Betta fish, also called Siamese fighting fish, are one of the most popular types of fish found in homes all over the world. Their vibrant color and active lifestyle seem to attract fish fanatics as well as those who have never eaten fish before. Betta fish are relatively easy to care for, and their low maintenance is especially attractive to people who want to eat fish but don’t have a lot of time to care for them.
Once you bring your Betta home, you should start to get to know their typical movements and behavior patterns. When you look at your fish after they have eaten for a while, you will know if something is wrong, if they are not feeling well, or if the water in their bowl is not in the best condition just by paying attention.
1. Make sure the jar or bowl you put your betta fish in is large enough so that it can swim around and not bump or tear its fins or scales. Also, make sure there is plenty of surface area so he can get enough oxygen.
2. Your betta will thrive in the cleanest water you can provide it. It doesn’t need a filtration system, but you should change a third of its water every three days so it stays fresh and clean and prevents your friend from getting bacterial or fungal infections. Aged water (water that has been kept for twenty-four hours) is what should be used to replace the old water.
3. Do not house your betta with other betta fish. They are called Siamese fighting fish because they are, in fact, fighting fish. They will tear each other apart, often causing at least one fish to die before they stop. A Betta can safely mate with algae-eating guppies, or corydorus catfish.
4. Use the turkey baster to brush small particles of uneaten food or debris from the bottom of the bowl or jar. Leaving this debris to sit at the bottom of the jar will make the water cloudy, unhealthy, and smelly.
5. The pH of the tank should be at exactly 7.0. You can get a pH test kit from your pet store along with solutions to lower or increase the pH of your water.
6. When cleaning potted plants, rocks or decorations, you should never use soap on them. It is very difficult to rinse the soap completely off of these items and soap residue can harm or kill your betta. Instead, use warm water and an abrasive brush to clean his things.
7. Keep your pita tank, jar or bowl covered! Your betta will be jumping around and you don’t want him to end up flopping on the tabletop! Maintaining the water level at least two inches from the top of the tank should reduce this problem.
8. Your betta is a carnivore and likes the best live foods, such as brine shrimp. Frozen bloodworms are also a good choice for meat eaters. Most betta fish will happily eat the betta pellets sold at most pet stores. For a special treat now and then, you should serve up some live food! You will enjoy watching him eat it!
9. Do not decorate the betta’s bowl with rocks or marbles that could cause the betta to get trapped between or under it. Make sure it’s a smooth, flat surface and poses no danger to your fish’s health.
10. Remember that your fish is a living, breathing responsibility. You need to feed, clean and care for your betta fish just as you would any other pet. If he’s sick take him to the vet, if he’s hungry feed him, if his house is dirty, clean him up.
That’s it! These 10 betta care tips will get you on your way to maintaining a healthy betta. Internet Betta collections or library books can be a great source of information if you want to know more about your best friend!