Caring for a Betta Fish
A Healthy Aquatic Environment Promotes a Long Life
Betta fish are intelligent fish that make great pets. They aren't hard to take care of, but they do need proper care.
People get fish as pets for many different reasons. Some people get them because they want a pet, but they also don't want the upkeep of having a dog or a cat. Other people choose fish as pets because they are interesting to look at. Betta fish are beautiful and easy to care for, and that is why they are a popular fish pet choice.
Betta Fish: What Are They?
Betta fish are also known as Siamese Fighting Fish, and were originally found in small puddles in Asia. They are used to small spaces, which is why when they are seen in pet stores they are each usually in a small bowl. They are solitary fish, meaning that they cannot be placed in tanks or fish bowls together (only very briefly for mating). If they are, they will begin fighting and injure each other beyond repair. In fact, even if a Betta fish sees its reflection, it will begin attacking it!
Male Betta fish are the ones that are the most sought after because they are the ones with the colorful fins. Female Bettas have very few distinctive markings, and are not seen very often in pet stores. What makes Betta fish so impressive is that there are so many different strains of them: no two Bettas are exactly alike. Betta Talk is an excellent website that provides information on how to purchase rarer kinds of Bettas, as well as Betta care information.
Taking Care of a Betta
While Bettas are used to small areas, it is best to at least give them a moderately sized bowl. This way they can swim around more easily, and a more active lifestyle is healthy for them. They don't require an air filter; they breathe air from the surface of the water. Many Betta owners like to get distinctive bowls for their Bettas, and websites like Betta Mansions offer interesting bowls for sale.
Betta fish cannot eat just any kind of fish food. They need specialized food, the most popular of which is dried bloodworms. Bettas should be fed twice a day, in the morning and at night. The bowl should be cleaned once a week, taking care that the water used is bottled water. If only tap water is available, a measured amount of bowl conditioner should be included.
If possible, the Betta fish should not be transferred from the bowl during the cleaning process. Remove the water little by little until there is only enough to submerge the Betta. Gently wipe away any growing algae, use an eye-dropper to suck up any debris at the bottom, and add in the clean water. With the proper care and attention, a Betta can live a relatively long (2-3 years) and happy life!
