healthy betta fish

Things That You Must Know to Keep Healthy Betta Fish In Tank

No doubt betta fish is one of the most popular tropical fish species. It’s a beautiful, colorful, and hardy fish that makes an excellent first pet for new aquarium hobbyists. But if you’re thinking about getting your first betta fish, or adding another betta to your existing tank, there’s a lot more to consider than just how pretty it looks floating around in there.

The health and well-being of your little friend depend on plenty of factors: from how large your tank is (or isn’t!) to what temperature she/he’ll live in best. In this article, I will address all these questions and hopefully, at the end of this article, you will know a lot of information to keep your betta fish healthy.

Where Are Betta Fish From?

Betta fish are a species of gourami. They were originally native to Thailand and Indochina, but have since been introduced to other areas in Southeast Asia.

Bettas can be found living in shallow freshwater water such as marshes, ponds, rice paddies, and slow-moving rivers where they feed on insects and crustaceans.

Are Betta Fish Easy To Care For?

betta fish in bowl

Betta fish are a popular starter pet for people who want to keep an aquarium. They’re low maintenance, don’t require much space and they can live in small containers.

Bettas are also easy to care for because they live in warm water (78 degrees Fahrenheit) and can breathe air from the surface of their tank when the oxygen level is low. A betta fish won’t survive long if its tank gets too cold or has too little oxygen, so always make sure your pet has enough space and be sure to check your water parameters regularly!

Even though they are easy to care but still these pets require some attention. So at the end of the day, it all depends on how much you love your Betta Fish.

Tips To Keep Healthy Betta Fish In Tank

Here are a few things that you should consider while taking care of your betta fish in tank.

1- Ideal Tank Size

The minimum tank size for a single Betta is 5 gallons. That’s because bettas are very active and need space to swim around, as well as places where they can hide when they feel threatened.

A 5-gallon tank would have the following measurements (approximately):

  • Length; 18 in (46 cm)
  • Height; 10 in (25 cm)
  • Width; 10 in (25 cm)

2- Tank Shape

fish tank

rectangular tank is the best option for a Betta fish tank, as it’s easier to clean and move around. A round tank is more difficult to move, clean, and decorate with plants. The water quality of your Betta fish will also be better in a rectangular tank because it will have less surface area than a circular one.

In addition to being easier to care for overall, you can find many different filter options that are specifically designed for use in rectangular aquariums!

3- Tank Placement

When you’re placing your betta tank, keep it away from direct sunlight. Your betta fish needs to have a cool environment and sunlight can heat up the water too much. You’ll also want to avoid placing the tank in areas that are prone to drafts or drafty rooms.

Another thing that should be avoided is having the aquarium placed near fans since these will bring in dust particles that can hurt or even kill your pet fish.

Don’t place your aquarium where there’s excessive noise like traffic outside or lots of activity inside (like around busy kitchens).

Lastly, when you’re placing your betta tank, make sure it’s not near any window sills or room heaters. These things will affect the temperature of the water and could harm your pet fish.

4- Maintenance Schedule

Here is the maintenance schedule that you should follow:

1- Water change schedule: Change 25% of the water every week. If your fish has a poor appetite, you can increase this to 50%.

2- How often to clean the tank: Clean the tank with a sponge and bucket once each month. If there are any stains on the grass or gravel, use a mild vinegar-and-water solution to wipe them off. Wash all decorations in warm soapy water before putting them back into the tank. You’ll also need to vacuum up any debris from time to time; aim for once every 2 weeks or so (depending on how many fish are in there).

3- How often change filter cartridges: Change these every 4–6 weeks if using biological filters or twice per month if using mechanical ones (such as foam pads).

5- Heater Type

You’ll want to keep your betta fish tank at a temperature of 78 degrees. In order to do so, you’ll need a heater. If you can’t remember the last time you changed your thermostat or if your AC broke down, then maybe it’s time for an upgrade.

The Fluval E Electronic Heater offers a wide temperature range from 68-93 degrees Fahrenheit and can be adjusted in 0.5-degree increments (which is very important). It also has an automatic shutoff feature if water gets too hot or cold; this is great for those who live in areas with sudden changes in weather patterns throughout the year.

The Fluval E Electronic Heater is designed specifically for betta fish tanks, making it perfect for betta fish owners who want something simple yet effective that won’t break their bank account either (or burn down their house).

6- Filter Type

In short, You should use a sponge filter for your betta fish. This type of filter is ideal for the needs of your fish and will keep it healthy and happy.

If you’re new to aquariums, you may not know all the ins and outs of what makes a good filter. While there are many options available on the market, there are only two types that can be used for betta fish tanks: sponge or internal power filters.

The best choice for most people is a simple sponge-based external filter because it’s affordable, easy to use, produces very little noise, and requires minimal maintenance once set up correctly.

Sponge filters work by passing water through layers of foam which trap debris while allowing oxygen into the water column below them, the perfect place where tiny Betta fry will spend most of their time hiding out. If you have more than one Betta in your tank then using multiple sponges will help prevent unnecessary stress due to overcrowding.

