5 of 14

Write now Article Tools

As many people will tell you, Beta's should be kept in a small tank, as small as a 3 gallon tank, and that Beta's can only live for about 3 months. Well technically they are right about the age if in such a small space. I have a Beta at home he is almost 1 year old and still kicking. I have him alone in a 25 gallon tank, and he loves it. I feed him more then three (3) little balls of beta food, he gets about 6 or 7. Put a real plant in his tank, to get the right kind of plant go to an aquarium specialist. The plant will help the Beta breathe and will help keep the tank's ammonia levels down. The plant will grow algae and snails and although this doesn't look real appealing to the human eye, algae are good for the fish and he likes to eat the snails. However be careful when algae starts to grow if it turns blue it can be very harmful to the little fish. The beta's waters should be in between 75-86 F (24-30 C). I am not an expert; however all of this information is based on my personal experience. Remember when buying a Beta to be sure to get an active one that looks healthy and reacts when you pick up the container your local pet store like to sell the fish in. Allow the Beta to adjust to the new water by floating a bag/container on top to the new water after changing for about 20 minutes. The safe pH zone for a Beta is 6.8 - 7.4. Take certain steps when purchasing a Beta from your local pet store:

1) Be sure that the Beta Fish is lively, and reacts to being picked up in a container.

2) Make sure you get the correct water treatment for you Beta Fish

3) Based on experience buy Beta Hikari Betta Bio-Gold pellets not flacks.

4) Make sure to buy a thermometer to constantly monitor the tank water temperature

5) Check the pH of the water often

6) If the beta doesn't eat all of the foods within 15 minutes remove the access to limit ammonia.

7) Beta's breath from the surface, so make sure the water is not to deep and there should be a lot of surface area for the beta to come up and breathe.

8) When cleaning the tank make sure to wash with hot water, do not use cleaning agents or house hold cleaners like sponges. Purchase a face cloth just for the tank and do not wash with laundry detergent, use hot water. Vinegar may be used as long as the cloth and tank are rinsed thoroughly. Be sure to have the beta in a container or a small beta tank with the tank water. Rinse the gravel/rocks and other decorations well with hot water.

9) When putting the beta into the newly cleaned tank, be sure to allow the fish to adjust to the new temperature by putting him in a container that floats of a bag.

10) Keep movement in the water to a minimum and there is no filtration system need. If you add a real live freshwater plant, it will act as a natural filtration system.

11) Be sure to keep the tank covered, betas like to jump.

Learn more about this author, Karen Watson.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about How to care for Japanese Fighting fish or "Betta"?
We want to hear your view. Write now!