Almost everyone knows what Betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, It seems. They are very different thanks to their bright color and long, flowing fins. You will find them in all the colors of the rainbow. Their beauty has made them one of the most attractive types of fish maintained by aquarium hobbyists. However, they are not only impressive to look at. They are also very interesting pets with their sometimes amazing behavior and unique personalities.
Caring for Betta fish isn’t difficult, once you learn to avoid a few things that could negatively affect the health and well-being of your little finned friend. Let me give you ten examples below:
one. It all starts with the journey home. If you bought your Betta from a pet store, don’t take him home alone. It is best to have someone in the car with you who can hold the Betta and prevent it from experiencing bumps, sharp turns, or sudden stops. Also, never leave your Betta in the car for an extended period of time, especially if the outside temperatures are very hot or very cold.
two. Some pet stores advise against using gravel in an aquarium. That is an error for a Betta fish tank. The substrate is where beneficial bacteria grow and help break down waste in the tank. It also adds beauty to your tank and you to secure rocks and plants to the bottom of your Betta’s house.
3. Do not overfeed your Betta. This is especially important in the beginning, before your tank has produced enough beneficial bacteria. Remember: less food means less waste produced by Betta. You might be surprised to learn that bettas can live up to ten days without food.
Four. Never use soap or chemicals to clean the tank or aquarium or any of the decorations. If there is any build-up of algae, you may need to do more than just cleaning. A 15-minute soak in a 10% bleach solution will suffice. But don’t let them soak for more than 15 minutes.
5. Avoid plastic plants (unless they are new and very soft to the touch) in your aquarium or anything that contains metal that will eventually seep into the water and poison your Betta.
6. Do not leave the Betta tank uncovered. Bettas love to jump. You must prevent them from jumping out of the tank. When covering the tank with a lid, make sure it has holes for ventilation. Another option is a mesh screen. This will protect the Betta not only from itself, but also from predators, such as your pet cat.
7.Tap water would kill your fish due to chlorine, chloramine and other chemicals. Use a dechlorinator (such as Stress Coat) and AmQuel. Also, never use distilled water, because it does not have enough mineral content.
8. Do not clean the tank too thoroughly! You need the buildup of good bacteria for your Betta to stay healthy.
9. Be very careful with powered filters. Contrary to the opinion of some personal pet stores, Bettas like very calm waters. Too much movement will stress your Betta. A sponge filter would be your best option. They are the quietest and also the least expensive.
10. Find out if your Betta will be happy alone. There are different theories on the subject of Betta’s social needs. Many believe that Bettas are perfectly happy alone, that they should remain alone. Others swear that Bettas need stimulation and the presence of other Bettas or Betta compatible fish.
These conflicting beliefs seem to suggest that we really don’t know what is best for our betta fishInstead, we may be projecting our own preferences onto them. Get to know your Betta, observe him, try different things and keep an open mind. They have different personalities and it could be that while one Betta is perfectly happy alone, another thrives in good company.
If you want to create a community tank, learn about good tank mates for Betta fish. Also be on the lookout for conflicting advice on that topic. Some simple guidelines that most seem to agree on are:
- Do not put two Betta males together unless you know their personalities well and are a large tank.
- A male and female don’t belong in the same tank either, unless you’re raising them.
- Avoid placing Gouramis, Platy and Variatus with Betta. They can become too aggressive.
- Also avoid any fish that have long fins and that your Betta might mistake for another Betta.
These are the most common mistakes you could make with your Bettas. Avoiding them and learning the simple principles of proper Betta fish care will help you keep your fish as long as they are truly meant to live.
– Mischa