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Betta Fish Care Guide
Did You Know?
- Betta Fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, are native to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
- In the wild, their colors are pretty dull, except when they get agitated. However, the Betta Fish, popular for keeping in aquariums, have been bred to display vibrant red, green and royal blue colors.
- Bettas are labyrinth fish and can breathe oxygen directly from the air.
- The Betta name is from an ancient clan of warriors called the “Bettah”
- They will fight each other regardless of gender.
Species Information
LIFE SPAN
3-5 years
AVERAGE SIZE
2-3.5 inches depending on variety
NORMAL BEHAVIOR & INTERACTION
Male Betta Fish are intolerant of each other, while females can sometimes be housed together. Bettas get along very well with other community type fish as long as the other fish are not prone to nipping the long fins of Bettas.
WATER TEMPERATURE
76-78°F
FEEDING
Bettas are predominately insectivorous. They should be fed once to twice daily. The majority of their diet, about 75%, should be commercial pellet or flake food. The remainder of their diet should be live or frozen foods.
LIGHTING
Fish require a clear day/night cycle to thrive.
ENCLOSURE SIZE
The enclosure should be a solid glass or acrylic aquarium. The minimum aquarium size for a Betta is a 2 ½ gallon aquarium.
HABITAT MAINTENANCE
Water changes are the most important aspect of keeping happy and healthy Betta Fish. A partial water change, up to 1/3 of the total water volume, needs to be done every 2-4 weeks to remove built up wastes and harmful dissolved compounds. If you are keeping a Betta in a small tank without a filter (NOT recommended), then water changes need to be done every 7 days or more frequently. The media in an aquarium’s filter should be changed once a month to once every other month.
ACCLIMATING NEW FISH
We recommend floating the bag containing the new fish in your aquarium for 15 minutes to equalize temperatures. At that point you can add a ½ cup to 1 cup of tank water to the bag (depending on the bag size). Wait another 15 to 20 minutes and then add another ½ to 1 cup of tank water to the bag. Repeat this cycle 3-4 times and then catch your fish and release him into his new tank. Discard all water used for acclimation.
RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES
- Aquarium of your choice (2.5 Gal minimum)
- Appropriately sized aquatic light & hood
- Aquarium heater
- Thermometer
- Filter
- Gravel & tank decorations
- Live aquatic plants
- Betta pellets & flake, live or frozen food
- Water test kit
- Water dechlorinate drops
- Gravel vacuum
Vet Approved
Our Care Guides are designed to assist in general knowledge and requirements for the care of your new family member. We strongly encourage further research and consultation with your veterinarian on the complete and proper care of any new pet.
For more information visit petsuppliesplus.com, cdc.gov/healthypets or contact your veterinarian.
Always wash your hands before and after handling your pet or cleaning its habitat, and remember that any pet can scratch, bite or transmit disease to humans.
For pregnant women, persons with compromised immune systems, or if you have children under the age of 5, we strongly recommend contacting your physician prior to purchasing or caring for a new pet.
Please see the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/healthypets for more information.
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