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BETTA FISH | ADVOCATING FOR PROPER CARE & INFORMATIONCAREDISEASESTANK MATESPLANTSFAQFOOD AND FEEDING The Betta fish, Siamese fighting fish, or betta as it’s known by its genus, is an elegant tropical freshwater fish that is popular as a pet and often housed in eclectic home aquariums. In the wild, native to areas like Cambodia and Thailand, the betta inhabits rice

BETTA FISH FACTS

BETTA FISH CARE

Betta fish come from a tropical climate in Thailand so they require warm water in their tanks. Never let the water in your tank drop below 65 degrees or go above 82 degrees, and try to keep it in the range of 76 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the temperature bettas are happiest and active at. SWIM BLADDER DISEASE IN BETTAS: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES Please note: this page contains affiliate links | Image source Name: Swim Bladder Disease, Swim Bladder Disorder Scientific Name: Dependent on the cause. Secondary symptom. Cause: Usually caused by gastrointestinal problems, overfeeding, parasite activity, a birth defect, egg-binding in female fish, physical trauma, and shock. Visual Betta Symptoms: Buoyancy issues, swollen belly, s-shaped

BETTA FISH DISEASES

Certain behaviors are linked to a stressed or sick betta fish and not necessarily a full-blown disease yet. Identifying these behaviors (listed above) is the easiest way to tell if your betta fish is sick. BETTA FISH PLANTS: BEST LIVE AND FAKE OPTIONS Live plants for betta fish tanks can add oxygen to the water and reduce harmful ammonia and nitrate levels which can stress or even kill your betta. Like fake plants, they provide hiding and resting spaces and can keep betta fish from getting bored. Boredom can BETTA FISH & DROPSY: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, TREATMENT Behavioral Betta Symptoms: Lack of appetite, lethargic, bottom-dwelling, darting to surface for oxygen, laying on their side. Treatment: Antibiotics like Kanamycin Sulfate, or Maracyn II. Betta Fish Dropsy Outlook: Usually fatal. Dropsy in betta fish is not a disease itself, but rather a secondary symptom of another problem going on internally. 439 AMAZING BETTA FISH NAMES Madyson July 2, 2016 . I used to have a male betta fish named Felix. I have 2 cats, Ace and Sunshine, 2 dogs, Dakota and Kia, 1 parrot, Scarlet, 4 horses, Starlight, Caramel, Ginger, and Lucky, 2 pigs, Queen and King, 5 hamsters, Alaska, Snowflake, Dumpling, Carob, and Struedel, one turtle, Forest, 1 cow, Milky, 1 cameleon, Cactus, 1 ferret, Sappire, 2 bunnies, Hopps and Carrot, and 10 BETTA FISH FIN ROT: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, TREATMENT Betta Fin Rot Symptoms. There are stages of fin rot varying from mild to severe which will show differing symptoms and severity. It is always best to catch any visible fin rot signs or symptoms early because it can quickly progress without attention. The Dorsal (top), Caudal (tail) and Anal (bottom) fin are the easiest fins to check and identify if fin rot is affecting your betta. 10 SAFE BETTA FISH TANK MATES & COMPANIONS Tank Size: 10-Gallons or More. The rasbora is a shoaling fish that prefers to live with a school of 5 to 6 in a tank. They’re great tank mates for a betta as long as your tank is 10-gallons or more. This will give them plenty of space for necessary activity. Rasboras

also

BETTA FISH FACTS

BETTA FISH CARE

BETTA FISH DISEASES

also

BETTA FISH DISEASES

Certain behaviors are linked to a stressed or sick betta fish and not necessarily a full-blown disease yet. Identifying these behaviors (listed above) is the easiest way to tell if your betta fish is sick. BETTA FISH PLANTS: BEST LIVE AND FAKE OPTIONS Unlike fake plants, live plants have varying levels of required maintenance and can provide lots of additional benefits. Live plants for betta fish tanks can add oxygen to the water and reduce harmful ammonia and nitrate levels which can stress or even kill your betta.

BETTA FISH ANATOMY

quality one though;

HOW LONG DO BETTA FISH LIVE? AVERAGE LIFESPANS The average betta fish lifespan for male and females is 2-4 years in captivity. How long a betta fish will live depends on a variety of factors though. The two most important elements are how old a betta is when you get him or her, and how they are cared for in captivity. If possible, purchase a betta from a local or online breeder like Aquabid DO BETTA FISH GROW? HOW BIG? Betta fish have an average length of 2.25 inches (5.7 cm) when they are fully grown. On occasion and under the right conditions, a betta fish can grow to as big as 3 inches (7.6 cm) in length. How large your betta will grow will ultimately depend on its age and how it has been cared for. The average life span for a betta fish is 2 to 4 years in MARIMO MOSS BALL: BETTA FISH, BENEFITS & CARE Common Names: Marimo, Mossimo, Moss Ball, Seaweed Ball, Algae Ball, Japanese Moss Ball, Lake Ball, Marimo Moss Ball Scientific Name: Aegagropila Linnaeii Growth Rate: 5 mm (0.2 inches) per year Life Span: Over 100 years! Reproduction: Propagation is most common A marimo moss ball is a filamentous green algae that’s naturally found in Iceland, Japan, Scotland, Estonia and most recently WHY DO BETTA FISH FIGHT? Bryan is the founder of bettafish.org and has been keeping and caring for betta fish for 10 years. His goal is to create a fun, educational, and inspiring community for other betta moms and dads. DO BETTA FISH NEED A FILTER? The absolute minimum size for a betta fish is 2.5 gallons, with the recommended size being 5 gallons or more. Caring for a betta fish without a filter is actually a lot more work. Non-filtered tanks require 1-2 water cycles at around 25% and a full 100% water BETTA FISH | ADVOCATING FOR PROPER CARE & INFORMATIONCAREDISEASESTANK MATESPLANTSFAQFOOD AND FEEDING The Betta fish, Siamese fighting fish, or betta as it’s known by its genus, is an elegant tropical freshwater fish that is popular as a pet and often housed in eclectic home aquariums. In the wild, native to areas like Cambodia and Thailand, the betta inhabits rice

BETTA FISH FACTS

BETTA FISH CARE

BETTA FISH DISEASES

Certain behaviors are linked to a stressed or sick betta fish and not necessarily a full-blown disease yet. Identifying these behaviors (listed above) is the easiest way to tell if your betta fish is sick. SWIM BLADDER DISEASE IN BETTAS: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES Please note: this page contains affiliate links | Image source Name: Swim Bladder Disease, Swim Bladder Disorder Scientific Name: Dependent on the cause. Secondary symptom. Cause: Usually caused by gastrointestinal problems, overfeeding, parasite activity, a birth defect, egg-binding in female fish, physical trauma, and shock. Visual Betta Symptoms: Buoyancy issues, swollen belly, s-shaped BETTA FISH PLANTS: BEST LIVE AND FAKE OPTIONS Live plants for betta fish tanks can add oxygen to the water and reduce harmful ammonia and nitrate levels which can stress or even kill your betta. Like fake plants, they provide hiding and resting spaces and can keep betta fish from getting bored. Boredom can BETTA FISH & DROPSY: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, TREATMENT Behavioral Betta Symptoms: Lack of appetite, lethargic, bottom-dwelling, darting to surface for oxygen, laying on their side. Treatment: Antibiotics like Kanamycin Sulfate, or Maracyn II. Betta Fish Dropsy Outlook: Usually fatal. Dropsy in betta fish is not a disease itself, but rather a secondary symptom of another problem going on internally. 439 AMAZING BETTA FISH NAMES Madyson July 2, 2016 . I used to have a male betta fish named Felix. I have 2 cats, Ace and Sunshine, 2 dogs, Dakota and Kia, 1 parrot, Scarlet, 4 horses, Starlight, Caramel, Ginger, and Lucky, 2 pigs, Queen and King, 5 hamsters, Alaska, Snowflake, Dumpling, Carob, and Struedel, one turtle, Forest, 1 cow, Milky, 1 cameleon, Cactus, 1 ferret, Sappire, 2 bunnies, Hopps and Carrot, and 10 BETTA FISH FIN ROT: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, TREATMENT Betta Fin Rot Symptoms. There are stages of fin rot varying from mild to severe which will show differing symptoms and severity. It is always best to catch any visible fin rot signs or symptoms early because it can quickly progress without attention. The Dorsal (top), Caudal (tail) and Anal (bottom) fin are the easiest fins to check and identify if fin rot is affecting your betta. 10 SAFE BETTA FISH TANK MATES & COMPANIONS Tank Size: 10-Gallons or More. The rasbora is a shoaling fish that prefers to live with a school of 5 to 6 in a tank. They’re great tank mates for a betta as long as your tank is 10-gallons or more. This will give them plenty of space for necessary activity. Rasboras

also

BETTA FISH FACTS

BETTA FISH CARE

BETTA FISH DISEASES

Certain behaviors are linked to a stressed or sick betta fish and not necessarily a full-blown disease yet. Identifying these behaviors (listed above) is the easiest way to tell if your betta fish is sick. SWIM BLADDER DISEASE IN BETTAS: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES Please note: this page contains affiliate links | Image source Name: Swim Bladder Disease, Swim Bladder Disorder Scientific Name: Dependent on the cause. Secondary symptom. Cause: Usually caused by gastrointestinal problems, overfeeding, parasite activity, a birth defect, egg-binding in female fish, physical trauma, and shock. Visual Betta Symptoms: Buoyancy issues, swollen belly, s-shaped BETTA FISH PLANTS: BEST LIVE AND FAKE OPTIONS Live plants for betta fish tanks can add oxygen to the water and reduce harmful ammonia and nitrate levels which can stress or even kill your betta. Like fake plants, they provide hiding and resting spaces and can keep betta fish from getting bored. Boredom can BETTA FISH & DROPSY: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, TREATMENT Behavioral Betta Symptoms: Lack of appetite, lethargic, bottom-dwelling, darting to surface for oxygen, laying on their side. Treatment: Antibiotics like Kanamycin Sulfate, or Maracyn II. Betta Fish Dropsy Outlook: Usually fatal. Dropsy in betta fish is not a disease itself, but rather a secondary symptom of another problem going on internally. 439 AMAZING BETTA FISH NAMES Madyson July 2, 2016 . I used to have a male betta fish named Felix. I have 2 cats, Ace and Sunshine, 2 dogs, Dakota and Kia, 1 parrot, Scarlet, 4 horses, Starlight, Caramel, Ginger, and Lucky, 2 pigs, Queen and King, 5 hamsters, Alaska, Snowflake, Dumpling, Carob, and Struedel, one turtle, Forest, 1 cow, Milky, 1 cameleon, Cactus, 1 ferret, Sappire, 2 bunnies, Hopps and Carrot, and 10 BETTA FISH FIN ROT: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, TREATMENT Betta Fin Rot Symptoms. There are stages of fin rot varying from mild to severe which will show differing symptoms and severity. It is always best to catch any visible fin rot signs or symptoms early because it can quickly progress without attention. The Dorsal (top), Caudal (tail) and Anal (bottom) fin are the easiest fins to check and identify if fin rot is affecting your betta. 10 SAFE BETTA FISH TANK MATES & COMPANIONS Tank Size: 10-Gallons or More. The rasbora is a shoaling fish that prefers to live with a school of 5 to 6 in a tank. They’re great tank mates for a betta as long as your tank is 10-gallons or more. This will give them plenty of space for necessary activity. Rasboras

also

BETTA FISH PLANTS: BEST LIVE AND FAKE OPTIONS Unlike fake plants, live plants have varying levels of required maintenance and can provide lots of additional benefits. Live plants for betta fish tanks can add oxygen to the water and reduce harmful ammonia and nitrate levels which can stress or even kill your betta.

