Betta Fish Facts

It is nothing new to say that Betta fish are probably one of the easiest fish to care for in the world. If you don't have a ton of time to care for a pet, then this type of tropical fish is perfect for you. However, what kind of tank should you look for when you buy your first betta?

First off, if you are keeping your betta fish in a jar or a bowl, this is fine although not recommended long term. One of the things you should consider is that if you whatever type of tank you are keeping your fish in, it should be large enough for it to be able to swim around without the possibility of tearing a fin or his scales.

Another thing you should be aware of is that the more surface area on top (where oxygen can get through), the better it is for your betta. Like goldfish, bettas don't require a large amount of oxygen. However, they do require some. And the more surface area a betta fish has, the easier it is for him to breathe.



One of the biggest pluses to owning this tropical fish is that unlike many other fish, betta fish don't require a filtration system in order to live. However, that said, while you may not need a filtration system, you will need to keep the water as clean as possible. I actually clean my tank twice a month and it seems to work for me. Changing the water in the tank takes a little forethought though. You should use something called aged water as a replacement. All that implies is that you should let your "new" water sit out for at least 24 hours. Why? I am not sure but I imagine it has something to do with the oxydation of the aged water.

You still should be aware that optimal surroundings for a betta fish are warm, soft and only slightly acidic PH wise. You can actually purchase a PH testing kit at your local pet store. Go for 7.0 PH. Also, you should be aware that unlike salt water fish, water movement should be kept to a minimum. Remember that these fish usually reside in rice ponds in the wild and aren't used to currents. Because of this, if you are going to use a filtration system, you should stay away from a power filter.

Like I said earlier, beta's don't require a lot of space but once you advance to "the next level" and purchase an actual aquarium, chances are likely that more than one fish won't be enough. And if you haven't figured out yet, a fish with the name siamese fighting fish is likely not to be so friendly and play well with others. So what types of fish can you put in a tank with a betta?

• Algae Eaters (which I recommend since you can change the water less frequently with them.
• Guppies (although bettas do eat the youngsters from time to time.
• Corydorous Catfish

Obviously, you don't want to put another betta in the aquarium. If you do, you will wake up in the morning with one fish dead (and possibly both). So keep to the safe fish that betta fish don't mind.

That is pretty much it. I will be going over the types of filtration devices at a later date. For now, go out there and get you a betta fish. They are perfect for any person who wants a pet but doesn't have the time required by most pets.

Labels: Betta Fish Aquarium FAQ's