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Are betta fish hard to look after?

29 May 2010 5 Comments

And do they need a heater because It says they are tropical but I have seen los of pictures of them in just small bowels.

5 Comments »

  • Aquella said:

    Bettas are not hard to look after, but they do need their basic needs to be met, which is not happening in those bowls.

    Here is what you need to know for your Betta to live a long and happy life:
    1. A 5-gallon cycled ( http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php and http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquarium… )
    tank is minimal for Betta health. Smaller tanks and bowls do not maintain a consistent temperature, and it’s nearly impossible to keep healthy water conditions.
    2. A filter is necessary in any tank in order to keep the water aerated and free of toxins. For Bettas it is best to set the filter flow to low, as they are not very strong swimmers. Another good option is a sponge filter.
    3. A heater is essential. Bettas need warm steady temperatures of about 80F, to thrive. Constant fluctuation leads to stress, which inevitably leads to disease and often death. You can find an inexpensive heater for a small tank at any fish store.
    4. In a 5-gallon or larger tank, weekly 25% water changes, using a gravel siphon are necessary. Water conditioner must be added to the new water before it is put in the tank to remove toxic chlorine, chloramine, metals, etc. Never change all of your Bettas water, as this shock your Betta, and ultimately weaken him.
    5. Bettas enjoy a well planted aquarium, (use live or silk plants, plastic can tear their fins,) with a cave or two for exploring and resting.
    6. Feed your Betta a good staple pellet or flake diet, substituting frozen foods such as brine shrimp and blood worms several times per week. Reserve one day per week for fasting.

    Bettas have been known to live for 10 years. I have personally known them live to for 6.

  • ?life is great anihilates BYB? said:

    Betta’s belong in a tank with a heater and filter never a bowl vase jug

    the tank needs to be cycled and they are not hard work just keep up with water changes and test for ammonia and nitrite regularly and your fine

  • Julie L said:

    Hi- If you have the right equipment and a little knowledge its super easy. My betta lives in a 5 gallon heated, filtered tank. Yes, they do need a heater in most circumstances unless you live somewhere where your house will be in the upper 70s all the time.
    Read up about cycling – its still necessary for a betta.
    I finished the first phase of cycling fishless and then put Moses (my betta) in the tank and it is still cycling but that is better than a bowl. The ammonia levels are low but nitrite can get high so I have to change water often but its fast and easy in my opinion.

  • Lyndsey said:

    Give them a proper tank with a filter and heater. For a betta you need at least 3 gallons of water.
    Keeping them in small bowls is ANIMAL CRUELTY!

  • Eliot said:

    bowls is cruelty!!!!bettas are beautiful fish and i would put them in a 10 gallon tank with an internal filteration system, air pump and of course a heater. bettas live in a tempurature of 75-86 degrees fahrenheit and can be fed tropical fish flakes or frozen food like brine shrimp, and can also feed live food but please not goldfish as this is ilegal to purchase goldfish as food for other fish. bettas are easy to intimedate so be careful, bettas can live with community fish and community fish only. community fish such as: guppies(somtimes) mollys, platys, swordtails, neon tetras, golden tetras and others like gourami

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