ABOUT | BETTA FISH

Hey betta lover, my name is Bryan C. (founder of bettafish.org) and I’ve been caring for and keeping betta fish for over 8 years. I’d like to extend you a warm welcome to the best community and informational place to learn all about this wonderful tropical, freshwater fish. The betta fish is a very popular

BETTA FISH ANATOMY

quality one though;

BEST BETTA FISH FOOD Ranked in order, the best betta food is live, frozen, freeze-dried, pellets, and flakes. Feeding a variety of different foods will provide the array of nutrients a betta fish needs to thrive. How much to feed your betta fish can depend on their individual activity level, but 2-3 pellets 1-2 times daily is a safe amount. BETTA FISH & ICH: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, TREATMENT Please note: this page contains affiliate links. Name: Ich/Ick Scientific Name: Ichthyophthirius Multifiliis Cause: Poor water quality, stress, or introducing a contagious tank mate Visual Symptoms: Small white dots on the body, fins, or gills resembling sugar granules Behavioral Symptoms: Rubbing against objects in the aquarium Betta Fish Ich Treatment: Medicine and clean water DO BETTA FISH GROW? HOW BIG? Betta fish have an average length of 2.25 inches (5.7 cm) when they are fully grown. On occasion and under the right conditions, a betta fish can grow to as big as 3 inches (7.6 cm) in length. How large your betta will grow will ultimately depend on its age and how it has been cared for. The average life span for a betta fish is 2 to 4 years in WHY DO BETTA FISH MAKE BUBBLES? Reasons Why A Betta May Not Make A Bubble Nest –. Current age and level of health. Strong filtration units causing strong water current. Poor water quality and cleanliness. Water temperature is too cold (ideal is 78-82 degrees Fahrenheit) Lack of plants, decor, or surface debris. Properly caring for a betta fish does go a long way in MARIMO MOSS BALL: BETTA FISH, BENEFITS & CARE Common Names: Marimo, Mossimo, Moss Ball, Seaweed Ball, Algae Ball, Japanese Moss Ball, Lake Ball, Marimo Moss Ball Scientific Name: Aegagropila Linnaeii Growth Rate: 5 mm (0.2 inches) per year Life Span: Over 100 years! Reproduction: Propagation is most common A marimo moss ball is a filamentous green algae that’s naturally found in Iceland, Japan, Scotland, Estonia and most recently BETTA FISH | ADVOCATING FOR PROPER CARE & INFORMATIONCAREDISEASESTANK MATESPLANTSFAQFOOD AND FEEDING The Betta fish, Siamese fighting fish, or betta as it’s known by its genus, is an elegant tropical freshwater fish that is popular as a pet and often housed in eclectic home aquariums. In the wild, native to areas like Cambodia and Thailand, the betta inhabits rice

BETTA FISH FACTS

BETTA FISH CARE

BETTA FISH DISEASES

quality one though;

WHAT KIND OF WATER FOR BETTA FISH? Betta Fish & Water pH Levels. It’s important to keep pH in mind when establishing a new tank or changing out the water. Betta fish prefer a pH between 6.5 and 8 but can tolerate slightly more acidic water if the change is made gradually. For the most part, water will maintain a pH near 7, which is considered neutral. 10 SAFE BETTA FISH TANK MATES & COMPANIONS Tank Size: 10-Gallons or More. The rasbora is a shoaling fish that prefers to live with a school of 5 to 6 in a tank. They’re great tank mates for a betta as long as your tank is 10-gallons or more. This will give them plenty of space for necessary activity. Rasboras

also

BETTA FISH FACTS

BETTA FISH CARE

BETTA FISH DISEASES

quality one though;

also

ABOUT | BETTA FISH

BETTA FISH ANATOMY

Female Betta Fish Anatomy. Female betta fish are roughly the same average length as males (up to 3 inches), but their bodies are generally thinner. Possessing duller colorings than males, however, females are not without their own beauty. And just like males, females have awesome personalities. BETTA FISH & DROPSY: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, TREATMENT Behavioral Betta Symptoms: Lack of appetite, lethargic, bottom-dwelling, darting to surface for oxygen, laying on their side. Treatment: Antibiotics like Kanamycin Sulfate, or Maracyn II. Betta Fish Dropsy Outlook: Usually fatal. Dropsy in betta fish is not a disease itself, but rather a secondary symptom of another problem going on internally. BETTA FISH FIN ROT: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, TREATMENT Betta Fin Rot Symptoms. There are stages of fin rot varying from mild to severe which will show differing symptoms and severity. It is always best to catch any visible fin rot signs or symptoms early because it can quickly progress without attention. The Dorsal (top), Caudal (tail) and Anal (bottom) fin are the easiest fins to check and identify if fin rot is affecting your betta. BETTA FISH & ICH: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, TREATMENT Please note: this page contains affiliate links. Name: Ich/Ick Scientific Name: Ichthyophthirius Multifiliis Cause: Poor water quality, stress, or introducing a contagious tank mate Visual Symptoms: Small white dots on the body, fins, or gills resembling sugar granules Behavioral Symptoms: Rubbing against objects in the aquarium Betta Fish Ich Treatment: Medicine and clean water BEST BETTA FISH FOOD Ranked in order, the best betta food is live, frozen, freeze-dried, pellets, and flakes. Feeding a variety of different foods will provide the array of nutrients a betta fish needs to thrive. How much to feed your betta fish can depend on their individual activity level, but 2-3 pellets 1-2 times daily is a safe amount. WHY DO BETTA FISH MAKE BUBBLES? Reasons Why A Betta May Not Make A Bubble Nest –. Current age and level of health. Strong filtration units causing strong water current. Poor water quality and cleanliness. Water temperature is too cold (ideal is 78-82 degrees Fahrenheit) Lack of plants, decor, or surface debris. Properly caring for a betta fish does go a long way in HOW LONG DO BETTA FISH LIVE? AVERAGE LIFESPANS The average betta fish lifespan for male and females is 2-4 years in captivity. How long a betta fish will live depends on a variety of factors though. The two most important elements are how old a betta is when you get him or her, and how they are cared for in captivity. If possible, purchase a betta from a local or online breeder like Aquabid BETTA FISH ACCLIMATION Please note: this post contains affiliate links. Betta fish and new tank mate acclimation is very, very important! If you just bought a betta fish and you’re thinking okay now what, you should be thinking acclimation. Everyone gets excited for a new betta no matter if it’s

the first or

BETTA FISH CARE

Instantly make your betta fish happier with this easy to follow betta fish care guide. Learn about water, food, and habitat requirements.

BETTA FISH FACTS

BETTA FISH DISEASES

quality one though;

BETTA FISH FIN ROT: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, TREATMENT Betta Fin Rot Symptoms. There are stages of fin rot varying from mild to severe which will show differing symptoms and severity. It is always best to catch any visible fin rot signs or symptoms early because it can quickly progress without attention. The Dorsal (top), Caudal (tail) and Anal (bottom) fin are the easiest fins to check and identify if fin rot is affecting your betta. WHAT KIND OF WATER FOR BETTA FISH? The type of water you put in your betta fish’s tank can have a major impact on their health. Water might look the same, whether it comes from your faucet or from a bottle you buy at the store. But, just like the air we breathe, the water betta fish live in needs to be 10 SAFE BETTA FISH TANK MATES & COMPANIONS Betta fish can have tank mates with the right size aquarium and care. Learn about 10 different fish that can live with betta fish as friendly companions. BETTA FISH | ADVOCATING FOR PROPER CARE & INFORMATIONCAREDISEASESTANK MATESPLANTSFAQFOOD AND FEEDING The Betta fish, Siamese fighting fish, or betta as it’s known by its genus, is an elegant tropical freshwater fish that is popular as a pet and often housed in eclectic home aquariums. In the wild, native to areas like Cambodia and Thailand, the betta inhabits rice

BETTA FISH CARE

Instantly make your betta fish happier with this easy to follow betta fish care guide. Learn about water, food, and habitat requirements.

BETTA FISH FACTS

BETTA FISH DISEASES

quality one though;

BETTA FISH FIN ROT: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, TREATMENT Betta Fin Rot Symptoms. There are stages of fin rot varying from mild to severe which will show differing symptoms and severity. It is always best to catch any visible fin rot signs or symptoms early because it can quickly progress without attention. The Dorsal (top), Caudal (tail) and Anal (bottom) fin are the easiest fins to check and identify if fin rot is affecting your betta. WHAT KIND OF WATER FOR BETTA FISH? The type of water you put in your betta fish’s tank can have a major impact on their health. Water might look the same, whether it comes from your faucet or from a bottle you buy at the store. But, just like the air we breathe, the water betta fish live in needs to be 10 SAFE BETTA FISH TANK MATES & COMPANIONS Betta fish can have tank mates with the right size aquarium and care. Learn about 10 different fish that can live with betta fish as friendly companions. BETTA FISH PLANTS: BEST LIVE AND FAKE OPTIONS Unlike fake plants, live plants have varying levels of required maintenance and can provide lots of additional benefits. Live plants for betta fish tanks can add oxygen to the water and reduce harmful ammonia and nitrate levels which can stress or even kill your betta.

ABOUT | BETTA FISH

BETTA FISH ANATOMY

Knowing your betta fish's anatomy is part of being a good caretaker. See the internal, external, and different characteristics of male and

female bettas.

