Ten
Tips for Caring for Your Betta Fish
By
Adam Short
Betta fish, also
called Siamese fighting fish are one of
the most popular types of fish found in
homes across the world. Their vibrant
color and active lifestyle seems to draw
in fish fanatics as well as those who have
never had fish before. Betta’s are
relatively easy to care for and their low
maintenance is particularly appealing to
people who would like to have fish but
don’t have a lot of time to care for them.
Once you bring your Betta’s home you
should begin to familiarize yourself with
their movements and typical behavior
patterns. When you look at your fish after
you’ve had them for awhile you’ll know if
something is wrong, if they are not
feeling well, or if the water in their
bowl is not in the best condition simply
by being observant.
1. Make sure the jar or bowl that you
keep your Betta in is big enough so that
he can swim around and not bump or tear
his fins or scales. Also be sure there is
plenty of surface area so that he can get
enough oxygen.
2. Your Betta will thrive in the
cleanest water that you can provide for
him. He does not require a filtration
system, but you should change out a third
of his water every three days so it stays
fresh and clean and keeps your finned
friend from getting bacterial or fungal
infections. Aged water (water that has set
out for twenty four hours) is what should
be used to replace the old water.
3. Do not put your Betta fish with
other Betta’s. They are called Siamese
fighting fish because they are, in fact,
fighting fish. They will tear at one
another, often causing the death of at
least one fish before they stop. Betta’s
can be coupled with algae eaters, guppies,
or corydorus catfish safely.
4. Use a turkey baster to clean small
particles of uneaten food or debris from
the bottom of the bowl or jar. Allowing
this debris to sit at the bottom of the
jar will cause the water to become cloudy,
unsanitary, and to smell awful.
5. The PH of your tank should be at
exactly 7.0. You can get a PH testing kit
at your pet store along with solutions to
minimize or increase the PH of your water.
6. When you clean the plants, rocks, or
decorations in the bowl you should never
use soap on them. It’s very hard to
completely rinse all soap from these items
and the soap residue can harm or even kill
your Betta. Instead, use warm water and an
abrasive brush to clean his things.
7. Keep your Betta tank, jar, or bowl
covered! Your Beta will jump and you don’t
want him to end up flopping on the
tabletop! Keeping the water level at least
two inches from the top of the tank should
also cut down on this problem.
8. Your Betta is a meat eater and likes
live foods, such as brine shrimp the best.
Frozen bloodworms are also a good choice
for your meat eater. Most Betta fish will
happily eat the Betta pellets sold at most
pet stores. For a special treat every now
and again you should offer some live food!
You’ll have fun watching him eat it up!
9. Do not decorate your Betta bowl with
rocks or marbles that may cause your Betta
to get stuck between or under them. Be
sure that they are a flat smooth surface
that provides no risk to the health of
your fish.
10. Remember that your fish is a
living, breathing responsibility. You need
to feed, clean, and care for your Betta
just like you would any other pet. If he’s
sick take him to the vet, if he’s hungry
feed him, if his home is dirty, clean it.
That’s it! These ten tips for caring
for your Betta fish will have you well on
your way to keeping a healthy fish.
Internet Betta Groups or library books can
be a great source of information should
you want to learn more about your finned
friend!
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