BETTA FISH CARE GUIDE
Here’s all the things we recommend to keep your betta fish happy and healthy!
Betta fish are colorful, intelligent, and full of personality! You may see them advertised as low-maintenance pets that can live in tiny bowls, but bettas need a properly equipped aquarium to thrive.
Aquarium Setup
● Tank Size: 5 gallons. (Small containers or tanks without a filter are difficult to maintain so we do not recommend them.)
● Filtration: A filter is essential. Choose a gentle, low-flow filter.
● Heating: Maintain a stable temperature of 76–80°F with an aquarium heater.
● Decor: Provide live or soft fake plants, hiding spots, and hammocks or resting areas near the surface. Avoid sharp decorations that can tear fins.
● Lid: Bettas can jump! Keep your aquarium securely covered or keep the water low enough so they can’t jump.
Water Quality
● Cycling: Establish the nitrogen cycle before adding your betta. Beneficial bacteria help convert toxic waste into less harmful chemicals.
● Ammonia: 0 ppm
● Nitrite: 0 ppm
● Nitrate: low 1-20 ppm
● pH: Approximately 6.5–7.5. Stability is more important.
● Maintenance: Test your water regularly and perform partial water changes, 10–20% weekly or every 2 weeks. Always use water conditioner for tap water.
Feeding
Bettas are need a protein rich diet.
● Feed high-quality betta pellets as their staple diet.
● Supplement occasionally with treats like frozen bloodworms, live brine shrimp, or microworms.
● Feed small 5-8 pellets once a day. Larger and active bettas can be fed twice daily.
● Remove any uneaten food to prevent water quality issues.
Tank Mates
Bettas are territorial, and compatibility varies by individual. Some are aggressive or some just stress easily.
● Male bettas: Never house two males together.
● Female bettas: Can also be aggressive. We do not recommend sororities for beginners.
● Male/Female Pairs: Males will often fight regardless of gender. Only keep pairs if you are an experienced breeder with temporary breeding tanks.
● Other species: Some bettas tolerate peaceful fish or snails in appropriately sized aquariums, but many prefer living alone. Add tankmates with caution.
Important Info
Bettas can breathe air, but that doesn’t mean they can live in dirty water!
Their labyrinth organ allows them to breathe atmospheric oxygen, but they still need clean, heated, filtered water.
We do not recommend bowls, vases, or unfiltered containers as permanent homes for betta fish.