BETTA FISH FIN ROT: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, TREATMENT Betta Fin Rot Symptoms. There are stages of fin rot varying from mild to severe which will show differing symptoms and severity. It is always best to catch any visible fin rot signs or symptoms early because it can quickly progress without attention. The Dorsal (top), Caudal (tail) and Anal (bottom) fin are the easiest fins to check and identify if fin rot is affecting your betta. BETTA FISH & DROPSY: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, TREATMENT Name: Fish Dropsy Scientific Name: Depends on what caused it. It’s a secondary symptom Cause: Usually caused by a virus, bacterial infection or parasite Visual Betta Symptoms: Extreme body swelling/bloat in stomach and pineconing of scales Behavioral Betta Symptoms: Lack of appetite, lethargic, bottom-dwelling, darting to surface for oxygen, laying on their side BEST BETTA FISH FOOD Best Betta Fish Food: Dietary Requirements. Betta fish are classified as carnivores, and eat insects in the wild. The best betta food replicates these specific dietary needs without a BETTA FISH & ICH: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, TREATMENT Please note: this page contains affiliate links. Name: Ich/Ick Scientific Name: Ichthyophthirius Multifiliis Cause: Poor water quality, stress, or introducing a contagious tank mate Visual Symptoms: Small white dots on the body, fins, or gills resembling sugar granules Behavioral Symptoms: Rubbing against objects in the aquarium Betta Fish Ich Treatment: Medicine and clean water BETTA FISH ACCLIMATION Please note: this post contains affiliate links. Betta fish and new tank mate acclimation is very, very important! If you just bought a betta fish and you’re thinking okay now what, you should be thinking acclimation. Everyone gets excited for a new betta no matter if it’s

the first or

HOW LONG DO BETTA FISH LIVE? AVERAGE LIFESPANS Food. Provide rich and abundant food that’s high in protein and fiber. Most betta fish won’t even touch regular tropical fish flakes because this food is inadequate to their needs. While betta pellets are a great start, you should also be incorporating freeze-dried, frozen, or live bloodworms and brine shrimp to really get all of the nutrients they need. WHY DO BETTA FISH MAKE BUBBLES? Bubble Nest Motivation (how to encourage making one) Different stimuli have been associated with nest building behavior. These may include changes in temperature, fluctuations in rainfall, barometric changes, tank materials, and the presence of females, or even other males. BETTA FISH | ADVOCATING FOR PROPER CARE & INFORMATIONCAREDISEASESTANK MATESPLANTSFAQFOOD AND FEEDING The Betta fish, Siamese fighting fish, or betta as it’s known by its genus, is an elegant tropical freshwater fish that is popular as a pet and often housed in eclectic home aquariums. In the wild, native to areas like Cambodia and Thailand, the betta inhabits rice

BETTA FISH CARE

Instantly make your betta fish happier with this easy to follow betta fish care guide. Learn about water, food, and habitat requirements.

BETTA FISH FACTS

BETTA FISH DISEASES

quality one though;

BETTA FISH CARE

Instantly make your betta fish happier with this easy to follow betta fish care guide. Learn about water, food, and habitat requirements.

BETTA FISH FACTS

BETTA FISH DISEASES

quality one though;

BETTA FISH FIN ROT: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, TREATMENT Betta Fin Rot Symptoms. There are stages of fin rot varying from mild to severe which will show differing symptoms and severity. It is always best to catch any visible fin rot signs or symptoms early because it can quickly progress without attention. The Dorsal (top), Caudal (tail) and Anal (bottom) fin are the easiest fins to check and identify if fin rot is affecting your betta. WHAT KIND OF WATER FOR BETTA FISH? The type of water you put in your betta fish’s tank can have a major impact on their health. Water might look the same, whether it comes from your faucet or from a bottle you buy at the store. But, just like the air we breathe, the water betta fish live in needs to be 10 SAFE BETTA FISH TANK MATES & COMPANIONS Betta fish can have tank mates with the right size aquarium and care. Learn about 10 different fish that can live with betta fish as friendly companions. BETTA FISH PLANTS: BEST LIVE AND FAKE OPTIONS Unlike fake plants, live plants have varying levels of required maintenance and can provide lots of additional benefits. Live plants for betta fish tanks can add oxygen to the water and reduce harmful ammonia and nitrate levels which can stress or even kill your betta.

ABOUT | BETTA FISH

BETTA FISH ANATOMY

Knowing your betta fish's anatomy is part of being a good caretaker. See the internal, external, and different characteristics of male and

female bettas.

BETTA FISH FIN ROT: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, TREATMENT Betta Fin Rot Symptoms. There are stages of fin rot varying from mild to severe which will show differing symptoms and severity. It is always best to catch any visible fin rot signs or symptoms early because it can quickly progress without attention. The Dorsal (top), Caudal (tail) and Anal (bottom) fin are the easiest fins to check and identify if fin rot is affecting your betta. BETTA FISH & DROPSY: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, TREATMENT Name: Fish Dropsy Scientific Name: Depends on what caused it. It’s a secondary symptom Cause: Usually caused by a virus, bacterial infection or parasite Visual Betta Symptoms: Extreme body swelling/bloat in stomach and pineconing of scales Behavioral Betta Symptoms: Lack of appetite, lethargic, bottom-dwelling, darting to surface for oxygen, laying on their side BEST BETTA FISH FOOD Best Betta Fish Food: Dietary Requirements. Betta fish are classified as carnivores, and eat insects in the wild. The best betta food replicates these specific dietary needs without a BETTA FISH & ICH: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, TREATMENT Please note: this page contains affiliate links. Name: Ich/Ick Scientific Name: Ichthyophthirius Multifiliis Cause: Poor water quality, stress, or introducing a contagious tank mate Visual Symptoms: Small white dots on the body, fins, or gills resembling sugar granules Behavioral Symptoms: Rubbing against objects in the aquarium Betta Fish Ich Treatment: Medicine and clean water BETTA FISH ACCLIMATION Please note: this post contains affiliate links. Betta fish and new tank mate acclimation is very, very important! If you just bought a betta fish and you’re thinking okay now what, you should be thinking acclimation. Everyone gets excited for a new betta no matter if it’s

the first or

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DO BETTA FISH NEED A FILTER?

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BETTA FISH

The Betta fish, Siamese fighting fish, or betta as it’s known by its genus, is an elegant tropical freshwater fish that is popular as a pet and often housed in eclectic home aquariums. In the wild, native to areas like Cambodia and Thailand, the betta inhabits rice paddies and still watered canals. The ones you see in pet stores are quite different too in both color and size, with wild betta fish having much smaller fins and being predominantly colored in a dull green or brown appearance.They’re a wonderful first pet to teach children the responsibility of caring for something, and are inexpensive to purchase and maintain. Males and females look drastically different from each other, with males exhibiting the longer beautiful flowing fins. Females are much smaller in size and fin length. With proper care bettas can live anywhere from 2 to 4 years, with some owners having noted lifespans that extended into their teens. Pretty neat huh?

SOME HISTORY

Let’s explore more of the history of the betta and why everyone knows them for fighting their own kind. Back in the mid to late 1800’s, the King of Thailand took an interest in the betta because of the species’ territorial nature and fighting instinct. Natives would collect and breed them specifically for fighting matches and this caught the attention of the King for sport. The King would keep his victors close and became so engrossed in the sport that he later sanctioned regular events, taxes, and bets were even placed on

the fights.

Despite many believing that bettas fight to the death, that’s not always the case. Typical fights between bettas last only a few minutes before one decides to retreat or dies. This explains why bets were placed on the bravery of each fish back in the 1800’s rather than who would survive the other. After tiring from battle, one betta will retreat signaling victory to other. Because the betta’s natural environment in the wild would change so often, they developed the ability to intake oxygen from both the water and the air. This genetic evolutionary trait allows the species to live in water that contains very little oxygen. If you have a betta as a pet you will see that they come to the surface often to suck air from outside the water. Believe it or not, but a betta can survive outside the water for a period of time as long as they remain wet. There are many pet owner stories of betta’s jumping out of their tanks and surviving for more than a day outside

of their tanks.

BEHAVIORAL CHARACTERISTICS Fish are most known for traveling in large packs or schools, however the betta prefers to be independent both in captivity and the wild. This is the reason that in captivity and placed in the same tank, male bettas will fight with one another. Oddly enough some bettas don’t

fight at all.

In the wild this species has more room to be independent and retreat, but in a tank this can lead to territorial matches. After breeding fighting can also occur by a male against the female and therefore they should be separated immediately after. If a male betta becomes bored, it may start to bite at it’s own fins which can lead to disease. A tank that is at the very least 2 gallons and contains plants and hiding spots is recommended to prevent this. Betta fish can live with other fish and play nice so long as the other fish have small fins. Other inhabitants that have bright colors and large fins will often prompt the betta to start biting and

killing these fish.

Female bettas in larger groups can actually live together in the same tank as long as it is at least 10 gallons in size. Caution should still be exercised and the owner will need to monitor the ‘sorority’ of female bettas to ensure that they do not start to fight each other. If one fish seems to be the aggressor, she may need to be removed and transported to a new tank by herself. Males and females like to put on shows as they flare their gills out in an effort to attract the opposite sex or as an act of intimidation. When inside a tank, the betta will flare out its gills if it feels threatened or gets frightened. This can be seen by approaching the tank very quickly, or when a male is building and protecting its

bubble nest.

Another characteristic when frightened is the appearance of horizontal lines on the bettas sides. The exact opposite, or vertical lines, are prominently displayed during a females attempt to show health and

mating readiness.

10 INTERESTING FACTS * Betta fish like warm water and will do best at around 79 degrees. * Science accounts for a total of 73 species of the betta in the world, with several according to the IUCN Red List

being endangered.

* Overfeeding your betta may lead to the fish not being able to swim to deeper depths of the tank as it becomes obese and bloated. Overfeeding will also lead to an unhealthy and dirty tank much

quicker.

* Breeders have developed variations in colors and fins over time to appeal to pet owners. * They are a carnivorous species which means they love meat! To ensure proper health and diet, make sure all pellets are high in fish

or shrimp.

* Bettas have a unique organ called the labyrinth to breathe air outside of the water. * Males build bubble nests on the surface of the water to attract females, even if one is not in the tank. * Bettas like to jump and sometimes jump right out of the tank! Make sure you have a lid. * Microsoft, Inc. has used pictures of bettas on desktop backgrounds during the beta tests of their newer Windows operating systems. This also sheds light on the commonly misspelled name. * After mating, the male chases the female away and protects the eggs and the bubble nest where they were laid. If the female is allowed to stay for extended period of time she will begin eating the eggs that she spawned. ANATOMY OF THE BETTA FISH The most unique part of the betta is the labyrinth organ mentioned above. Over time and from living in harsh shallow water environments such as the rice paddies, the betta evolved and is now able to suck air from the water’s surface and immediately absorb the oxygen into the body. Without this adaptation the betta species may not have been able to survive. Both males and females have an elongated body and vary in color in the wild and in captivity depending on breeding. Their stomachs are extremely tiny and this needs to be taken into consideration when feeding your betta. To put this into some perspective, bettas have two eyes and their stomach is roughly the size of one of their eyes! All bettas also have visible fins, and gills which are used to consume oxygen into the body from the water. Lastly, you might wonder how a betta is able to sleep while submerged. The use of the swim bladder allows bettas to control their depth in the water by inflating or deflating this bladder inside their bodies. Suffering from SBD or swim bladder disease

is actually

quite common and can result from overfeeding. When you break down all the parts of the betta, they are one awesome fish.

