasite. But most betta experts suggest that higher temperatures (84+ degrees F) can cause your betta to age too quickly. Most people say that betta fish are boring because they just stay at the bottom of the bowl. That's because those people had their betta's water below the ideal temperature, bettas are much more active when kept in warmer temperature. And to keep a stable temperature, use a heater such as the Marineland Visi-Therm Submersible Aquarium Heaters. (Image 3)
But like all fish, bettas need dechlorinated water. The chlorine in tap water can kill your fish, that is why your betta's water needs to be either bottled water, RO water or tap water that has been treated with a water conditioner. The most common water conditioners used today are: Tetra AquaSafe, Jungle Bowl Buddies and Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Tap Water Conditioners; but I highly recommend Seachem Prime Water Conditioner because not only does it conditions the chlorine in the water, but it also removes ammonia and promotes the production of the natural slime coat of fish (a protective coat that keeps microbes away from your fish's body). (Image 4)
Your betta's water doesn't need a specific Ph, as they are hardy fish. But the ideal Ph for your betta is between 6.5 and 8.
Cycled water is another important factor for your betta's health. Cycled water is water that has been cycled for the establishment of biological bacteria that removes the toxins that your betta's metabolism creates. This can be done by leaving the tank without any fish for two weeks in order for the production of the biological bacteria. Or by adding some biological conditioner to the water, such as Cycle Biological Aquarium Supplement. (Image 5). This is why it's important to let your tank cycle before you add your betta fish.
Add some aquarium salt to your betta's water. This will prevent your betta from getting most diseases and parasites. Follow the instructions on the product, make sure not to overdose. (Image 6)
Water changes are a must when keeping betta fish. Change about 25% of your tank's volume once a week with treated water to remove some of the fish waste and ammonia. And a 100% water change once a month.
Betta Feeding
Feed your once a day everyday some betta fish food. About once a week, don't feed your betta so their digestive system can rest. Please do not overfeed, overfeeding can pollute their water and even kill them. (For more info about betta feeding, go to the next step)
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Your kinda going overboard on the whole set-up tho, it acn be really basic if you want it to, I just have a bowl with gravel, water and a floating plant for Ford, and he loves it! No filtration, no aeration nothing, I just let the Labyrinth organ do it's job.