Beta Fish Care Information

[tina]

Beta fish need to live alone in their home. Males fish are most readily avaiable but sometimes you can find females in stores. Males have been known to attack and kill females of the species also. And their are some Males that have short fins like feamles, so you never know unless someone has expertly sexed the fish.

Beta fish do not need a flitered tank since they grab fresh air from the surface of the water, but they will thrive in a filtered tank if you have one avaiable.

Some other species of fish are ok to live with a beta fish in a filtered tank if you provide the room for them. You will not want any agressive fish with your beta or fish with long fins that your beta can attack by mistaking it for another beta fish.

In a unfiltered tank you need to change part of the water daily to reduce the gunk in the water from left over food and waste. But in a filtered tank you only need to do your partial water changes about every 2 weeks to a month depending on your system.

They do not eat much when they are in a small container without filteration, but seem to me to be more lively in a filtered tank. A 5 gallon tank offers the fish lots of room to swim around in.

The average life span of a store bought beta is 3-5 years. They need to eat beta granuals.

[emarie78]

Betta should be kept in at least a 10 gallon tank and this should ALWAYS be filtered. They won't eat much in a small unfiltered tank as they are so depressed. They should also never be kept with females, the male should be introduced into the females tank when they are ready to breed otherwise they will harrass the females to death.

[Connie]

Sept 1, 2008 10:46:13 GMT -8 emarie78 said:

Betta should be kept in at least a 10 gallon tank and this should ALWAYS be filtered. They won't eat much in a small unfiltered tank as they are so depressed. They should also never be kept with females, the male should be introduced into the females tank when they are ready to breed otherwise they will harrass the females to death.

Betta's don't require a 10 gal tank, a 5 gal is large enough for one betta, unless you want to add more compatible fish to the tank. Although a filter is needed, you should make sure the filter is at a minimum water flow (a Whisper filter) since betta's don't like any movement in the water. Betta's like a stagnant water without movement since they originate and lived in rice paddies. Also, it's a good idea to have a small heater in the tank so they don't experience sudden temp. changes which could kill them. Another good point to make is to "Never overfeed" your betta, that can kill him too! A few flakes of betta food in the morning and in the evening a few blood worms are all a betta needs per day. Feeding any more than that isn't recommended

Here's a couple photos of my son's female betta in a 5 gal tank with a Whisper water filter, small heater and a light that is on a timer to go on and off at 12 hour intervals.