MISCONCEPTIONS

Despite Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) being sold in pet stores and given as gifts in small cups and vases, they need a larger habitat if they are going to live a healthy and long life. Bettas can also inhabit tanks with other fish species. Bettas also cannot sustain a healthy life by living in a vase and feeding off of the roots of a plant like many believe is the case. This lack of education on behalf of owners leads to what PETA calls

,

“being sentenced to a dull, lonely, and slow death from starvation.” Bettas are omnivores in nature, and therefore in captivity need meats and other nutrients to remain healthy. While the betta can survive at room temperature water, it may impair their immune system or lead to inactivity if the water becomes too cold. Since they thrive at around 79 degrees, it’s important to remember that the air around the tank is always at least a few degrees higher than the actual water temperature. The average room temperature in a home is 68 degrees, so it’s crucial that you have a heater in colder months if the water temperature drops too low. Failure to do so could lead to health

concerns.

Another misconception is that the betta fish does not need a filter because it is used to living in stagnant and dirty water (e.g. large puddles). Ammonia however builds up in the tank from defecation and can hurt the fish over time through fin rot and other diseases. This leaves you with two options which are either to change the water often, or install a filter to remove the toxins from the water. The safest way to maintain the healthiest environment is through the use of a slow and gentle filter to prevent their fins from getting sucked

into it.

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202 RESPONSES

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Hailey July 5, 2016

What kind of Betta fish do you have?

*

Isabel October 1, 2016 I have a male black dragon scaled Crowntail, a male Marbling Half-moon, 2 Crowntail females (one black, the other multicolored), and 3 Veiltail females. The Females live in a sorority tank and the males each have their own 3 gallon tanks.

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Easton February 15, 2017

Is a 0.7gallon good

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Kallee March 26, 2018 I have 2 male Veiltails and my brother has 1 half-moon midnight & nut-beam Mathew

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Marina June 11, 2018 A male Delta tail named Sushi.a red and blue Delta tail named sushi.

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Sarah April 23, 2019 Hey, I have a new tank and the pellets keep sinking. What’s the best non sinking pellet to get?

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Bryan April 26, 2019 Please see the food page .

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Lexi November 29, 2016 i had one Betta for a year his name was Harold.

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Adam October 1, 2017 My betta’s name is Albert.

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Riki October 15, 2017 I have two( In different tanks). Their names are King twilight and he is a pale yellow veil tail male. I also have a blue, red, green, veil tail male and his name is Sir niculos fluffy paws.

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jazztastic girl December 20, 2017 i have a community egg layer. she kinda looks chinese to me

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Kallee March 26, 2018 Mine are named Midnight & Nut-beam

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Timothy May 6, 2018

Mine is Nero

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Jack June 28, 2018

It still is named Harold. King Harold now

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Elaina April 16, 2019 I got a blue , green , and black baby betta today , her name is Bella and she loves to swim around and around a coral insert with plants sticking out ( fake plants )

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Patty May 6, 2017

I have a beautiful crown tail male….what I would like to know is one pet store told me I could give him some brine shrimp (occasioally) along with his pellets…..another said not to give him any shrimp,,,,what should i do? He is in a 5 tank with 2 snails, he seems to be happy. Thank you so much, patty

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Bryan May 6, 2017

Hi Patty, you can definitely feed him brine shrimp. The best betta diet is varied, and many pellets are not of the highest quality. Check out our food and feeding page for more information if you’d like.

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Jocelyn October 1, 2017 I have a double tail male. pink,purple,blue,red and white

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Darlene Scouten October 18, 2018 I have a blue male named Catfood

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Sara g August 1, 2017 I know it’s a blue male but I’m not sure what specific species. I need to get more educated on it but I love this fish.

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jazztastic girl December 20, 2017 same i love fish too. mine is purple,light blue,pink and white

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Anonymous March 16, 2018 Veil tail and half moon and everything else everyone is talking about is mostly the tail type.

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Adam October 1, 2017 I have a beautiful halfmoon betta. It is a very vibrant blue color, and I have only had him for a day. I am keeping him in a 1 gallon plastic fish bowl, with 1 pound of small pebbles in the tank. I used water conditioner in tap water so that the he won’t die I guess… I feed him 2 pellets in the morning and 2 pellets in the afternoon. I hope I am taking good care of him, because I killed 2 bettas within the first month of owning them, so I don’t want that to happen to

this guy.

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Bryan October 7, 2017 Hi Adam, you’re doing well on everything except for the size of the tank. A 1 gallon tank is too small for permanent housing and is very hard to keep a healthy betta. Ammonia builds up quickly and will reduce the betta’s immune function and he will get sick easier. I recommend getting a tank that is 3 gallons or larger and doing proper water changes and cycling.

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Anonymous April 3, 2019 you might want to feed them a little bit more but DONT over feed them.

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heather June 27, 2019 a starter tank w kit is a good place to start. the bigger the better. Well, you dont need a 20 gallon! They come with ALMOST everything you’ll need to have one nest building buddy. Don’t forget the gravel vacuum.or the decor which really should mimic nature, as the colors can stress him out and compete with his beautious self

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Tyrone G Asterino October 9, 2017 Her name is Shima. She is brown….

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jazztastic girl December 20, 2017 i have a community egg layer. she kinda looks chinese to me

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sofia January 30, 2018

delta tail. u

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Kallee March 26, 2018

Male Veiltail X2

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Anonymous April 18, 2018 My cousin has a bettafish

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Paul May 4, 2018

I have a Red Crowntail that is very aggressive.

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Anonymous June 11, 2018 A male Delta tail named Sushi.

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MaryBear August 13, 2018 I have read quite a few of the comments here…so am making changes for the better. I have a Male Half Moon Betta named Gomez. He came to live with me a few days ago and is in his 1 1/2 gallon tank. After reading stuff here, I have now ordered a 3-4 gallon tank from Amazon…and when it arrives, I will go to our local Pet Shop and buy a heater geared for its size. The tank has a filter already, so that is good. Everything else, I have already put into the works for him…the water testing, etc. Live plants…

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Anonymous September 21, 2018 Can I be one of your fish? Sounds like beta heaven!

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Anonymous August 22, 2018 I have a half moon betta.

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Theresa September 1, 2018 My daughter’s have had several bettas. We love them. Beautiful and easy. Many different names: Throwing Marbles, Ruby, Pluto, Sneak Thief, Food Catcher, and the current one Sea Fire for just a few.

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Amelia October 23, 2018 I have a beautiful Crowntail Betta, his name is Issac and he is a very nice ombre of purple, blue, and red. He’s super active and I’m planning on breading him soon. How about yourself?

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Gayle November 21, 2018 I have a male and female that I saved. A friend posted on line that she wanted someone to take them. They were crammed into a one gallon tank, no filter, no heater. Not even names. They are now in a 3 gallon heated and filtered tank and named Eve & Roarke.

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Anonymous April 3, 2019 that is amazing that you saved them.

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Lindsay February 12, 2019 I’m not sure what type of betta I have, not a crown tail or a half moon, he just has long fins and he’s red. His name is Rojo, and he lives in my sons room and has been a great first pet for my son. He definitely recognizes me, my mom and my son. He’s in a gallon tank with no heater, filter and fake plants and smooth rocks placed in a way to give him hiding spots. I need to upgrade it since he is starting to get fin rot I’ve been a bad betta owner… at least he has the proper food and I clean his bowl and change out the water water with distilled same room temp water. Time to upgrade!

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Bryan February 12, 2019 Yes, please upgrade as soon as you are able to, and stop using distilled water. Distilled is stripped of essential nutrients that a betta needs. Use tap water with conditioning drops, or spring water

with the proper pH.

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Bell May 30, 2019

I have a Male crowntail betta named Shadow. He has fin rot, too. You need to get medicine or else your betta will not make it. There are many choices at PetSmart. It helps a lot. My betta now has longer fins and looks healthier. Good luck!

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seth deavers February 20, 2019 i have an elephant ear betta

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Anonymous March 16, 2019 I have a red beta fish and his name is Prince.

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Anonymous June 10, 2019

plakat male

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Tracie June 19, 2019 I have a blue black and red Rose Petal male named Polū, which is “blue” in Hawaiian

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Sawyer August 30, 2016

-hello,

I had one batta fish for 3 weeks then my brother put a sailfin suckerfish in the tank, which wasn’t by choice because my brother was watching it while it was out of town. However I did take it out of the tank. Anyway fast forward it died and now I have a new batta fish and it lives in like an 8 gallon bowl it has two live plants and rocks for it to hid in. No I don’t have a filter system or a heat lamp, but my brother said I wouldn’t need it, and everyone it is taking bets on how long it will live. Could you please tell me what to do to keep my batta fish healthy and happy!! PS I’m a poor college student with a stupid twin brother.

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Bryan August 31, 2016 8 gallons is great. If you don’t have a filter you’ll need to do more frequent water cycling/changes. I would however recommend a heater still as they’re very affordable ($10-15) and will maintain the correct temperature for your betta fish to be healthy and happy and not get sick or stressed. For more detailed information, make sure you read the care page

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austin October 10, 2016

sorry for your last

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jazztastic girl December 20, 2017

hi

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Bryan July 16, 2018

Please understand that all comments are moderated and this website does not promote or approve any comments that talk about betta fish

fighting.

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Bryan August 25, 2018 Nope, I will have to look.

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Becki January 13, 2019 Hey Bryan, I have a veil tail male betta I just got recently his name is zeus he seems very happy and active/social and comes to the door happily for feedings he also has formed a bubble nest I have him housed in a 1 gallon tank with a gentle filter and a heater for that tank Am I on the right path to keeping him happy and healthy?

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Bryan January 19, 2019 Two areas of concern. A 1-gallon tank is too small for a betta fish. I recommend a minimum of 2.5-gallons, and only a sponge filter setup in tanks 3-gallons or less to prevent strong currents.

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Tabitha December 29, 2016 Dude! My fish died of lack of oxygen because he lived in a bowl! Tanks

work best.

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jazztastic girl December 20, 2017 yeah tanks work best. i am sorry for your loss

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Bell May 30, 2019

At least get a filter. If not, change the water often. Get it a more roomy and spacious place to hide in. My betta fish really likes a pineapple from Spongebob. It is spacious and roomy for the fish, yet it doesn’t take up too much room.

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katy September 16, 2016 name fish bob, Nemo Rocky bubbles

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Nihla November 12, 2016 My betta fish eyes became red and he is making bubbles in water surface.could you please let me know what kind of a problem my betta

fish have?

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Bryan November 12, 2016 It’s normal for male Betta fish to make bubbles at the surface they’re called bubble nests and a way for attracting a female for mating. Are you sure his eyes weren’t always red? Sounds like he’s

fine and healthy!

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Vicky March 18, 2018 Someone please help?! I got a Betta 03/16/18 and had previously gone to PetSmart for water testing and asked for some snail shells to add decoration in memory of my 4 grandparents who’ve all passed. The last one on Valentine’s Day this year. Well I had a hitchhiker (tiny baby mystery snail) in the tank & I’m pretty sure my Betta ate it because it was tiny & he looks kinda bloated. I don’t want him to die.

What do I do?

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Bryan March 20, 2018 If it was a tiny one, without a hard-cased shell he should be fine.

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Sadie February 27, 2017 No problem males make a bubble nest which implies it is happy and healthy and loves its environment so much it would gladly mate there. Also, how old is the beta? They can change colors frequently from fry

to adult.

