by Kyla

Created on: February 18, 2009   Last Updated: March 05, 2009

Betta fish, or Siamese Fighting Fish as they are sometimes called, are renowned for their beauty, grace, and big appetites. Originating from the rice patties of Thailand, these fish do require little care- but not as little as some might think. As with all animals, they need proper care, including hygienic conditions, correct feeding, and a schedule.

Before you get your Betta, it's best to fully educate yourself concerning what you will need, what you might need, what to expect in your Betta ownership experience, and about some of the most common Betta sicknesses. There is much too much information to cover in such a short space as I have here, but there are numerous resources on the 'net for a starting Betta owner.

When you first get your Betta, you're going to want to get all you need to set up your Betta's initial home. You'll need a tank or a bowl, of course. When getting a home for your fish, anything below one gallon is too small. True, the pet shop employees may tell you that Bettas can survive just fine in a little vase. While that may be true (that they can survive), your Betta will be happier and healthier if he has a tank or bowl of at least one gallon, preferably larger. Some Betta professionals even suggest that nothing below two and a half gallons should be used to keep your Betta in. Either way, make sure your Betta will have plenty of room to roam- but not too much room, or he'll exhaust himself patrolling his territory.

If the tank is big enough, say anything above three gallons, you'll probably want to get a heater and filter. Bettas live best in a temperature between 75 and 82 Fahrenheit, meaning you'll need to get a heater that is very precise. Anything below or above those temperatures can either make your Betta too cold, or much too hot. For your filter, get one that won't stir up the water too much- Bettas do live in relatively stagnant environments in the wild, and don't enjoy waves.

Next, you want to get water treatment products. There are numerous water treatment gizmos, all of them of varying quality. First of all, you'll want to remove all the chemicals from his water. You can either do this with a store-bought product, or by going the cheaper way of aging his water. To age, simply get a jug or pitcher, fill it up with water, and set it out for 24 hours. This process will remove the chlorine from the water. This also gives you more control over how much water you can put in. Many dechlorinators and like products are measured by the five

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