Beta Fish & Well Water

The beta (or betta) fish, also known as the Siamese fighting fish, is a freshwater tropical fish from Southeast Asia that̵7;s popular as a pet because of its vivid coloration and large flowing fins. Like all aquarium fish, betas need proper water conditions to thrive. Some beta-fish fanciers believe well water is bad for their fish, but those at the Nippyfish.net website say there̵7;s no fundamental difference between water from a well and water from a municipal waterworks when it comes to fish health.

  1. Best Water for Betas

    • Regardless of the source, aquarium water for beta fish needs to conform to certain requirements if the fish are to be healthy, enjoyable pets. Water temperature should be kept between 74 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit and the Ph balance should be kept within 6.5 to 8.0 with 7.0 being ideal, said Nippyfish.net. The water must be free of chlorine and ammonia as these are toxic to beta fish. Do not use water laden with heavy metals, nitrates or hardening minerals.

    Test Your Water

    • Aquarium suppliers sell water test kits you can use to determine if your tap water is suitable for aquarium use, said the BetterBettas.com website. If your tap water proves unsuitable, use bottled natural spring water. Do not use distilled water or water purified by reverse osmosis for keeping beta fish. These purifying methods remove dissolved trace minerals essential for keeping beta gills healthy.

    Condition Your Water

    • If you use tap water for your fish, allow it to sit out for 24 hours so any chlorine can escape and the temperature can equalize with the room temperature. You also may add 1 tsp. of aquarium salt per 2 gallons to help prevent disease. Nippyfish.net said you can use a commercial aquarium water conditioner in your water to remove any traces of chlorine or other toxins that may be present, and use a Ph adjusting kit to ensure the correct balance between acidic and alkaline ions.

    Large Container

    • Beta fish need room to swim, said BetterBettas.com, so their container needs to be of at least 1 gallon capacity, and preferably 2 gallons or more. The container should have substantial surface area because beta fish supplement the oxygen dissolved in the water by sucking in air. In their native habitat, beta fish live in shallow stagnant water so the ability to breathe air as well as water is crucial to survival.

    Keep Water Clean

    • Beta fish thrive best when their water is clean. If you are using a small container, said BetterBettas.com, change the water daily to prevent body wastes and uneaten food from fouling the water, and clean the container with each water change. For large containers of several gallons capacity, use an aquarium filter while changing your water gradually, roughly 20 percent each day.

    Test Often

    • Test aquarium water often for optimal fish health. Ammonia and Ph balance are especially critical for betas. Test for ammonia every other day and change the water if anything beyond a trace is detected. Test Ph balance of the water at every change and adjust if needed.