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Anonymous February 28, 2017

he is ready to mate

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Coolman November 23, 2016 Sidney is also a fish name so u can add this name

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Nina December 12, 2016 Does Captain sound like a cool name? Its for my red and blue Betta

male

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Bryan December 13, 2016

I like it!

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Bryan July 23, 2018

We can agree to disagree because betta fish were bred for aggressiveness. To encourage fighting is ‘for sport’. In the wild, they have ample space to retreat from one another during aggression.

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sofia January 30, 2018 its better than raibows.

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Kallee March 26, 2018 I like it, my betta’s names are Midnight & Nut-beam Midnight: a black and deep blue Betta Nut-beam: a light purple and white Betta

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Anonymous December 21, 2016 Our bettas name is Huff-N-Puff.He challenges me every time I feed him.

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sofia January 30, 2018

harry potter!?!

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Flynn January 9, 2017 I have a male short tail betta hew has a grey/blue/red body with blue and red fins…… what should

i name him??

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Bryan January 20, 2017 Check out our list of over 400 names here

.

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Flynn January 24, 2017

cool thx

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Heather June 27, 2019

Oz

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Abigail March 9, 2017 I have two betta and I need help finding a name. If you can help me find a name thank you

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Ali April 16, 2017

Hi, thanks for a nice informative intro to the beta! I often browse the web looking for info on them to make sure mine is being cared for in the best possible way. I have a koi half moon plakat named Betty. When I bought him he was mostly light pink with some red and black – typical pale koi colours, about a week after moving him to a proper tank he went very dark all over and now has a red and black head and the rest of him is black and metallic blue with species of red! Gorgeous fish. I love just watching him swim around and explore his tank. He lives in a 10 gal community tank with 5 ember tetras, and gets on great with them. Gentle filter and heater, just one of those starter 10 gal tank kits you can buy for $50. Most people who visit give me a hard time for keeping him with the tetras but as you said, it is entirely possible. I always had a community tank in mind so when picking my betta from the store I made sure to get one that wasn’t acting as aggresive as the others, but was still looking healthy and moving around. It’s worked out great for me, and I would encourage it for others after careful and thorough research. Thanks,

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Bryan April 16, 2017 Thank you, Ali, and that’s so great to hear about the community tank! I’d love to see some pictures if you ever want to email them or send a direct message on Instagram? You are an awesome betta mom and sounds like you are taking wonderful care of yours.

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Sophia April 29, 2017 My betta’s name is Fingolfin. He’s a half moon Betta. He might have SBD. I’m not entirely sure. I read on a couple of other sites to not feed him for 3 days and to put him in a smaller container with only a few inches of water so he can get air from the surface. Does this sound right, and how long should I keep him in the smaller

container?

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Bryan April 29, 2017 Moving him to another tank isn’t required if the SBD is just being caused by overfeeding/constipation. Fast for 3 days, and monitor bowel movements. Also, consider feeding half a frozen, thawed, boiled pea (no skin) to help with constipation.

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Bryan August 25, 2018 That’s a great plant to add!

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Guest March 25, 2019 (I can’t reply to the actual posts, so apologies for being OT). Can someone please delete Wolfman’s comments? He’s continually talking about committing animal cruelty and how he purposefully breeds them to “rip the flesh from the other betta”. It’s sickening.

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Bryan March 28, 2019 Done thank you for bringing it to my attention. He was problematic and was commenting multiples per day.

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Emily April 29, 2017 I would like to know what kind of fish live well with bettas

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Bryan April 30, 2017 Hi Emily, please check out our tank mate page

.

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Clarissa December 31, 2017 If you look up ‘freshwater fish compatability chart’ it will give you a chart full of compatible fish (not just betta fish tho)

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Jonathan July 19, 2017 I am planning on getting a 2.5 gallon tank with a Betta, but would this size tank be suitable to add one or two nerite snails?

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Bryan July 21, 2017

2.5 is the absolute smallest habitat I’d recommend for a betta fish long term, without any tank mates. Snails can produce a lot of waste and increase the bio load and bad bacteria quickly in small habitats.

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Jonathan July 23, 2017

Ok thankyou!

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Maxine July 26, 2017 Hi, I bought a Ammonia testing kit to monitor the levels for my Betta ” Sushie ” when I set up the tank last Friday. I did a 50% water change in his bowl after 4 days. The bowl is 6L vol, the pre test came out at 1 ppm on the chart. The reading was the same after the change. I then prepped more water 3L, tested it for a control number and it tested at .50! I’m now wondering, can tap water already contain levels of Ammonia?

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Bryan July 30, 2017

Yes it’s certainly possible, chloramine which can lead to low levels of ammonia. Are you using a conditioner on your tap water prior to adding it? If you are, it should be removing that for you.

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Maxine August 4, 2017 Thanks for the advice Brian, I was just using water straight from the tap. We do have filtered water from the fridge. As I prep water ahead of time the temperature will be no issue. I’ll try it with my next

water change.

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Shannon Ruoff July 29, 2017 Found names for both of my bettas thanks to your website I have a baby male betta, who so far seems to go back and forth between red and purple, named Prometheus, and a full grown male, dark blue, almost black, named Poseidon

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Maxine August 4, 2017

Great Names!

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Jamie August 9, 2017 Hi my beta has a popped out Bubble eye… What do I do to fix it???

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Bryan August 16, 2017 Check out our diseases page, that sounds like Popeye.

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Ashley R August 16, 2017

Hi Bryan,

Hi have a female red betta named Erza. I don’t know what type of betta she is. I got her a few days ago, do you have any advice for new

betta owners?

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Bryan August 16, 2017 Definitely read the care page thoroughly. It’s long but covers all of the basics!

*

CrimsonNoacier August 20, 2017 Hello, I’ve had a male butterfly Betta fish for about 3 months now, and all has been well in terms of his health up until about 2 days ago. When I was going to feed him the usual in the morning ( Betta Bio-Gold Pellets ) along with the occasional bloodworm, daphnia, and mysis treat, he swam up to it and attempted to eat it however he quickly spit it out and lost interest. He is also less active then usual and I’ve noticed he has slight tears on his tailfin as well as a loss of coloration. Aside from all of this he appears to be slightly bloated or constipated, so I fasted him for a few days and also fed him bits of thawed peas, however that doesn’t seem to help his condition at all. All water parameters are also okay in terms of temperature, ammonia, PH, etc… If you could identify the issue with him that would be great!

*

Bryan August 20, 2017 I would continue to do 20-40% water changes daily, and consider adding aquarium salt per its instructions as it could be the beginning of fin/tail rot. The aquarium salt also helps with stress and swelling.

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Claire September 19, 2017

Hello Bryan,

Please kindly advice me, I bought a half moon beta fish, he is in a 2.5 gallon tank with filter and heater. After reading your website I’m seriously thinking of getting a 5 gallon tank although I am very nervous after further reading about ammonia and nitrates and nitrites which I never thought it would be this complicated after buying Bobo. I’ve read so many horrors about peoples fish dying even when they followed instructions. There’s so many different information and advice in the internet it can get so confusing for a beginner like me.

Thank you

Kindest Regards,

Claire

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Bryan September 24, 2017 Hi Claire – Generally if you keep up on water cycling and changes it’s not very complicated at all. You just want to avoid abrupt temperature swings and ammonia spikes for the most part. A 5 gallon would help with that as the smaller the tank, the more breakdown of poop and uneaten food happens in a smaller space. If you need some quick advice, you can always email me too

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Rebecca September 24, 2017 This is information has been very helpful! I have a starter kit but will get him a 5 gal soon. He’s only been with me a few days and still cant decide on a name, will definately check that name list. Thanks for the info!!

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Susan Gossard October 2, 2017 Hello, my beta’s name is Mr. Finnikinz or Finny for short. We have only had him a few weeks and accidentally over fed him. He began laying on his side all the time so I took him to the pet store and they said he was about to die and offered to “neutralize” him. I couldn’t do it, I love him too much and I could tell he was a fighter. I took him to another pet store and they said he was just constipated so I didnt feed him for almost three days. He is swimming up right again but his fins were damaged when he was sick so I’m just wondering how long it’ll take them to grow back? He’s in a ten gallon tank with an algae eater and an African dwarf frog. I love your site! I’ve been trying to read up on beta’s so I can make sure he’s happy and healthy. He has little logs and barrals to swim through and some silk plants. Any advice would be appreciated!

Thank you!

*

Clarissa December 31, 2017 Try aquarium salt, help with stress and to heal him

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Allyssa October 12, 2017 Hi! I recently bought a little Halfmoon, Double Tail male, and his name is Juniper. I really wanted to give him the best life possible and I’m so excited to see him flourish. I have his tank at 80f and am in the process of growing live plants for him to play with.

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Kevin Mccracken November 2, 2017 Can you place two males in a 55 gal. Tank or will they still fight?

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Clarissa December 31, 2017 They will still fight

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Jodie Courtney November 12, 2017 I have a male delta that I got from a Petco, and it was 75% off due to length of stay, I gave him a 2.5 gallon tank with clean water. He now looks like he’s dying. Night before last he actually ate 3 pellets. Yesterday and today he won’t eat. He stays at the bottom and just lays there. I moved him back to his small cup so he is able to easily get to the top for air. Any suggestions are welcomed!!

*

Bryan November 12, 2017 Hey Jodie, it sounds like stress from changing environments (e.g. temperature) and likely quality of the water. You could dose in some aquarium salt, dissolved in a separate container first, as that will reduce stress. If it was discounted, it’s likely he was in poor conditions for an extended amount of time as the tiny cups are temporary containers. I would slow re-acclimate him back into the 2.5 gallon tank, heated I hope? And monitor him over the next few days and don’t change the water quality or temperature abruptly to avoid additional shock/stress.

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Nelah December 8, 2017 Hi! I have a bowl that is just over 0.9 gallons and I was wondering if that would be an ok size for one Betta? Thank you so much!

*

Bryan December 9, 2017 That is too small for a permanent habitat for your betta fish Nelah. The smallest I would ever recommend is 2.5 gallons, but 5 gallons is

ideal.

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Lissa December 8, 2017 A one-gallon tank is too small? They sold them at Petco as a betta tank. My fish name is Rose. I did not know I needed a heater I am scared for my fish now

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Bryan December 9, 2017 Yes, it is, unfortunately just because something is sold doesn’t mean it’s always the best for the fish. I wish stores would stop selling these. I would definitely recommend upgrading to a larger tank and getting a thermostat-based heater.

