Ive had him since july 8th of 2005... and hes still alive, and as beautiful as ever.
any way i can make him live a really long time? I love him :D
2006-07-05 07:03:53 · 14 answers · asked by Bree 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
They can live 3-5 years. If you bought him in a store he was 6 months to 1 year old. They do best if you keep them in a warm (76-85) tank with a gentle filter of at least 5 gallons. I keep mine at 80 as my betta tend to hang out by the heater at lower temps. The advantage of a larger tank with a filter is three fold. Better water quality over all. You can just do smaller change of 10-20% with a gravel vacuum. (Reduces temp, ph... swings during water changes.) Lastly he'll get more exercise in a large tank.
Even in a bowl there are things you can do.
0)Regular water changes once a week.
1)Reduce changes in temp. When you change the water use a bucket, or jar of water you left out over night in the same room as his bowl.
2)Don't over feed him. It fouls his water, and causes bloating. (See bettatalks feeding section)
3)Resist the urge to add tank mates. (Every new tankmate could be carrying disease.)
4)Vary food for both nutrition, and to keep you betta from getting bored. * Just avoid live food as it can carry disease. (Freeze dried worm, shrimp, and the like is the way to go.) Your flakes/pellets should have worms/shrimp/fish as it's main component.
5)Give him some simulation. The occasional mirror, or add a new hiding spot.
6)Read up on Betta care online.
*I'm a bit extreme as I tend to alternate 2 days of flakes, 1 day freeze dried brine-shrimp/worm, 2 days pellet, 1 day fast, 1 shelled cooked pea, 1 day freeze dried brine-shrimp/worm.
2006-07-05 09:26:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I've heard Male Beta can live anywhere from 3-6 yrs. To enhance his length of life, you should get him the best Beta food you can find. Also ask pet stores about the type of food he'll need should he ever get sick. They will probably have that type of food and if not another pet store in the area should. Also give him treats every now and then. They love freeze-dried mealworms. But if you touch these with your hands, you must wash them off quickly after giving them to him.
2006-07-05 07:10:33 · answer #2 · answered by Mark H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
fish in general have a short life span...betta's can die from silly things like the water being too cold when you return him to his clean home. Make sure you temp the water and put him in a bag etc to get him used to the environment each time his is let back in a clean bowl. Also there is a fungus drop that is good to buy that will keep him from getting sick. fish only have minutes when they get sick not days like a cat or dog. If you don't figure it out quick they may not make it. all the other comments about good food and such are great. the best thing you can do for your fish is talk to them. they get lonely to.
2006-07-05 07:22:45 · answer #3 · answered by kangaroo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
2-3 years. I had one live in a regular fish bowl for over 3 years. Just keep taking really good care of him.
2006-07-05 07:12:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
im not sure but i'v had my betta for about 1 and a half years and he's doing great. i just completely change his water evert two weeks. make sure that the water that you use is distilled and not tap water. feed him only 3-4 pebbles of fish food once a day and he'll live forever!!!
2006-07-05 08:46:16 · answer #5 · answered by Fishlova 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
3-5 years, possibly longer if he's in a filtered tank and suitable pH and temp.
Remember, they like their pH around 7.0, and their temp around 78 degrees. Do weekly 20% water changes. If he's in a large enough tank, consider adding some tetras, African dwarf frogs, or ghost shrimp in with him. He just might appreciate the stimulation.
2006-07-05 07:27:27 · answer #6 · answered by birdistasty 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The BEST site for information on bettas is bettatalk.com. She has so much knowledge about bettas it's incredible! Faith is a breeder and sells some great stuff for keeping your betta happy and alive! I had one for two years, but I wasn't sure how old it was when I bought it.
2006-07-05 07:11:30 · answer #7 · answered by col_neal 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a male beta could live up to 3 years with really good care and love. but my beta fish named sparky died not so long ago because of a fish disses, so be care full and make sure he is fine.
2006-07-05 07:17:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they can live between 2-3 years if you're lucky. i have a beta fish, and we got him last year and he is still healthy. don't feed him every day, feed him something like every other day, and only a little bit. that's what's been keeping my fish alive.
2006-07-06 06:52:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
a common life span is usually about 2 years
2006-07-05 07:10:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