How to Care for a Pet Betta Fish

Betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish and scientifically known as Splendens, are relatively hearty fish. For this reason, you won't have to spend an excessive amount of time carrying for them. With a few inexpensive items from your local pet store, you can make sure your betta stays happy and healthy for a long time. In fact, once you set up your fish bowl, you will just need to feed it and change the water regularly.

Things You'll Need

  • 1-1/2-gallon fish bowl
  • Thermometer
  • 2 pitchers, 1-gallon each
  • Water conditioner
  • Rocks
  • Faux plants
  • Betta pellet food
  • Live food
  • Net
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up your fish bowl before bringing home your betta. Start by filling two 1-gallon pitchers with water. Add one drop of water conditioner from your local pet store to each pitcher. Allow the water to sit for 24 hours, so it can settle and balance to room temperature.

    • 2

      Add rocks and faux plants to the empty fish bowl. These will give your fish places to hide and explore. Pour the conditioned water into the fish bowl.

    • 3

      Check the temperature of the water with a thermometer. It should be between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 4

      Test the water your betta fish came in with your finger to make sure the temperature difference in the water isn't drastically different from the water in your bowl. If it is, allow the two containers to sit near one another for one to two hours, so they can adjust and become closer in temperature to one another.

    • 5

      Carefully transfer your fish from the container you brought it home in to the newly set up fish bowl once the water temperatures are similar.

    • 6

      Feed your betta fish a pellet food designed for bettas. Give your fish between three and four pellets twice daily. Offer your fish live food two to three days a week. Freeze-dried brine shrimp, freeze-dried bloodworms and live black worms are all good choices for your betta.

    • 7

      Clean your betta's fish bowl once weekly. Fill two gallon-sized pitchers with water and a drop of water conditioner each 24 hours before you plan to change the bowl. When the water is ready, scoop your betta up with a fish net, and quickly transfer it to one of your pitchers.

    • 8

      Dump the contents of your fish bowl through a strainer. Rinse the inside of your fish bowl thoroughly with warm water, and wipe it clean with a soft cloth. Rinse the rocks and faux plants under warm water to remove debris and slime.

    • 9

      Place the rocks and plants back into your fish bowl. Refill your fish bowl with the water from your pitchers. Transfer your betta back to the clean bowl with the nest, or carefully pour the fish in with the clean water.