Betta Fish Tank
Setting up Your Betta Fish Tank
Your betta fish tank need be not much more than a bowl that will hold a gallon and a half of water. But your fish may prosper more fully in a larger tank, say five or ten gallons. Each betta will need a certain amount of space for himself. Make sure that you keep the temperature of the tank between 75 and 80 degrees. If their temperature falls below 69 degrees, it can leave them more likely to fall ill.
If you are using a large tank, be sure to change out about 10-15 percent of the water each week, to keep your betta fish tank clean and free of bacteria. Bettas will require a filter to keep their water clean; the water you take out each week is to replace the dirty water that the filter doesn’t properly remove. Keep your filter in proper working condition, and avoid filters with a strong current-production, because that will make it harder for your bettas to swim.
Bettas are meat eating fish, and they should have a diet that is high in protein and that provides him with some variety. There are many types of betta food available at pet stores and online. Don’t overfeed your fish, or the food they don’t eat will cause their betta fish tank to become cloudy and unhealthy. Some people feed once a day, others twice or three times. Regardless of how often you feed, give your bettas no more than they will eat, as this will cause pollution if you have wasted food. Feeding your betta quality food in the right amounts will help keep him healthy.
Like all fish, bettas are prey animals, so it’s a good idea to provide them with hiding places in your betta fish tank. Artificial or live plants closely resemble their hiding places in the wild, so those are preferred. If you give them enough places to hide, they will be more content, and will move around more. This makes life less stressful for your bettas, and will help them to thrive.
You can keep bettas with other fish, but keep an eye on them when you introduce a new one, because bettas tend to be very territorially aggressive. For this reason, many fish owners prefer to showcase their bettas each in their own betta fish tank.
There are particular fish that may create problems if you introduce them into a betta tank. These fish are shaped or colored like other male bettas and may cause aggression. Some of these are Gouramis and female Bettas, Guppies, Tetras, Angelfish and Swordtails. In addition to this, keep your eye on other fish who might nibble at the delicate flowing fins of the Betta, since this can cause stress, and fighting or possible infection.
Bettas are beautiful fish, and relaxing to watch. Care for them to the best of your ability, and they will provide you with years of beauty.