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Amanda December 19, 2017 I bought a 5.5 gallon tank with filter and heater (for one male Betta) as a Christmas present for my 2 and a half year old daughter who loves fish. Wanted to start small since she is young and I had a Betta years ago that was great. I had him in a small 2gallon no filter or heater (didn’t know better) but he lived…seemingly happy for 4 years. Wanted to do better;however after getting everything set up and running for 48 hrs, I put him in and he shot across the tank – filter is too strong…googled and did pantyhose, which helped a bit, then noticed he’s staring at the sides…they are freaking one way mirrors. I’m pretty pissed…I specifically asked for a rank for a Betta, this one was recommended- I can’t take it all back but I don’t think I can keep him in it – thought about a tank background but then my daughter won’t see him if he’s on the side and this was for her- she loves watching fish swim. My question is – is it a myth that the mirrors will stress him out or will he get used to it? He’s a small, younger Betta and stares at the sides but isn’t getting aggressive- he also is exploring the rest of the tank and goes inthe Betta log and castle.

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Ava January 10, 2018 I have a question regarding the tank mates for bettas. I will be getting a male betta and, assuming he is not too aggressive, I want to add in other fish. I have heard that ghost shrimp, mystery snails, harlequin rasboras, tetras, and white could mountain minnows could be in a tank with a betta. I have a 10 gallon tank and was wondering how many of each fish would be best. If I add a few of the fish I mentioned, which combinations would make my tank the most peaceful and

fun?

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Suzanne January 15, 2018 I have a golden Veiltail, and I noticed a couple spots on her today that I don’t remember seeing yesterday. One is on her left side by her front fin, and the other is on her right side by her back fin. It doesn’t resemble Ich or Fin Rot…kind of looks like an old scab of dead skin that falls off of a human. She has a heater, a ship and a couple plastic plants. She’s in a round 2 gallon plastic tank. I’ve been feeding her blood worms for the past 2 weeks now instead of the pellets, and yesterday I added 2 of those Luffy Balls after quarantining them for a week.

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Bevin January 24, 2018 Hi there- thanks for all the great info and tips. Should the lid be solid or have holes in it?

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Bevin January 24, 2018 Hi again- my tank is 1 gallon. Small, I know. But I’m more concerned with keeping his water warm. Would a heat pad underneath work? Or should I look for a submergible one? What sort of wattage would I want in that case? Thanks!

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Bryan January 24, 2018 I’ve heard very bad things regarding the heating pads that go under the gravel. Maintaining the temperature in a 1 gallon is challenging to do. I would look to upgrade your tank as soon as possible and then add a submersible heater with a built-in thermostat.

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Bryan January 24, 2018 It should have an opening somewhere on it, and you should never fill the tank up to the top as bettas need to get to the surface for air.

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Patrick Tousley February 6, 2018 Hi, I’ve had my male Betta, Junior for almost a year. He’s been so happy. And now he’s laying on the bottom, only coming up when he wants to eat. About a month ago, I finally got him a 5 gal aquarium (vs. his old 2.5 gal). He’s always had a filter and a heater. I’ve noticed that some parts have developed brown algae. I feed him once a day (pellets) and I give him a pinch each time…I’ve been seeing on the website that it’s better to feed him twice a day with 2-4 pellets. Tomorrow I’m going to PetCo to buy two bottom feeders (catfish). He does have a green ball plant (lol i forgot what the name of the plant is), two little hiding places and a soft artificial plant. I’m just so worried that when I wake up in the morning he won’t be here. I am so attached to my lovely Junior. He’s the best. As of right this moment 2:06 AM Central time, he’s just laying at the bottom of the tank. I did forget to mention his temperature is always in the green (78 to 80 degrees). PLEASE help. He does have an LED light. Should I let him be until in a few hours where I will get two bottom feeders and a testing kit and wait to feed him?? I know i’ve been feeding him a lot of pellets once a day. When others said 2 to 4 twice a day, I freaked! I’m just so anxious. If anyone could just suggest a couple things to help him stay alive. Thank you for

your time.

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Bryan February 11, 2018 Patrick, it sounds like Junior is feeling some stress due to the water condition? I would do a 50% water change, get the algae removed or hopefully, the bottom feeders will eat it up for you. If he’s eating still, that’s a good sign. And the ball plant is likely a marimo moss ball haha. I hope he has a speedy recovery.

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Erin February 9, 2018 Hello. I just got a male Crowntail Betta and got him a 1.6 gallon tank. While he’s doing swell now that I’ve removed the filter that threatened to rip off his fins and made him miserable, I know he needs a bigger tank. PLEASE advise on a good 5 gallon tank. He HATES the filter in every way in his current tank, so I really want one with minimal current so he isn’t so stressed out when it’s on. There are so many sites out there with recommendations, but I feel like they are just out to get their kick-back. Help my Emmett find a new home!

Thank you!

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Bryan February 11, 2018 Erin, I’ve been meaning to publish my recommended tanks for betta fish page, but it’s only about 50% complete right now. I have the Fluval Spec V 5-gallon and once you buy a filter baffle to put over the filters output tube into the tank, it’s perfect and a gorgeous tank. If you’d like you can also send me an email bryan@bettafish.org and I can help you further source one.

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Luke February 17, 2018 Hi what should I name my red white and blue baby Betta fish

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Clark February 24, 2018 There have been a few Betta-voyages: John Quincy Adams the Red Veiltail, likes classical piano (surprised

at coherence) then

Little Confuscious who ran a huge variety tank. Blue black veil tail genius fish. One time he jumped into the back of a fountain I had put in the top of the tank and was gone for weeks. Joyful surprises… dude jumped out at me from the fountain thing. Then I noticed him, put him back with the goldfish and tetras and female betta- he mates one (the gold fish!) named Lucky who made a bettagoldfish like a telescope betta colored cutie with bubble eyes-died the day I saw it; it had been hiding…. apparently the tetra did the same with a King Tut statue and were living inside of the sculpture and made it thru a tank transition hiding in the bronze based on the Betta. Summer. Cool

stuff. Tching.

Big Purple the veiltail who I trained to swim from that bottomless position with Hawkeye the fancy guppy; Patriot Arrow and Lincoln Mercury (Lm was the coolest fish tank leader making a 60 gallon tub aquarium thrive outside with tons of fish, turtle, and frogs. Little Confuscious the II had a bunch of female veil tails (red velvet, Claire de lune, lil teal y, Lullablacky, and a few fancy guppies) with

out any fights.

Then most recently Jimi Hendrix Jr. who liked going out in the sun and at night and grew pretty big (index finger) and died when we moved. Now, I have a dragon scale and a veil tail halfmoon mix… lil Ancient One and Claire de Lune the second are in the 15 gallon deep clear tank – having been in several different environments (bowl, mini bowls, 10 gallon) and they love music tremendously as well as the female liking television trips as it helps them never fight from the times of separation and growing up together-they are pretty much the wisest form of lateral life that many will see. Cappatta leaves, bettafix, Marimo balls, water circulation, bottled waters, constant communication, and changing the environment without scaring them is the pouch to log over the shoulder with and it’s interesting the magic matching illusions they can help humans achieve. The faces almost look like monkeys from those mini zoo exhibits…connected probably. Another trick is to move like fingerboarding fashions; they are similar to hammerhead and mako sharks mixed with a catfish if one were to think about big fish synthesis of a comparitive combination of recognizable mix. The males only fight when there is a limited space. Usually you can predict if the two will get along if you talk to the water like the fish is in your eyeball and you are dialating the words…it can be a Lot of Pain to lose fish… Betta lives come from bettafish.

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Fillet June 29, 2018 Um… Bettas can’t breed with goldfish O_o

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justin February 26, 2018

good job!!!!!

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justin February 26, 2018

cool

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Stephanie March 4, 2018

Hey Bryan!

I was trying to find your contact info on the site, I hope you see

this!

I’m interested in launching a small betta fish apparel store with a percentage of proceeds going to support anti-fighting initiatives and other groups pushing for better betta care in petstores. I’d love to chat about it, if you’d be interested… thanks!

Steph

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Bryan March 6, 2018

Hey Stephanie, you can send me an email to bryan@bettafish.org thanks!

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Susan Barker March 13, 2018 i have to confess that my first thought upon reading this was “Really, clothes for fish!” It’s late and I should have been in bed an hour ago; no other excuse……..

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Monica March 7, 2018 Hello! I’ve read every bit of information currently given on this site (kudos for all the work that goes into getting people informed btw ‘tu) and I put my Betta Aquarium list together. I was just wondering if I’ve missed anything or if there’s anything newer/improved that might have come out since any of these were

suggested? …

Fluval Spec V Aquarium Kit adjustable flow filter adjustable heater w/ built-in thermostat

gravel

Betta water conditioner

aquarium salt

pH kit

Water Weeds

Moss Balls

Java Moss

Amazon Frogbit

Betta Hammock

Betta Log

Floating Betta Log

Ghost Shrimp

NorthFin Betta Bits

Hikari freeze-dried Daphnia San Francisco Bay Brands freeze-dried Mysis Shrimp gel/freeze-dried Bloodworms

Thanks for helping!

Riley & Rae

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Bryan March 12, 2018 Hi Riley and Rae. It looks like you made an excellent list and thanks for the feedback. All of this information has been kept up to date and I frequently revisit the pages for refreshes of information as necessary. The Fluval Spec V comes with an adjustable flow filter, I would just recommend buying the baffle to cover the exit tube of the filter because it’s a bit too strong for bettas and will toss them around the tank. Also, the floating log might be tough with that tank as the water level needs to be to a certain point to enter the filter chamber that’s hidden on one side. So it may touch and interfere with the tank’s cover. Everything else looks great! Good luck

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Susan Barker March 13, 2018 Question: I hesitate to even ask this because I can’t believe it would be true, but I think that I can actually hear Elvis chewing his food (I give him the little round pellets). Totally my imagination?

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Bryan March 15, 2018 LOL. Not sure Susan, I mean I guess it’s possible since they do have very powerful jaws for their size. Are you sure you weren’t just hearing the gulping/chomping at the surface of the water? Too funny.

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Dawn March 22, 2018

Hello! Just wanted to thank you for all of the information :). As a newbie to bettas, your site & comments have answered many of my questions. My double half moon is named Phineaus or Phin for short. I have him in a 10 gallon tank with an aqueon 20 filter with a baffle and a 1 inch round air stone he likes to play with. He also has a few live plants, marimo moss balls, a coconut “tunnel”, and a leaf hammock. I’ve only had him for about 2 weeks. My question is, how do you feel about the floating mirror toy in his tank? I’ve read different views. (I apologize if I missed your view on your site)

Thank you

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Bryan March 24, 2018 Hey Dawn, thanks for the feedback and Phin sounds like he has a great betta mom! The mirrors are okay in my opinion for very limited periods of time. I would not leave them floating around the tank as continual aggression is stress inducing and can cause health issues.