7- Ideal Water Parameters For Betta Fish

betta fish in tank

The ideal temperature of the water should be between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Your betta fish will enjoy the higher temperatures, but they can also acclimate to lower ones. It’s important that you keep your betta fish at this temperature if you want them to be healthy, active, and live a long life.

The pH level should be around 6-7 with an ideal GH level of 3-8 GH. This is more important for freshwater fishes than saltwater ones as they have more delicate bodies which are affected by changes in pH levels more easily than saltwater fish who are used to having wider ranges of pH levels in their environments.

8- Substrate Type

A substrate is a material that covers the bottom of your aquarium. It is usually made up of small pebbles or gravel and acts as a natural filtration system. The substrate holds waste and food particles, which in turn allow beneficial bacteria to break down harmful ammonia into nitrite and finally into nitrate which is removed through regular water changes.

Gravel by far makes up the greatest percentage of substrate used in tank setups around the world. It’s inexpensive, easy to install and maintain, aesthetically pleasing, offers some protection from sharp objects (like rocks), and will not cloud your water like sand may sometimes do over time, there are many other reasons why gravel should be your go-to choice for betta fish tanks.

9- Tank Decorations

For the best tank decorations, you will need to select them with a lot of care. The decorations that are used in the aquarium should be selected according to the size of your tank. You can pick any ornaments that you like: rocks, wood, caves, or driftwood; these are all good options for betta fish tanks.

Decorative items such as fake plants and figurines are also great choices for your Betta’s home. Live plants make a good addition if they have hardy root systems so that they don’t get uprooted by your Bettas’ swimming habits.

What Do Betta Fish Eat?

Betta fish should not only be fed a diet consisting of fruits and vegetables. They should rather be fed protein-rich pellets or flakes. While it can be tempting to provide them with nutrient-rich foods such as krill, mealworms, and even brine shrimp, these are all unsuitable for betta fish because they contain too much fat. So it’s better to avoid them.

How Often Should I Feed My Betta Fish?

Feeding your betta fish is an important part of maintaining their health. Ideally, you should feed them at least two times per day. Feeding too much or too little can cause health issues in your pet. If you notice that a certain type of food is making one of your fish sick, stop feeding it to all the other fish and try something else.

3 Betta Fish Diseases That You Should Be Worried About

dead betta fish

Although betta fish is prone to many diseases these 3 diseases are the most common ones that you should be aware of.

1- Fin Rot

 Fin rot is a disease that affects the fins of fish and can kill them. The disease is caused by bacteria, and it is not easy to treat. In order to prevent fin rot in bettas, you must take care of your pets with the right foods, water quality, and temperature.

The symptoms of fin rot in betta are similar to those of other diseases: the sudden death of the fish; brown spots on the fins; lesions on the dorsal fin; rapid weight loss; and bacterial infections in the gills and mouth.

Fin rot usually occurs in fish that have been kept in poor conditions or those who were fed rotten food. The most common causes are bad water quality and lack of oxygen.

2- Ich

Ich infection is usually the appearance of small white spots on the body surface, although this can vary depending on the severity of the infection. The spots do not hurt or itch, but they can be itchy and irritating to your betta’s skin.

Symptoms include:

  • Fluid buildup in the betta’s mouth and eyes
  • Blotchy white patches on the betta’s body
  • Loss of appetite

3- Swim Bladder

Swim bladder disease is a disorder that causes fish to swim erratically or upside down. It is caused by an infection that affects the kidneys, which can lead to an increased ammonia level. The organism that causes swim bladder disease is a common one, meaning that it is likely that any betta will get it at some point in its life.

The symptoms of swim bladder disease in betta vary widely depending on the severity of the infection. In some cases, only one or two signs may be present. Symptoms include:

  • Anxiety and depression
  • Lethargy or listlessness
  • Difficulty breathing or gill movements (swimming up or down)
  • Increased respiration rate
  • Reduced appetite

Can Betta Fish Live In Tap Water?

Betta fish can live in tap water but it is not recommended. Betta fish are sensitive to chlorine, which is present in most tap water.

Reasons why you should not use tap water in your betta tank:

Chlorine: Chlorine is a non-metallic element that has many uses. It’s used to purify water and make it safe for consumption. However, it also kills bacteria and other microorganisms in the tank.

Parasites: Tap water contains lots of parasites that can harm your betta fish. Some parasites like ich and gill rot are fatal for your betta fish if they get infected with them.

Infections: Tap water may contain bacteria that cause diseases such as bacterial infections, fungal infections, viral infections, or even parasitic infections like gill or fin rot.

Conclusion

There you have it! We’ve covered all the essentials to take care of a betta fish tank. A lot of people are intimidated by this hobby, but believe us when we say that it doesn’t need to be. All you need is a little bit of research, patience, and love for your pet and you will be fine. Best of luck!