So You"re Getting a Betta Fish - But Do You Know What to Do?
One thing that amazed me when we first got our Betta fish was how interactive he was.
After only being in his new home for about a week, he started to recognize feeding times and would come racing to my side of the tank whenever he saw anyone with a bottle of his pellets.
I believe that with their flowing fins, vibrant colors, unique personalities, Betta fish offer an experience all of their own when compared to other fish.
Usually, this means a much more fun and interesting experience.
The only problem is that the rewarding factor of owning a Betta is matched by the responsibilities.
That is not to say, however, that taking care of a Betta fish is difficult.
This task does not have to be a difficult one, but is often made that way by some of the incorrect information to get spread across various websites and forums.
This article should serve as a sort of quick start guide to setting up a tank that will accommodate a healthy Betta fish.
First of all, let's talk about tank size.
There are a lot of misconceptions going around today about the native habitat of a Betta fish.
The most upsetting, is that Betta fish live in Rice paddies and therefore will be perfectly fine in a tiny tank because it mimics the puddles they usually live in.
This is so upsetting because in reality these Rice paddies span for tens of miles, and are often more than 1 to 2 feet deep.
When picking out a tank for your Betta, I would buy the largest size practical for your budget and space.
Your fish will appreciate you are around, for example my Betta fish Gilbert absolutely loves his 10 gallon tank.
Now let's talk about setting that tank up.
First, fill the tank with water from your tap.
Use de-chlorination drops to remove hard/harmful minerals from the water (these can be found at any pet store).
Another step before adding your fish, is to maintain proper water temperature.
Betta fish enjoy and function in water between 78 and 84°F.
A fish in water that is too cold will quickly become overly lethargic and inactive.
A fish that is placed in water that is too hot easily become hyperactive, and continuously take desperate trips to the surface for air because the heat and evaporation is depriving your water of oxygen content.
Finally, you need to cycle your tank.
Cycling is a very important step in making sure that chemical levels such as nitrate, nitrate, and ammonia are within livable bounds.
After only being in his new home for about a week, he started to recognize feeding times and would come racing to my side of the tank whenever he saw anyone with a bottle of his pellets.
I believe that with their flowing fins, vibrant colors, unique personalities, Betta fish offer an experience all of their own when compared to other fish.
Usually, this means a much more fun and interesting experience.
The only problem is that the rewarding factor of owning a Betta is matched by the responsibilities.
That is not to say, however, that taking care of a Betta fish is difficult.
This task does not have to be a difficult one, but is often made that way by some of the incorrect information to get spread across various websites and forums.
This article should serve as a sort of quick start guide to setting up a tank that will accommodate a healthy Betta fish.
First of all, let's talk about tank size.
There are a lot of misconceptions going around today about the native habitat of a Betta fish.
The most upsetting, is that Betta fish live in Rice paddies and therefore will be perfectly fine in a tiny tank because it mimics the puddles they usually live in.
This is so upsetting because in reality these Rice paddies span for tens of miles, and are often more than 1 to 2 feet deep.
When picking out a tank for your Betta, I would buy the largest size practical for your budget and space.
Your fish will appreciate you are around, for example my Betta fish Gilbert absolutely loves his 10 gallon tank.
Now let's talk about setting that tank up.
First, fill the tank with water from your tap.
Use de-chlorination drops to remove hard/harmful minerals from the water (these can be found at any pet store).
Another step before adding your fish, is to maintain proper water temperature.
Betta fish enjoy and function in water between 78 and 84°F.
A fish in water that is too cold will quickly become overly lethargic and inactive.
A fish that is placed in water that is too hot easily become hyperactive, and continuously take desperate trips to the surface for air because the heat and evaporation is depriving your water of oxygen content.
Finally, you need to cycle your tank.
Cycling is a very important step in making sure that chemical levels such as nitrate, nitrate, and ammonia are within livable bounds.
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