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Dawn March 28, 2018

Thank you

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Timothy May 6, 2018

Is it OK to use a conditioner that gets rid of the ammonia and nitrate on each water change? I do a partial water change every week

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Michelle May 22, 2018 Hello. I have a question or two. I just acquired a betta, I stole him from a co-worker that was not really feeding him properly…this little guy has a long history of going from one person to another…finally I am his forever Mom. Anyway, he has been living in a bowl and I desperately need to move him to another tank. I know some stuff about fish, I do have a plecostomas and he is 20 years old…anyway he is not allowed to be moved or screwed with as I am so afraid that would stress him out. Anyway, I know some about fish. Since this little betta, Uhtred, is in a bowl and I would love to move him to a tank…what is the best way to move him to a tank. I have not bought a tank for him yet…and I would love to have live plants, I just don’t want to shock him. Anyway, he is very lively even though he lives in this stupid bowl…he meets me when he can see me come into the room…he just deserves more. Any advise would be greatly welcomed from anyone, I just want his transition to be as smooth as possible. Thanks so much

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Bryan May 27, 2018

Hi Michelle! I think that’s awesome you are trying to give him a better life. You are correct that abruptly changing water parameters or habitats can be stressful. The best way to move him would be through proper acclimation, you can follow that guide here

.

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Joyce May 23, 2018

Hi Bryan! Really enjoy your site. My question is how do I know my betta’s have mated? I’ve had them for a week. They are in a 2.5 tank. They get along great. He has started his bubble nest. Does he chase her? Today they’re back to just calmness.Thanks

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Bryan May 27, 2018

Thanks, Joyce. They’ve been in the same tank since you got them? That’s very surprising as they typically are far too aggressive to do that, especially in such a small tank. I recommend at minimum 2.5-gallons per betta. Not all betta fish will mate with one another, it seems he’s ready, but if you don’t see any mating stripes on her body or she doesn’t seem interested in this male, she may not mate with him. It’s very stressful to keep them in the same tank constantly too under usual circumstances, I recommend removing her and then you read up more on betta fish mating.

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BRIAN ELDRED June 1, 2018 I just got a veil tail Betta for my 2.5 gallon (us) tank. I also bought a Marimo moss ball as well. Both are doing fine. The Betta, I call him Billy, pushes the moss ball around and digs in the substrate having a good ol’ time.

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Mike Allen June 3, 2018 Our fish has been like this for a week now. A bubble belly and staying

on top of the tank.

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Bryan June 5, 2018

Mike, it sounds like swim bladder issues due to overfeeding or constipation. Please only feed 2-4 pellets, 1-2 times daily. For now, fast him, no food for 2-3 days and see if things improve.

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Justin June 7, 2018

Awesome you all have cool fish! I just got one today…a green and creamy white Delta tail! Sumo is his name!

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Anna June 14, 2018

Hello! I don’t know if I have to get the water conditioner for my betta fish before putting it in its tank with faucet water. What do I

need to do?

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Bryan June 16, 2018

All tap water should be treated with conditioner before adding it to

the betta’s tank.

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jack June 15, 2018

I have a 10 gallon tank with 10 neon tetra’s. Will my betta get along fine with the neon tetra’s? Is my tank overcrowded? My neon tetra’s are only 2 cm big.

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Bryan June 16, 2018

A betta should be just fine in that size tank with the 10 tetras.

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Carolyn June 20, 2018 Last week I acquired a male white betta fish. Because of his white color, named him Casper, after the cartoon Casper, the friendly ghost. Sometimes, watching TV, fun to watch him also swimming around his tank on the table right beside my recliner chair. Even talk to him, using his name & see him respond.

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Carolyn June 20, 2018 Hi, Everybody. I own a white male betta fish named Casper.

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Brad June 23, 2018

My Betta’s name is Waldo Gamma Seuss.

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Opal June 26, 2018

Im not even sure mine is a betta fish but we named him Sir Pessie Silver ( our last name) his nick name is pessie

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Allen June 28, 2018

I recently got a 3 gal tank for a beta for my daughter. She wants to use the tank as a night light of sorts. Is there any reason why leaving the light on all night is stressful for the fish? On a related note… I was reading about the flow of water from the filter and while it seems what we have is not too rough, I wondered about getting a timer that I could plug in both the light and the filter into so they would both go off at night to provide a few hours of quiet and darker water. I realize this would increase the water change schedule a bit but I am not opposed to that if this seemed like a good idea. Any advice or thoughts on these two issues would be appreciated.

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Bryan June 29, 2018

Hi Allen – It’s not a good idea to leave the light on all night. Betta fish need a normal day/night schedule just like humans. You could, however, do as you’ve suggested and set it up to go off an hour or so after you think your daughter normally falls asleep. I’ve encountered a lot of hobbyists who also use their filters on a timer.

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Kent July 6, 2018

I own a recuse male veil tail Betta named “X” from Walmart. So far

he’s been fine

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Farralee Ouellette July 15, 2018 Have had Betta 6 months. Was eating fine. Now past several days he’s lethargic (not moving as much as he used to.) Hes not eating. I’ve even tried bloodworms. He keeps going to top of the tank for air. I put API Melafix in the tank today and he’s moving more but still not

eating.

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Bryan July 16, 2018

Whenever a betta fish starts showing signs of stress or sickness, you should check the water’s temperature and the water parameters. These are the most common problems. If you have test strips, make sure the pH is in the proper range, and that ammonia is not present. If it is, then do a partial water change and monitor things. Continue doing partial water changes daily if necessary to get the water in the proper areas. Medication should be a last resort, especially if you’re not sure what the ailment is yet.

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Jane July 27, 2018

Hello Everyone!

I’m a new betta fish owner. I have a beautiful half moon male (red, blue w/white fin tips). We named him Finlay. I am about to get him into a 5-gallon tank w/filter & heater and was told by a pet store associate that I could use bottle spring water without conditioning it to fill the tank. Is this true?

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Bryan July 29, 2018

That is true as long as that spring water has the proper pH level between 6.5-7.5. I would still use a conditioner with a stress coat in it, as that promotes a healthy fish too with less stress.

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Kadie August 11, 2018 I have a female halfmoon betta fish who has developed a lump in her right side… she acts normal but the bump has not gone away for about a month. She’s in a 3-gallon tank that’s out of direct sunlight, has a small heater, a moss ball and leafy plant, and no filter but I try to clean the water frequently. She usually eats about 6 pellets once a day. The bump is not on her underside, could this still be dropsy? If you’re not sure could you refer me to someone who may be

able to help?

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Bryan August 13, 2018 Could it possibly just be the swim bladder you’re seeing along the side of the betta? You can send me a picture through email bryan@bettafish.org so I can better assess.

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No one December 15, 2018 I have a female too! I really hope she gets better

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Michelle September 15, 2018 I have a male betta that I brought home from work…I am his fourth and final owner. He is old probably around 3 years old and has been in a bowl all of his life. I moved him to a 5 gallon tank along with one snail, they were doing fine but recently my betta has turned into a jerk and continuously rams his head into the snail on purpose. He has even gone to the extent of not being able to swim very well. I moved him back to his bowl for a few days and he seemed better. I changed the tank around added a little more plants and put him back…he was fine for a few days and started up again. So, he is now a jerk again. I moved him back to his bowl where he seems content but he is no longer making bubble nests but he had stopped making nests in his tank just recently anyway. He is eating some so I guess that’s ok but he is not as eager for food as he had been. He is in a warmer room so the temp is ok but not as good as the tank since it has a heater. I don’t know what to do with him, this has become frustrating as he just seems to all of a sudden turned into a jerk. He actually seems content back in the bowl…even though when I first put him in the tank he seemed so happy and made large bubble nests and everything. I tested the water and it was fine so I really don’t know what to do. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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Milly September 16, 2018 I am a brand new betta owner and picked up my little crown tail from a pet store last weekend. When I bought him, I didn’t know what to look for in a healthy fish but after bringing him home, I noticed his fins do not look like they are in good condition. I was hoping they’d get better after being in a bigger tank with a filter and a heater but there has been no changes. I have been changing the water every other night but the tips of his fins are still bent and he is missing the ends of all his back fins. Is something wrong with my fish and how can I help him?

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Bryan September 17, 2018 Please read the care page, and disease page and consider addressing potential stress and fin rot.

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Suresh October 5, 2018

Hi,

Can you please help me with the following situation? Three days ago, my veiltail male betta fish got sucked into a very small diameter hose when I was removing water from the tank for a water change. Only his upper half of the body got sucked in and the lower half was still outside the hose. I panicked and pulled him out immediately within 10-15 seconds by catching his lower half of the body. I am sure that I squeezed his lower half of the body in the process, and also damaged his tail. Overall this is what I see now: 1) He is breathing but unable to swim now. He is lying on various spots of the tank bottom throughout the day since past 2-3 days. I did not see him swim at all during these days. 2) His tail is gone more than 50-60%, i.e, only a very small tail is

remaining.

3) His top fin is sheared off the body, i.e, around 50% of attachment of top fin to the body is gone. Also, I see (probably) some rot on the top end of this top fin. 4) His bottom fin looks fine. This is a 10-gallon tank with a filter, a nitrate pad in this filter, a heater with present temperature, an air bubble which I currently set to only one stream of air to not stress the fish, a light which I switched OFF since last 2-3 days to not stress the fish, three types of live plants (water sprite, java fern and devil vine), and an ornament (kind of a hiding spot for the fish). I have only my betta fish in this tank. I did not do any water changes since this incident. I did not even feed my fish since then. I ordered a Hikari betta revive from Amazon and am thinking of using those drops near the fish. I prefer not to move the fish to a smaller size tank so that I do not stress him anymore. Can you please suggest what should I do? And what should I avoid doing in this situation? I know it is my mistake. I feel stupid and sorry for this situation. I just hope he stays alive, recovers completely and gets back to normal.

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Bryan October 7, 2018 Aww I’m so sorry to hear about that. You should continue doing regular water changes as necessary to keep the water clean. I’m sure the ordeal was very traumatic and stressful to the betta and you. The swim bladder is located to the rear of the body, so I hope that was not damaged when you squeezed and pulled him out. It helps them regulate their depth in the water when swimming. Not swimming at all is common with stress and injury for recovery. I think you’re doing everything you can right now, although I would consider also using some aquarium salt to help reduce stress and any swelling too and will encourage fin regrowth.

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Katie Anderson December 25, 2018 Help! My betta seems like something is wrong, but none of the common diseases seem to fit. His fins are tattered, but not dead or black or red or brown. And they’re not growing back. His scales look ‘old’ and he’s lazy, and non reactive to any stimulants. I can’t find a way to attach a picture but it’s been an ongoing

issue for months.

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Bryan December 27, 2018 Hi Katie, you are welcome to email me if necessary using the contact page and then you can attach a picture after I reply. Generally, however, those symptoms are a sign of water that is too cold or water that is outside normal parameters (i.e. high ammonia, pH) for optimal health which can induce stress.

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Sydney December 28, 2018 Hi! I am just getting a fish and I need some advice. please?

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Michael and Tina January 22, 2019 Hi there! Two and a half weeks ago we discussed we might want to get a betta fish. We did get one and then one more….we now have five bettas. Who knew that bettas have personalities, but yes, they do! They each live in their own customized 5 gallon aquariums. Unintentionally we named the first two a name starting with the letter F, and now we have Finn, Flip, Flame, Fabian and Fernando.

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Bryan January 23, 2019 You’ve officially caught the “Betta Bug” congrats – haha! I love the names and sounds like you’re off to great start with the

habitats.

