Betta fish, also called Siamese fighting fish, are one of the most popular types of fish found in homes around the world. Its vibrant color and active lifestyle seem to appeal to fish fans as well as those who have never eaten fish before. Betta fish are relatively easy to care for and their low maintenance is particularly attractive to people who want to keep fish but don’t have a lot of time to care for them.
Once you bring your Betta home, you should begin to familiarize yourself with their typical movements and behavior patterns. When you look at your fish after having eaten them for a while, you will know if something is wrong, if they are not feeling well or if the water in their tank is not in the best condition simply by being vigilant.
1. Make sure the jar or bowl that you keep your Betta in is large enough for it to swim and not hit or tear its fins or scales. Also make sure there is enough surface area for you to get enough oxygen.
2. Your Betta will thrive in the cleanest water you can provide. It doesn’t require a filtration system, but you should change a third of your water every three days to keep it fresh and clean and to prevent your finned friend from getting bacterial or fungal infections. Aged water (water that has been sitting for twenty-four hours) is what should be used to replace the old water.
3. Don’t put your Betta fish with other Bettas. They are called Siamese fighting fish because, in fact, they are fighting fish. They will tear each other apart, often killing at least one fish before stopping. Betta can be safely paired with algae eaters, guppies or corydorus catfish.
4. Use a turkey syringe to clean small particles of uneaten food or debris from the bottom of the container or jar. Allowing these debris to settle to the bottom of the jar will make the water cloudy, unsanitary, and smell awful.
5. Your tank’s PH should be exactly 7.0. You can get a PH test kit from your pet store along with solutions to minimize or increase the PH of your water.
6. When cleaning the plants, rocks, or decorations in the container, you should never use soap on them. It is very difficult to completely rinse all the 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 your things.
7. Keep your Betta tank, jar or bowl covered! Your Beta will jump and you don’t want it to end up dropping on the table! Keeping the water level at least two inches from the top of the tank should also reduce this problem.
8. Your Betta fish is a meat eater and likes live foods best, such as brine shrimp. Frozen bloodworms are also a good option for meat eaters. Most Betta fish will happily eat the Betta granules that are sold in most pet stores. For a special treat from time to time, you must offer some live food! You’ll have fun watching him eat it!
9. Do not decorate your Betta bowl with stones or marbles that can cause your Betta to get stuck between or under them. Make sure they are a flat and smooth surface that does not pose any health risk to 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 house is dirty, clean it.
That’s! These ten tips for caring for your Betta fish will help you maintain a healthy fish. Internet Betta groups or library books can be a great source of information if you want to learn more about your finned friend!