Also known as a Siamese Fighting Fish, the popularity of the Betta is due to its large sweeping fins combined with fantastic coloring

Bettas are native to South East Asia and are classified as bog fish because they live in rice paddies or swamps. Their colours can range from deep blue to crimson red to light blue to yellow. Females have smaller fins and duller colours. Bettas are a very good choice for your first fish because they don’t need a filter or heater.

Betta Characteristics

You usually see Bettas at the pet store housed in individual cups of water. This is to keep the males apart. Males cannot be kept in the same bowl or tank; they will fight to the finish, as the name Siamese Fighting Fish describes. One male Betta can be kept with several female Bettas. Male Bettas are very good community fish that can be kept with any other peaceful small fish.

The Betta will grow up to two to three inches, with veil fins some what bigger. This is why they should be kept in the biggest fish bowl, or a minimum of a five gallon tank. These fish are middle to top water swimmers, meaning they will usually stay in the middle of your tank or bowl.

In order to prepare for a Betta, there are a number of factors to consider:

Equipment for Bettas

It is important that you have a tank or bowl that will be large enough for your Betta. As with any fish, the bigger the tank, the better. This will stop your fish from hitting sides of the bowl or tank, and injuring himself. If you go for a bigger tank or bowl, this will also increase the surface area, making sure your fish can get extra oxygen.

Having a cover is almost a necessity for any bowl or aquarium. Fish, when startled or bored, have a tendency to jump

Water Treatment for a Betta Tank

It's just as easy to leave the water sit for a few days rather than using chemicals. But if you are in a hurry, there are products on the market to remove the chemicals from your water. Every city puts different chemicals into their water supply so you have to read the product directions carefully. The ideal water PH should be between 6 and 7.5 and temperature should be between 70 to 81 degrees. PH test kits are available at any aquarium supply store.

Substrate for at Betta Tank

Coloured gravel in a tank may look cute, but this is not a natural habitat for fish. Natural fine gravel is the best for the fish and for showing off plants and decorations. Do not buy coral gravel because it will raise the PH to a level too high for Bettas.

Plants for a Betta Tank

There are two benefits in adding plants to your tank or bowl. They add oxygen to your tank and also help keep it a bit clearer. If you have a male and female Betta, a layer of floating plants in the bowl or tank will set up an environment for breeding.

Decorations for a Betta Tank

Do not use metal decorations. Use only natural material found at your local pet store until you feel you know enough to try other material. A lot of material can be toxic to your fish and should be avoided.

Water Temperature for a Betta Tank

Having your tank or bowl at the right temperature is very important for the health of your Betta. A steady room temperature is acceptable, but aware of where you place your bowl or tank. Do not place a tank or bowl near a heater or in a drafty location where there are bursts of chills and heat.

Lighting for a Betta Tank

It is very important that you provide enough light for your Betta. Both the fish and the healthy bacteria will need plenty of light, so you may want to install a light in the tank or bowl. Six to eight hours of light a day should keep the tank and fish healthy. Be sure to turn the light off, fish need sleep too. Prolonged periods of lighting can also heat up the water in your tank, which is not the best for the fish. If you do not have a light for your aquarium, make sure you put it in such a place where it will receive natural light, but not direct sunlight which causes alga to form in your tank or bowl.

Food for Bettas

It is always important that your fish get a well rounded balanced diet. Mix up the daily routine by giving flake one day then brine shrimp or blood worms another day. Vegetables such as lettuce or zucchini are also good. Just float a tiny bit in the tank and the fish will nibble at it. Never feed your Betta any more than it can eat in two minutes. Try to net the excess food out to help prevent fouling of your tank. If by chance you miss a day of feeding, the fish will scrounge so it doesn’t really matter that much.

Breeding Bettas

If you are lucky enough to have your male and female Betta breed they will build a little bubble nest up in the floating plants. When the young fish are big enough to be seen, net them out and put them in a rearing tank to grow. The fry’s first food would be finely ground up flake, baby brine shrimp or artemia. When they get a bit bigger, you have to start to separate the males. Be prepared to buy lots of plastic cups!

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