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Anonymous January 24, 2019 We’ve added a 6th one, named Felix. That is all the space we have

though.

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Bryan January 28, 2019 Six, wow! Best wishes to you and Felix.

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Diane January 30, 2019 Hello! I’m still relatively new to the world of fish keeping (within a year), but I own three beautiful male Bettas: Golden/White Metallic Butterfly Half Moon Betta named Apollo Blue/Black/Orange Half Moon Dragonscale named Atlas Blue/White Metallic Dumbo Half Moon named Poseidon However, I am hoping to get some advice on issues I’m finding with Apollo and Atlas, but it’s probably wise to give background first. I’ve had both of them for five months now (Poseidon is the newest addition) and being new-ish to having fish, I’ve admittedly made plenty of mistakes along the way. However, current tanks are set up as

follows:

1. Two- 5.0 gallon Fluval Chi and one 2.0 gallon with a Tetra Whisper pump (all cycle water at a VERY gentle flow) with a carbon filter. All of the tanks have a lid and a light (light is kept on for up to eight

hours).

2. UV sterilizer in the two five-gallon tanks. 3. Thermometer and heater, with tanks set at 78 degrees Farenheight. 4. I’m using purchased Spring Water since fluoride levels in the tap water in my city have been causing health issues (loss of color, fungal infections, and/or fin rot). 5. Water is treated with API Tap Water Conditioner, API Aquarium Salt, and API Stress Zyme to protect their stress coats. I also (recently) started to add a piece of Indian Almond Leaf to each of the tanks, as I’ve read that the tannins are beneficial, produces an environment more natural to the Bettas, and has antibacterial properties. 6. Neutral colored gravel and decorations that offer proper hiding places. I’ve slowly been transitioning to silk plants, but two of my tanks now also have live plants. 7. Feeding consists of Omega One Betta Buffet Pellets- no more than three are given per day- not to exceed the size of the eye of my fish. Recently, I’ve purchased frozen bloodworms and frozen brine shrimp for added protein, but am still working on getting them to eat from the feeding clamp. They fast over the weekend. Weekly water parameters were tested today and are listed as follows:

pH: 7.0

Nitrite: 0.0

Nitrate: 20

GH: 40

KH: 120

Monthly 25% water changes are maintained. I used to do 100% but wouldn’t clean the gravel, but I later read that it disrupts the bio-system and that 25% is the preferred method while using a gravel vac to pick up waste. Here’s my issue: I’ve left for a week at a time over the holidays these past few months, and I would add a dissolvable feeder that was supposed to last up to seven days. This last journey, about three weeks ago, resulted in the discovery of Atlas being sunken to the bottom of the tank, difficulty swimming and reaching the surface for air, and couldn’t eat as a result. I immediately moved him to my 0.5-gallon quarantine tank (no gravel, but a plant for a hiding spot) treated with my normal additives, raised the temperature to 80 degrees Farenheight and had him fasting for five days. On the sixth day, and the three days following, I gave him peas to help pass things along- as I strongly felt he developed swim-bladder disorder (I’m guessing due to the feeder). However, there was minimal improvement, but he ate as soon as I pushed the pellet to the bottom of the tank. I’d contacted a local pet store for advice, and it was suggested I do a seven-day treatment of Methylene Blue- which I did, but I’m not sure it had benefited him. I called back and they suggested a week treatment of PimaFix to rule out any infection, which I also did, and now he’s partially upright and swims a little straighter, but still weighted to the floor of the tank. Now he doesn’t want to eat. I called that same pet store again, and they said his condition could be

permanent.

I was getting worried about the use of all of these medications with Atlas in such a short period of time, so the beginning of this week I decided to put him back in his (new) regular environment (I know a 2.0 gal is less than ideal, but I’m terrified he’d die from anything bigger at this point. I just want him in a cycled tank that resembled something similar to what he once had); Poseidon then became the newest addition to the family. To add to the fun, I noticed (today) a bulge on Apollo on his left side toward the tail (although he’s swimming regularly, he’s lost some color). So, I called a different pet store and explained what’s been going on for both of them, and they recommended an Aquarium Salt dip- not to exceed 8 minutes once a day, over the course of three days. I just started this regimen on both of them this morning and was very watchful for shock, but they transitioned alright. I know pet stores mean well, but I really feel there’s a lot of unnecessary steps happening; I just want my fish to be happy and healthy and prevent this from happening in the future. As for the sinking and loss of appetite in Atlas and the new bulge on Apollo– could this be bacterial in nature? I’ve read that parasites are rare. Is there anything you would recommend? This is what I have in my Betta First-Aid Kit:

1. Erythromycin

2. Indian Almond Leaf 3. API Aquarium Salt

4. Epsom Salt

5. PimaFix

6. BettaFix

7. Methylene Blue

8. Water conditioners and water testing kit Thank you for any guidance on the matter. I’ve grown very attached to these guys, and I want to do what’s best for them.

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Bryan February 4, 2019 Thanks for all of the information, Diane, and hello to Apollo, Atlas and now Poseidon. I have heard very bad, and similar problems (even death) related to the slow dissolving feeder tablets, especially in smaller tanks. I do not recommend them. They dirty the water and some betta fish will just keep picking at them as well. Your water parameters are okay, although I would be performing a 25% water change weekly, not monthly. Atlas sounds like stress, and would do well from keeping the water parameters stable and in the correct range – no abrupt changes. Sinking sounds like a swim bladder issue, I’ve had a female that damaged hers and never recovered her ability to regulate her buoyancy. For Apollo, are you sure the bulge is not just his swim bladder protruding? It should be slightly visible in all bettas. I would try the salt dip as suggested and again keeping water clean and no abrupt changes before trying medication again unless symptoms

worsen.

*

Ashley February 2, 2019 Hi! I’m a proud owner of a half moon male, named Pinky, when I got him I thought he was albino… the little guy was pure white! I went into it not knowing much about bettas.. But your website helped a lot and after getting him home and putting him in a 5gallon heated tank with lots of places for him to hide in and swim through he slowly started to get better, the first few months were hard every step you’d take near his tank he’d swim away and hide, feeding time resulted in the same thing, the only thing that reassured me he was eating was all the blood worms would be gone. Six months later my ‘Albino’ fish looks like a Dalmatian dog… and then six months after that he’s completely blue, green, and black with almost no white left on him at all! After all the reading i did thinking my fish was growing fungus or something I found out they white out when stressed or sick :/ I think he’s happy and healthy now, at least I hope he is.. been over a year now and he’s got two little mystery snails as tank mate’s and everything seems to be going good. Thank you so much for all this information with out it I could have killed

my little Pinky

*

Bryan February 4, 2019 Wow that’s incredible Ashley! So happy to help you and Pinky.

*

Brennie February 22, 2019 I just got a Betta mine is White with red, black and blue on it. It has beautiful blue eyes I think it’s a male he does the bubble thing

I name him Bruiser.

*

Brendan March 19, 2019 What type of betta is the rarest?

*

Bryan March 23, 2019 Solid green and Albino bettas are rare.

*

Abby March 24, 2019

Do you have all of your great information in book form? Or have a favorite book about caring for bettas? I’d love to give my 8 year old son a gift of a physical book that has everything he needs to know. He just got his first betta.

*

Bryan March 28, 2019 You know, Abby, I have considered doing that in the past but have not found the time to do it. Unfortunately, no, I haven’t found a book that I have been willing to recommend so there is definitely a need

for that.

*

Nancy Anderson April 9, 2019 Thanks for the information about betta’s I am a true lover of all types of Betta Fishes and keeping them since 2009, I found out with this useful information room temperature in a home. Thank You

*

Joanne April 20, 2019 i have a veil tail female light pink her name is Mazekeen shes very large and very active i have her in a 1.5 gallon tank with a moss ball with filter and heater ive never seen one her size and with her personality ive even been able to teach her some tricks to go through her hoops and jump when i ask her other then that she doesnt jump ive had her since my birthday and am planning on getting her a bigger tank but am wondering if she will do well with other fish as she is use to being alone she never bothers with anyone else only comes up to the top of her tank if i come to it she is the best fish i have ever had

*

Bryan April 20, 2019 It’s hard to say how she will do with tank mates, but you can read the tank mates page to assess how to approach that and what you’ll need to consider if you decide to try it.

*

Anonymous April 21, 2019

thank you

*

Becky May 9, 2019

Hi Bryan,

So I recently got a 10 gallon tank for my daughter and her new betta. And I was thinking of getting a tank divider and getting another betta. My question is can one heater work with tank divider and heat both sides or do they each need their own heater?

*

Bryan May 9, 2019

One heater should be fine if you also have a filter which will cycle through and disperse the water. I would try and keep both of these items closer to the center of the tank, versus at one end.

*

Bryce Smetana May 11, 2019 I can’t wait to get my new Halfmoon betta!, so far I have bought a 10 gallon tank, 2 large bags of gravel, bloodworms, flakes, and that stuff that makes tap water safe to use, I should be getting the rest of the supplies and the betta in the next 1-2 weeks! I also find it funny how my sister in law thinks a betta will be fine in a vase, like I know more about fish care than my sister in law who is an adult but

I’m only ten…

*

Anonymous May 15, 2019 I just got a 6.5 gallon tank, much bigger than I had before. My Betta used to come right to the top to get the food when I put it in but now with the bigger tank doesn’t always. Should I just leave the food in for him to get when he wants it or take it out?

*

Bryan May 28, 2019

If the pellets continue to float you can leave them in there. If it’s a pellet that sinks easily you may want to come back and use a turkey baster and suck them up if he didn’t eat them within a half hour or so otherwise it will just dirty your water.

*

Carly July 1, 2019

I have a male beta in a 10 gallon fish tank with a smaller filter. He has live plants and the water quality comes out good when tested. He has been in this tank one month and no water changes yet. I am planning to do a25% water change and vacuum the gravel. Is this correct? And the new water we have tap with dechlorinating drops.. does that have to sit for a certain length of time before adding to

tank?

Your sight has been most helpful! Thank you!

*

Bryan July 9, 2019

I would perform a partial water change more frequently, maybe once a week or every 10 days depending on the amount of decor, plants. If there are tank mates then it has to be done even more frequently. If you’re using de-chlorinating drops no need to let it sit. You’re

welcome!

*

Heidi July 9, 2019

I have what seems to be a very young double tail named Tom Petty, he’s “Cambodian” colored—and a very faded pale yellow veil tail named Warren Zevon. Tom’s a fiesty little butt and Warren is just happy to be out of his little cup prison (he was in a pet store

for a month)

*

YOU LOVE BETTA FISH RIGHT?

BETTA FAQ

*

WHY DO BETTA FISH MAKE BUBBLES?

__ Bryan

__ November 26, 2017

__23

*

HOW LONG DO BETTA FISH LIVE? AVERAGE LIFESPANS

__ Bryan

__ May 12, 2017

__42

*

WHY DO BETTA FISH FIGHT?

__ Bryan

__ May 6, 2017

__12

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