Care Guide for Betta Fish – The Best Beginner Pet Fish

Betta fish are also known by the Siamese fighting and Betta splendens names. They are beloved for their bright finnage and friendly personalities. If you’re brand new to the aquarium hobby, this care guide is for you! This guide will help you learn the essentials to keep your first betta fish.

Is It OK to Keep Betta Fish in a Bowl?

If you haven’t bought a small bowl yet, we highly recommend that you get a larger aquarium that holds at least 5 to 10 gallons of water. The more water you have, the more space your fish will have to play and it allows you to last longer between water changes before the water becomes too dirty. Also, it doesn’t cost a lot more to buy a bigger tank, especially if you take advantage of Petco’s “Dollar Per Gallon” aquarium sale (where a 10-gallon tank only costs $10). You can find our complete betta-fish checklist and instructions for tank setup in this blog post.

How Long Should Water Sit Before Adding Fish?

The chlorine in tap water can kill harmful pathogens. It is also fatal to betta fish. You might have heard that chlorine can evaporate by letting it sit for a few hours. But, many cities now use chlormine to treat their water. This does not evaporate. Before you pour your tap water into your tank, make sure to add some water conditioner.

We love Fritz Complete Water Conditioner because it comes with an easy-to-use pump head for quickly removing chlorine and detoxifying ammonia compounds.

Are Bettas in Need of a Heater?

Yes, they do. They prefer temperatures between 80 and 69 degrees F, but they are more active in warm water. A heater can make a betta fish feel lethargic in the United States. They are often kept in rooms that range from 67 to 69 degrees F. For recommendations on heaters, read our article How to Choose the Right Aquarium Heater.

Why Does My Betta Tank Get a Film on Top?

To prevent an oily film of proteins from forming, you need adequate filtration to provide good surface agitation, cleaner water, and improved oxygenation. However, since betta fish usually have long, beautiful fins, they cannot swim in strong currents that will whip them around the aquarium. Your betta will appreciate a gentle sponge filter, or a smaller filter with an adjustable flow speed. This tutorial will show you how to make your first sponge filter.

Sponge filter are a popular choice for betta fish filtration because they’re gentle, reliable and simple to use.

How often should I feed my fish?

Your betta fish should be fed once per day. They should eat as much as possible in a single minute. It is easy to overfeed your betta fish. If he has constipation, he could become more bloated. Begin by giving two main foods to your betta fish: a dedicated bettafish pellet and freeze-dried worms. When you’re ready to add more variety to his diet, get some ideas from our list of 5 betta fish foods you should try.

These tiny floating pellets are specifically formulated to provide the nutrition that bettafish need.

How Often Should I Clean My Betta Tank?

If you followed our previous advice and got a 10-gallon tank for your betta fish, you may only need to clean the aquarium once or twice a month by changing out 30% of the water. You will have to clean your 1-gallon aquarium every two to three days, with 100% water changes. This frequent maintenance can cause a volatile environment which is stressful for your betta fish. It’s similar to having to move every week. The bowl will end up getting clogged up with holidays and deadlines, so you may forget to clean it. The fish will become sick from the waste he has created. You’ll need to spend money and time on medication to save him.

Do Betta Fish Get Lonely?

No, betta fish are actually territorial creatures (hence the nickname “Siamese fighting fish”) and should not be housed with other bettas. However, depending on their temperament, many betta fish can live with other peaceful nano fish, provided that you give them a larger aquarium (at least 10 to 20 gallons in size) with lots of cover and live aquarium plants. Corydoras, smaller tetras and rasboras are some of the recommended roommates. You can see our complete list here of ideal betta tank friends.

Our number one piece of advice is not to cut corners on the care of your betta fish. You should get a larger tank and high-quality equipment and food for your betta fish. You can also continue your education by joining a betta group on Facebook and reading online articles. Armed with more knowledge and experience, you can help your betta can live a long and healthy life!