Betta fish are some of the most mistreated fish in the world. In this instructable i will show you how to properly care for them.

Step 1: Housing Your Betta

To give your betta a good life don't use any tank smaller than 10 litres (2.5 gallons). Bettas come from large rice paddy fields and dont like small spaces. The tank also needs to have a lid because bettas jump.

Step 2: Heating

Bettas are tropical fish and heaters are a must if you want your betta to thrive.

Many people keep bettas without heaters. These fish are prone to stress and even death because the temperature is not kept stable.

The temperature should be about 26c (78.8 f).

Step 3: Filteration

Like all fish bettas produce waste products that are harmful to them. A filter should be added to the tank to help remove these toxins. make sure the filter is very low current as a fast current makes them stressed.

Step 4: Cycling

Before adding your fish you need to do a fishless nitrogen cycle.

Read my instructable on cycling (coming soon).

for now this page will give you all the cycle info.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/fishless_cycling.php

Step 5: Adding the Fish

1. Float the bag/container the betta is in for 15 minutes.

2. Add 1 cup of your cycled aquarium water to the bag/container.

3. Wait 10 minutes.

4. Gently net the fish into the aquarium and discard the bag/container water.

Step 6: Maintanace and Tips

# Change 25% of the water weekly with declorinated water.

# Feed a good quality betta food with over 40% protein.

# Wash the filter cartridge in old tank water monthly

# Never replace the filter cartridge even if it tells you to. The cartridge contains good bacteria.