In the pet and animal community, there is a very sad and unfortunate myth that caring for betta fish takes very little effort. Betta fish are often kept in very small bowls of pet store shelves. And given very little attention or concern for their well being. Ask an employee about their living conditions and they are very likely to tell you about how Siamese fighting fish live in puddles which is a popular myth but false. Becau se of this, many new betta fish owners do not give proper care to their fish which often results in sickness or even death
However, equipped with the right knowledge, taking care of your Siamese fighting fish doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, owning and caring for betta fish can be stress free as long as you know how to identify problems and fix them in a timely manner. A few minutes a day is all takes to monitor your betta fish’s health and provide it with the proper care and diet. The Betta Fish Care Organization has a lot of in-depth information on different Siamese fighting fish care topics. But if you need a short introduction, look no further.
The number one way to care for your betta fish is to make sure you have the right type of tank. A lot of different sources will tell you that a good size for a betta fish bowl is 1.5 gallons but in reality you will want at least a 2 gallon bowl, although you should always strive for more. For the temperature of the tank, you should strive for around 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Betta fish can live average 2 years but ; How Long Do Goldfish Live for between 20 and 25 years.
How do I keep my betta healthy?
Siamese fighting fish are a tropical fish and require heat to stay healthy. Some people may tell you that you can keep betta fish in temperatures as low as 65 degrees Fahrenheit…this is an extremely bad idea and will likely result in a dead fish. Make sure to keep the pH of the bowl between 6.0-8.0 and to change the water on a regular basis for the best betta fish care possible.
Diet wise, there are a lot of options for keeping your betta healthy. In the wild, Siamese fighting fish feed mostly off of insects such as mosquitoes and their larvae and also worms. Protein rich diets such as frozen blood worms are the best for betta fish care and will help in keeping them fit, happy, and healthy. If you do decide to feed them flakes, make sure they are betta flakes such as BettaMin flakes as opposed to generic tropical flakes, which will not provide the proper amount of nutrients for your betta.
When it comes to compatibility with other animals, always use extreme caution and make sure to monitor your betta fish very carefully. Make sure to never put two male Siamese fighting fish together as this will provoke violence that will lead to injury. It is however possible to place multiple females in the same aquarium. A lot of people ask if they can pair goldfish with betta fish…absolutely not. The best type of animals to pair with betta fish are peaceful bottom dwellers, although other animals such as the African Dwarf Frog are possible candidates.
Basic Betta Fish Care Tips
When it comes to owning a pet, most people prefer to start small. For example, before moving on to caring for dogs or cats. Some pet owners would like to start with hamsters in small cages or fish in aquariums. This is because most people think that caring for smaller animals does not require as much effort in terms of the food, space, environment, and other requirements that they would have to meet as aquarium hobbyists.
But in reality, there is so much more to taking care of a pet fish. Especially if you are interested in betta fish, one of the most colorful and amusing breed of pet fish to have around. Whether you are just an aquarium hobbyist or if you are planning to go into breeding betta fish, try to consider these simple tips to providing a good home and care for your betta.
Buying Your Betta Fish
First things first, you have to remember that, when buying a betta fish. You will encounter several species of the same fish type. The most common and most known breed of betta fish is the Siamese fighting fish. Which is well-known for its aggressiveness and vibrant colors.
Off the bat, you should already know that a Siamese fighting fish needs space. If you are dealing with a male Siamese fighting fish. You will have to keep it in a separate bish bowl by itselfthis is because male Siamese fighting fish become very aggressive in the presence of another betta In fact, seeing its own reflection can make it more aggressive.
This is why they are kept in one fish bowl, for one will surely die if two males are kept together. This is not the case with female Siamese fighting fish because they are less aggressive towards another female betta. However, precautionary measures dictate. That your aquarium should have ample hiding places for female bettas in case you are thinking of keeping several female bettas together.
The Siamese fighting fish is just one type of betta fish. As you can see, the behavior for each type is different. So you have to do some research on the particular type that you would want to own. Coming to the store prepared with what you want to buy will help. Because you will have fewer problems in trying to set up a home and caring environment for your pet betta.
Setting Up Your Betta Fish Aquarium
The next step is to set up the future home for your betta fish. Assuming that you have opted to go with the more peaceful types of betta. Which can live with another betta fish in the same fish bowl. You can then start decorating and buying the tools and equipment needed for your aquarium.
The water that you have to use is tap water, but with precaution that it is not hard water. If it is, try using water treatments to remove contaminants that may harm your fish. You also have to note the water temperature because the betta fish has a specific temperature that it adapts to. Generally, betta fish is a tropical creature, so the temperature has to fall somewhere within that range.
If you are unsure, just observe your betta fish’s behavior once you’ve put it in the fish bowl. They become sluggish if the water is too cold and jumpy when it is too hot.
Decorations like aquatic plants and gravel are options that can be left to the owner. The important thing to remember is that you have to consider the type of betta that you buy. You also have to consider their own environment and behavior. Some male betas tend to build bubble nests during mating season. So you may have to consider areas in the aquarium that can serve that purpose.
Feeding Your Betta Fish
The most common mistake that first-time fish owners tend to make is to not know the right time for feeding and amount of food to give their fish. This can be a huge problem for betta fish care. For betta fish, once a day is enough for adult bettas while babies have to be fed twice. Overfeeding is a major hazard to their health. So after feeding time, remove food particles left floating in the fish bowl.
When it comes on the type of food to feed betta fish. There are two things that they can digest: live food and frozen food. But this depends on the type of betta fish that you buy. Most prefer live food, such as larvae, brown worms, bloodworms, and brine shrimp.
Since frozen food is much more convenient in preparing, most pet owners go for this type of food. You can easily find frozen or freeze-dried food types of the list mentioned earlier. Which are made especially for betta fish.
Betta fish can go without food for a few days and it is good to skip one or two feeding days. So that their digestive system can cleanse itself. However, if you will be gone for vacation for a long period of time. It is best to have an automatic feeder to ensure that your pet fish will not die of starvation.
Cleaning The Fish Bowl
As with any aquarium, you will also have to deal with cleaning the fish bowl regularly to prevent contaminants from making your betta fish sick.
Filters are an important part of the aquarium. Just like with other fish types, the betta fish will produce substances. That can make the fish bowl dirty in the long run. Filters will not only help lessen the particles that contaminate the aquarium. But it can also ensure that your fish are healthy even when you have forgotten or missed a cleaning duty.
Be it a big dog or a small fish, caring for a pet requires a lot of effort and patience. But in the long run, when you have seen the fruits of your labor living happily in their fish bowls. This is the reward for being the best pet owner that they ever had.
Our previous article What do goldfish eat? Our article titled feed your goldfish, how to feed your goldfish ve when eating goldfish about information is given.
