Do bettas prefer small tanks, like the specially made betta tanks, or bigger spaces?

Question

I have a betta in my 2.5 minibow with some other fish, but I got to get him out because he just killed one of my platies yesterday, so what do you suggest I get?? Like a special small betta aquarium or what? I don't want it to be too expensive, just a small good home for him. And with the small ones, how often should you clean them if there's no filter!?

Would someone also refer me to some good small betta aquariums like online.

Answer 1

I'm with Iceni - that tank is simply too small to house a betta with anything else, other than ghost shrimp (and even then, they will become a snack for your betta). If you want a betta community tank, look into at least a 10-gallon tank with a heater and filtration. And depending on how many fish are left in that small tank, you may be overstocked.

Look into at least a 5-gallon setup for your betta. Keep in mind, you should have a heater and filter for this tank. I believe Walmart sells 5-gallon tanks with the light and filter for around $30, but you'll have to buy the heater separately.

Bettas do not belong in unfiltered, unheated bowls. Nor do they only like small spaces. To all you people saying that this is what they're used to, look at the following link:

http://www.bettadreams.com/ricepaddies.html

Those paddies are thousands of gallons in volume.

Answer 2

I originally had my guy alone in a 1 gallon filtered hex. He seemed ok, but then put him in a 5 gallon hex with a filter and a heater with a few smaller communinty fish and he seems to be thriving.
Bettas will do well in a filtered tank as long as the flow is slow. As in any tank if there is enough room, you can have a community. Perhaps the 2.5 was crowded. I bought my tank at Walmart for about 25$.

Answer 3

I have to believe they like larger tanks better. I had a betta before and it swam from one side of the ten gallon tank to the other freely. I don't know why pet shops insist on keeping them in small bowls. Maybe because they have to be separated from each other. Also they can breathe directly from the air above the water. But for the fish's happiness, I prefer to keep it in a bigger tank.

Answer 4

2.5 gallons is too small for fish to be sharing. Bettas will get along well with other fish if you don't overcrowd them. Buy a ten gallon set up for all of them and use your little tank for platy fry.
A

Answer 5

it is true, betta are puddle fish. most bettas just sit there the whole day. However, our betta is CONSTANTLY moving. we can never catch him and he NEVER sits still. we just got him a new tank today and he LOVES it. if your betta is constantly moving get him a bigger tank, but if he just sits still, you can TRY a smaller one. also, before you put him in the new tank, let the water sit for 24 hours so that it gets room temp. and if its a smaller tank, once a week (TRUST ME) and if its bigger you can do it once every 2 - 3 weeks. But, w/ the bigger tanks you almost want to get one w/ a filter. ours cost 20 dollars w/ tank, filter, light, plant, and rocks! good luck!

Answer 6

Yes betta fish can live in small spaces but they seem to be happier in a bigger bowl. I use half gallon bowls and big vases and they seem to work. The smaller the bowl the more often you need to change the water.

Answer 7

They are very territorial so you have to keep them separate. They're probably happier is something bigger those globe bowls you buy them in, but they don't need all the filtration systems you use in aquariums because in the wild they live in swampy water and can come up for air from the atmosphere. The bright colors are so they can find each other though murky water during breeding season.

Answer 8

I do not know what they perfer, only one to a tank....How often you clean depends on size of tank. What about a regular size normal fish bowl, like the ones for gold fish?

Answer 9

i had one in a 5g at first but i think he prefers the maller tank i put him in . i have some dwarf catfish in with him as well. i try and clean the smaller tank at least once a week. but i also use a small filter system in the tank as well

Answer 10

they have some cheap tanks that you can get at the pet shop, like the plastic ones with the colorful lids. you should generally clean the tank out at least once every two weeks, depending on how much he utilizes it.