How to Care for a Beta Fish

Betta Splendens is the Siamese fighting fish most commonly known as a Betta. The Betta is characterized by long, flowing fins and bright, rich hues of reds and blues. Betta males are particularly energetic and even aggressive toward one another. In Siam, bettas were bred to fight so men could bet on the outcome of the fighting. Today, most bettas swim happily in tabletop aquariums or simple glass fish bowls on workers' desks. With proper care and maintenance, a betta can live a long, healthy life providing lively companionship and entertainment.

Things You'll Need

  • 1/2-gallon or larger fish tank or fish bowl
  • Aquarium gravel
  • Aquarium plant
  • Fish net
  • A pH test kit
  • Betta fish food
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Instructions

    • 1
      Bettas are tropical fish and prefer water temperatures around 70 degrees.

      Bettas can survive in water with little oxygen because they are able to get oxygen from the air, rather than from just the water like other fish. Many bettas are perfectly happy in a small glass bowl, but they should be limited to one male betta fish per container since they have a tendency to fight each other. Allow tap water for a betta tank to sit for 24 hours before adding or changing water to the tank, and use a pH kit to check that the pH level of the water is between 6.5 and 7.5. Keep the betta's bowl or tank away from extremes in temperature, and try to maintain the water at about 65 to 75 degrees F.

    • 2
      Introduce a betta to his new environment slowly to avoid shock.

      Acclimate a new betta fish to his tank gradually when you bring it home from the pet store. Set up his fish bowl or aquarium and float the fish bag inside the tank for about 30 minutes. Cut open the bag so the water from the tank and the water from the bag will combine and make the transition more gradual and less stressful for your betta fish. Remove the fish bag when your betta has found his way outside of the bag and into the tank.

    • 3
      You should always feed your betta approved betta fish food.

      Feed your betta fish with store-bought betta fish food, and follow the package instructions carefully to be sure you are feeding your betta in the proper amount. Bettas will eat continuously if food is present, so they can be easy to overfeed. Do not worry if you will be away for a day or two since most bettas can survive without eating for a couple of days. Use a time-release betta food product if you do plan to be away for several days at a time.

    • 4
      A fish net allows you to transport your betta safely between containers during tank cleaning.

      Clean your betta's tank or bowl at least once a week. Use a fish net to safely remove your betta to a temporary container and rinse out the tank to clear away any debris and fish waste.