by Shirley Glaze

Created on: July 20, 2008

Betta fish are perfect pets because they are easy to care for and enjoyable pets to own. Usually identified by its long colorful fins and vibrant colors, the Betta fish is highly adaptable. It does not require an elaborate fish tank, a certain amount of light, or expensive plant life. You can place them on your kitchen table, in a bedroom, or even at your office.

Choosing the Bowl
The container for your Betta Fish is important. Be sure to select a container that has enough room for the fish to swim around. The best containers are typical round fish bowls and rounded vases. These containers provide plenty of room for the fish to swim around.

Make sure that you purchase a plastic cover for the bowl. If you are unable find a plastic cover, you can make one out of a plastic dish. Due to the popularity of Bettas, your local pet store will likely have plenty of covers or dishes that are already cut.

Selecting the Plant
You may purchase a plant for your bowl. The plant serves two purposes. First, it can reduce the amount of filth in the bowl. Second, it can serve as decoration on the top of your bowl. Despite popular myth a Betta do not live solely on the roots of a plant. You may purchase a plastic plant or a real plant. If purchasing a real plant, you should purchase a peace lily.

Selecting the Food
Betta Fish will eat the type of food that you buy. Most stores sell Betta pellets that you can purchase relatively cheaply. When you buy your fish, ask to see the food that your Betta has been fed. Most stores use Betta bloodworms to feed Bettas. This food is relatively inexpensive and often preferred by Bettas.

Selecting the Accessories
Truthfully, Betta fish do not need that many accessories. You do not need to buy figurines or houses. Just buy some pebbles or stones (the cheapest ones will do). You can select plain stones or stones to match the dcor of the room where you will place the fish.

Preparing the Water
Betta Fish are tropical fish that need to live in warm water. The best temperature to maintain a fish is between 75-80F. It is not safe to simply place a Betta in tap water due to the chlorine. You will need to remove the chlorine from the water first. You can do this by using a liquid chlorine remover or setting your water out for twenty-four hours.

Setting up the Bowl
Rinse your bowl and the pebbles. Place the pebbles in the bottom of the tank. Fill the bowl with your prepared water until there is about an inch of space. The Betta will need this room in order to breathe. If you purchased a plant, thread the roots of the plant through the plastic cover. Place the Betta fish in the bowl. Finally, place the plastic cover in the top rim of the bowl.

Regular Maintenance
Feed the Betta at least twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Always make sure that your Betta has clean water. This means that you will need to change the water at least once every two weeks.

Additional Tips
If you plan to purchase more than one Betta do not place them in the same bowl. While Bettas may coexist in the wild, they do not do well in confined containers. You may purchase a special container from a pet store that has a divider to separate the fish.

If you are in a hurry, you can buy all of the supplies for a Betta fish in a kit for less than $20.

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