How to Start a Betta Fish in a Water Lily Environment

The betta or Siamese fighting fish inhabits the South-East Asian region of Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. This fascinating little tropical fish survives in any body of water, including rice paddies. Betta males are very belligerent toward each other and were bred for thousands of years in Thailand, for their fighting ability. Siamese fighting fish have a special organ, termed a labyrinth, in their heads that holds air which they have gulped from the water surface. Despite their ability to survive in oxygen-poor water, bettas in captivity require warm, well-filtered water.

Things You'll Need

  • 20-gallon aquarium
  • Pre-washed aquarium gravel
  • Pre-washed river stones
  • 3-oz. bottle of aquarium neutralizer
  • Aquarium heater, with holder
  • 2-foot long piece of 3/4-inch diameter air tubing
  • Sponge filter
  • Vibrator pump
  • Tropical water lily in pot
  • Glass aquarium stones
  • Male betta
  • Aquarium cleaning magnets
  • Female betta
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place your 20-gallon aquarium onto a solid and level tank stand, near to a window which receives at least five hours of sun daily.

    • 2

      Add a thin layer of pre-washed aquarium gravel to the bottom of the tank.

    • 3

      Place two, pre-washed river stones onto the gravel. Leave sufficient place on the bottom of the aquarium for the tropical water lily pot.

    • 4

      Fill the aquarium with tap water. Pour the water carefully onto the river stones, so as not to disturb the gravel.

    • 5

      Add 2 tsp. of aquarium chlorine neutralizer to the water.

    • 6

      Set an aquarium heater to 75 degrees and push the adhesive suction cups on its holder firmly against the back inside glass pane of the aquarium.

    • 7

      Attach one end of a 2-foot long, 3/4-inch diameter piece of plastic air tubing to the intake stem of a sponge filter. Place the filter in one of the back corners of the aquarium floor.

    • 8

      Push the opposite end of the 2-foot long, 3/4-inch diameter piece of air tubing onto the exhaust nipple of a vibrator pump. Turn the pump on.

    • 9

      Attach a plastic aquarium clamp onto the air line tube and close it, until only a weak stream of the bubbles exits the sponge filter.

    • 10

      Place the potted tropical water lily into the aquarium. Ensure that there is a minimum of 6-inches of water above the rim of the pot. Place the pot on the opposite end of the aquarium next to the sponge filter.

    • 11

      Carefully place a handful of glass aquarium stones onto of the soil in the pot. Cover the soil to prevent it from being disturbed.

    • 12

      Place your betta male into the aquarium. The betta male will use the leaves of the lily to build his bubble nest when you introduce a female for breeding. Remove the female after egg-laying to prevent her from being harassed.

    • 13

      Use an aquarium cleaning magnet to remove algae from the glass at least twice a week. Sun will cause algae to grow more rapidly but is necessary for the lily to grow.