How to Care for Male Betta Fish

Male Betta fish, often referred to as Siamese Fighting Fish because of their extreme aggressiveness toward one another, come in many varieties such as Ribbon Tail, Crown Tail, King Crown Tail, Supreme King Crown Tail and Veiltails. What is so attractive about Betta fish is their splendid coloration and the showiness of their tails. Like any other pet, each Betta fish has its own individual personality, which any owner will grow to love immediately.

Things You'll Need

  • Water
  • Container
  • Thermometer
  • Betta food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Provide a proper habitat. The male Betta is quite a hardy fish with a reputation for tolerating poor water conditions if necessary. The difference between surviving and flourishing, however, is great, and a good Betta owner will provide a proper habitat, including a thin layer of cultured gravel.

    • 2
      Socializing fish

      Socialize your fish appropriately. Despite popular belief, male Betta fish can be kept with other fish, just not other Betta fish. Allowing two male Betta in the same tank or bowl will certainly give you ample opportunity to see the full splendor of "flaring," but it will be short-lived. Remember that these are fighting fish and they will fight to the death.

    • 3
      Maintain constant temperature.

      Allow your fish enough space to live happily. Betta fish don't require a large tank to survive. In fact, they can live quite well in small bowls or tanks without filtration or aeration systems in place. In nature, Betta fish live in water with low oxygen content and rice paddies. Because they are tropical fish, they must be kept in warm temperatures. The optimal water temperature range for your Betta fish is 73.4 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 4
      Fresh water

      Keep your water clean. The smaller the container for your Betta, the more frequently it will require water changes. Betta only need to be fed once or twice a day, but the standard rule of not feeding more than your fish will eat in five minutes still applies. The more food waste that is left in the water, the more frequently the water will need to be changed as well. Water should be changed weekly. When changing water, pre-aged water should be used. Pre-aged water is taken from the tap and left to adjust to room temperature, allowing for the chlorine to dissipate before you pour it into your fish tank.

    • 5
      Flake fish food

      Feed your Betta fish the correct food. Overfeeding any fish can cause severe health problems, such as swim bladder, which can affect the quality and length of your fish's life. Usually when fish come from a pet store, they are young and still growing. At this stage in life, the metabolism is high and the fish can eat more frequently because it burns off energy swimming. Feeding small amounts of food two to three times a day would not harm a small, growing fish. As the fish grows, however, it should be fed only one to two times per day so that too many calories are not consumed. Specialized healthy foods meant specifically for Betta fish provide the best diet. An occasional helping of blood worms or brine shrimp would be a nice treat for your fish.