by Elizabeth Schmitt

Created on: March 10, 2009   Last Updated: March 14, 2009

A betta that has been well cared for should live with you for three to five years. Unfortunately, these beautiful fish often have their lives cut short by poor conditions and overfeeding. Here are some tips on giving your betta a long and healthy life.

* Tank Setup

A good tank for a betta is one that is between two and five gallons (8 to 18 liters), and has a filter and a heater. A tank of up to 10 gallons (38 liters) will be fine for a betta. It's a common misconception that bettas do well in a vase or small container. While they can survive, they won't truly thrive. While they do come from rice paddies, a rice paddy is similar to a shallow pond the size of a field not a small body of water by any means.

A small hang-on back (power) filter that's recommended for your tank size, along with a heater set at 78 to 80 Fahrenheit (25-27 centigrade) will keep the water healthy for the betta. Temperature swings, especially at night, can bring on sickness for a betta. Adding some live plants will make the betta feel more comfortable in his environment. While plants do need better lighting than the average tank provides, you'll certainly find your betta happier for it. Avoid tankmates for your betta. They're not social creatures, and will either harass or be harassed by most other fish or invertebrates.

* Feeding

Bettas have small stomachs, and overfeeding is deadly for them (much like overeating is bad for humans). Their stomach is around the size of their eye, so use this as a rule of thumb for feeding. You should feed your betta once or twice a day, but no more. Commercial betta pellets are a good daily food. As a special treat, feed one or two frozen bloodworms (available at fish stores) once or twice a week. It is a good idea to skip a feeding or two a week to allow your betta's digestive system to clean itself out. Bettas are carnivores, and need a high-protein diet. They don't eat plants or vegetable matter.

* Water Changes

Water changes are one of the most important factors in your betta's health. Because fish excrete their wastes into the water, these wastes need to be removed regularly. Siphon the gravel in your betta's tank once a week, and remove about 25 to 50 percent of the water from the tank. Replace this water with tapwater that has been treated with a water conditioner (dechlorinator), and that is roughly the same temperature as the water already in the tank.

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