Betta Fish Facts

Most Betta Fish pet owners typically will bring a betta fish and put it in a tank or fish bowl and not worry about a filter initially. However, as their interest grows, eventually these same people will graduate to an actual fish tank, normally the 10 gallon variety. Of course then comes the idea to put other different types of fish into the fish tank. But before they can do this, they normally will have to think in terms of what filter that they will need. After all, most fish aren't as hardy as the betta fish and need a flowing current in order to be able to survive.

So Should You Use a Filter for Your Betta Fish Tank?

and if so....

What kind of Filter is compatible with Betta Fish?

To understand what you should and should not use, you have to understand how the betta fish breathe and how betas operate in the wild. A betta fish's natural habitat is in rice paddies and puddles in Thailand. As you probably can imagine, there is virtually no current in their habitat and therefore, you are going to want to create a similar environment for them. Also, because of this, there is no need for a pump; Betta fish are unique in their ability to breathe air. They come equipped with something called a labryinth lung. This special type of lung will allow them to breathe air from the outside however, this makes it also harder to filter the air from the water, like most fish. What I am trying to get at is a filter for your tank is not necessary. For more information on this, check out my Fish Tank for Bettas post

Most people who graduate from a fish bowl to a larger tank want to opt for a filter that will yield the least amount of current as possible. Betta fish (the males in particular) have a tough time fighting water currents as their fins aren't equipped for it. Ideally, the only type of filter you should stay away from are the Power Filters.

It is also recommended that if you do use a filter, make sure that the tank is large enough so the betta can swim away from the filtration sytems and get away from the current. And ultimately, not all bettas will like the idea of water current. Some will even hide in order to avoid the current. In other words, it is a good idea to test the filter for a couple weeks and see how your fish react. If they act erratic, then it is probably a better option to remove the fish and place him in a more calm environment.

So, if your Betta Fish reacts better WITHOUT a filter, why bother using one?

The benefits of using a filter are numerous. Like I said earlier, if you intend to incorporate other freshwater fish into the tank, then it is likely that a filter will be a must. Most fish rely on the current a filter produces to be able to actually breathe.

Also, if you use a filter, you won't have to be constantly changing the water, as the filter will help remove some of the toxins and debris that a filterless tank would not (obviously). In other words, if you are not too keen on changing out the water every week or so, a filter will be the way to go.

I have two 10 gallon fish tanks and both use an underground filtration system. I have never had a betta fish not like it but I have heard from other pet owners that their fish didn't adapt so well. As strange as it may seem, deciding on whether a filtration system will work for you will largely depend on how your siamese fighting fish react to it.

Labels: betta fish for beginners

First of all, understand that in the wild betta fish are carnivorous, meaning they eat meat. In the wild, their diet consists primarily of insects and it larvae. While you may not be able to go out to your garden and grab some "ants" and "worms", there are products (fish food) that will help you replicate what they are used to in the wild.

Most people will feed their pet betta flake fish food, which consists of brine shrimp or beef hearts. However, if at all possible, a betta would prefer live fish food.

From a biological standpoint, a betta fish's mouth is upturned giving it the best possible chances of grabbing insects that live on the water. There are even instances where a beta will jump out of the water to grab food (as seen in a video I posted). A betta fish can eat vegatarian food but not for long as their alimentary system is shorter. Bottom line is these fish are built to eat meat.

If you can't feed your Betta live food, there are alot of products geared to the betta. These products are specialized to give your fish the nutrition it needs...most are freeze dried or frozen. If you elect to feed your Betta flakey food, then understand that you will need to supplement it as well.

• Betta Tubifex
• Beef hearts
• Daphnia
• Glassworms
• Plankton

Betta fish can also be fairly selective with what they eat as well. I have found that Brine Shrimpor blood worms work the best while flakey fish food is the least and should be a last resort. If your betta is not eating then you will have to experiment until your finicky friend finds something that it likes.

Labels: betta fish faq's, betta fish for beginners

If you are looking for a pet that is "hands" off in regards to care, there is hardly any other pet that would be as easy as the betta fish also known as the siamese fighting fish. And the great thing about these pets is that they come in many different colors and sizes and can easily live in a small aquarium.

The betta fish comes in many different varieties...

• Regular Bettas (Known as Betta Splendens)
  
• Crown Tail Bettas
• Twin Tail Bettas
• Half Moon Bettas
• Delta Tail Bettas
• Super Delta Tail Bettas
• Spade or Pin Tail Bettas
• Veil Tail Bettas

Betta Fish are actually perfect for children because of their low maintenance requirements. Just like its ugly cousin, the goldfish, betta fish are happy in a fish bowl...in other words there is no need for expensive equipment. In fact, many consider the betta fish to be a "gateway" fish, meaning that many people will purchase one only to eventually graduate into buying a large aquarium at a later date.


Because of their hardiness, betta fish don't require that much in terms of care....if you can feed them regularly, then your siamese fighting fish will do fine. A little food, and with cleaning out the water on a weekly or bi-weekly basis is really all you need to keep your betta fish happy.

Well, other than the fact that they are easier to care for than most other fish, betta fish are "easy on the eyes" when you compare them to other freshwater tropical fish. In fact, even the most common species, the betta splendens, can rival the more beautiful saltwater tropical fish in color and vibrancy.

In fact, the siamese fighting fish comes in all colors, opaque, cellophane (transparent), red, royal blue, purple, and many more. Virtually all colors are represented with these fish, which is one of the reasons why so many people love them. Each fish is unique in its own way!

Yes, it is true...never put two males together in the same tank. If you do, you can expect a fight on your hands! In fact, something like a mirror can spark a response known as "flaring", in which the betta will puff its tail out...it may even try to attack!

Labels: betta fish for beginners