The Betta Fish Care Basics
Betta fish are tropical fish. They require tropical climate water between 75 – 80 degrees. Water pH should be neutral (around 7) and ammonia and nitrates should be as low as possible (ideally zero). Betta fish are carnivores and eat a protein-rich diet.
Are betta fish easy to take care of?
There are no “easy” pets, but to be fair, bettas are easier to care for than many other types of fish. Bettas do, in fact, need less space than other fish, and they’re hardier.
What do betta fish need in their tank?
Bettas need an aquarium with at least 3 gallons (11 liters), a filter and a heater. Set up their new home at least one day before they arrive. The aquarium should be near a power source, in a low-traffic area, away from direct sunlight and drafts. Water weighs about 8 pounds per gallon.
How many times do u feed a betta fish?
It is recommended to feed your betta fish two to four pellets, once or twice per day. Pellets expand when placed in water and are very filling for your betta fish. Freeze-dried or fresh food can be substituted for their pellet feeding 1 to 2 days per week.
How do you take care of a betta fish for beginners? – Related Questions
Do bettas like light?
Bettas like light so that they know when to wake up and prefer a darker environment to sleep in. You may have an aquarium light on your tank and if so, it is probably best for you to turn this on when you wake up in the morning and turn it off just before bedtime.
How many years do betta fish live?
2 – 5 years
Siamese fighting fish / Lifespan (In captivity)
Can I feed my betta 3 times a day?
You should feed a betta fish two small feeds per day. Feeding your betta fish once in the morning and once at night every day is great. Making these feeds around 12 hours apart and at the same time, every day will help you and your betta get in a routine.
Can I feed my betta every 3 days?
It is preferred that you leave your betta unfed versus dirtying the water and bloating your betta’s stomach by overfeeding and they’ll no longer eat pellets. NEVER overfeed. 2 to 4 days is ok but any longer than this, and you must find a pet sitter to feed your fish. Any more and you are starving your fish.
Do betta fish need a light at night?
Do Betta Fish Need Light at Night? No. In fact, it’s not healthy to do this. Bettas, like most other animals, need light and darkness to stay physically and mentally well.
How often should you change betta fish water?
But the short version is that small water changes of 10-20% once every 7-10 days are best for your betta’s health. This is also assuming you are running a filter. You can also do water changes of 20-30% once every 2-3 weeks, but smaller water changes are better for stable water conditions!
Do bettas sleep?
Similar to humans, betta fish sleep at night. “They’re also known for taking recurrent short naps during the day,” Dr.
Can bettas recognize their owners?
They quickly learn to recognize their human companions, they know when feeding time is, and they get excited when you approach their aquarium.
How do I know if my betta fish is happy?
A happy betta will swim around their tank daily. Sometimes they will move almost lazily about, and other times they’ll flit from side to side quickly. If the betta appears to have no trouble swimming and isn’t leaning to the side or struggling, your betta is healthy and happy.
Can I have a male and female betta together?
Male and female Betta fish can’t live together because they will fight to the death. Male Betta fish are aggressive and territorial towards other fish. They will attack any fish that comes near their territory, including female Betta fish.
What fish can I put with my betta?
Corydoras are one of the most popular community fish because they’re so happy-go-lucky, easy to breed, and helpful as a clean-up crew. All of these animals are peaceful and easy to get along with, making them the ideal tank mates for a betta fish.
What kind of fish can live with a betta?
Feeder guppies are bred for food for larger fish and don’t have the bright coloring or long fins like the fancy guppy. This makes them an ideal fish to live with a betta. Guppies are also content living on their own, so adding one as a tank mate is easier than schooling fish.
Can guppies live with bettas?
I am often asked, ‘Can bettas and guppies live together? ‘ Well, yes, keeping guppies with a betta is possible. While guppies are generally very docile, bettas are somewhat feistier. After all, they are also known as “Siamese Fighting Fish!”
Can bettas live with goldfish?
Short answer, no! There are many reasons why these two fish cannot be tank mates. First of all, a betta fish is a tropical fish, originating in the waters of Thailand, the betta needs waters of 78 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Goldfish, however, prefer cooler waters of around 74 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can female betta fish live together?
Unlike male betta fish, female betta fish can live together comfortably in the same tank. When they live together, the cohort is called a ‘sorority’. Generally, a good number to keep together is 4-6 female betta fish.
Can betta fish live with shrimp?
Cherry shrimp and betta fish make surprisingly good tank mates, they need similar water parameters and although some shrimp fry will become betta food most bettas won’t even try to eat adult shrimp unless they are starving.