What can I do to prolong the life of my betta fish as long as possible?

Answer 1

OK - I have now had mine about 6 months and these are the key things. This answer is a bit long and all over the place but if you do all of this he or she will be one happy fish for years to come. =) Some people's answers will probably be too simple and he will get sick if you listen to them - really. I tried that route. It is a tolerant fish but he can be sensitive so these things are a must - keep them stocked in case you ever need them but you shouldn't if you use these products and follow the directions and dosages carefully. =)

I use the All -Glass brand( though it is made of acrylic which is good) 2.5 MINIBOW tank and replaced the filter it came with with a Red Nano Sea Filter (petco.com) - much clearer - just much much better. I love this tank - it is great, comes in all different colors and you can upgrade if you want to in the future. It is also very easy to carry even when full - just convenient - the perfect size. They sell it with a divider so you can put one betta on each side but I think that is mean so I wouldn't do that :( Also this tank is great cause the 15 watt light bulb warms the water a bit - which betta like (76 to 82 degrees) - If you find that this is not sufficient, you can change the bulb to the 25 watt - I change them back and forth depending on when I use the air conditioner, etc - It really works well. DO NOT get a heater - that will get the water too hot and you as the pet store guy told me will make betta soup - (if your tank is over 5 gallons, you may need a heater though) But for a 2.5 gallon, the bulb is perfect! If you ever find the water is too cold, do a quarter or half water change and just add some warm water with the conditioner and it will be fine.

When you add water to the tank - use Tap water only but try to use these things: These are all MUSTS.
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Tap Water Conditioner for Bettas

Coppersafe by Mardel - a must

API BETTA FIX REMEDY (small bottle just like the one above) - this is for their fins and any irritations, tailrot, color fading, etc - a quick fix to many problems

KORDON AMQUEL PLUS - will get rid of nitrates, ammonia, and nitrates

PH UP AND PH DOWN (made by API)

(I mention those again below somewhere I think)

API(Aquarium Pharmaceuticals) Freshwater Aquarium salt
(yes it is a freshwater fish but it is proven that this helps reduce any disease, irritation, infections, etc - works wonders)
I do a little less salt then they recommend - just a touch (like a 1.2 teaspoon to help)

Tetra Easy Balance - works to level water conditioners

antibiotics - keep them on hand - I mention ones below - trust me - you will want them on hand when you need them but like I said - you shouldn't need them if you use that conditioner, some salt and the Coppersafe.

Any live food can carry parasites so don't use that --

Also - live plants can be tough so I would stick to ones that are silk or smooth plastic. Rough plastic will tear their fins******

Bettas are tolerant fish - buy a test kit for your water (API makes a good one too) Make sure ph, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are all ok - once a week or so. Also - keep the water clean - using the above producst will help and extend the amount of time you between full water changes but you should change the water every 2 weeks - one month depending on water conditions.

Make sure you add more of the above with water changes as well. It is also good to have the other Mardel products on hand - medications that is in case he gets popeye or something - read on the internet for betta diseases so you will know the first sign of anything not normal - tetracyclin e is a good one to keep as well as Maracyn Two and some others.

Bettas love silk plants cause they are soft and they can rub on them and won't tear their fins. They also love little caves that have hidey holes in them - they love to explore and sleep in the little holes - bridges, etc will do. Just make SURE they are not rough - their fins will tear.

Also - a variety of food is important. The best food for them is Hikari Tropical Betta Bio Gold Pellets - they are a little more than other foods but this one packet has lasted me over 6 months and there is a ton more left so it lasts and lasts. You can feed him 2 or 3 pellets two to three times a day - that is on the high end though but mine is healthy and that is what he gets. The other best foods are Brine Shrimp and FREEZE DRIED only Red Mosquito Larvae Blood Worms (don't worry they are just little shriveled up things). They LOVE these. It is hard to get a betta to eat any flakes - a variety in diet is one of the best ways to avoid illness. I have heard that fish that don't get the proper variety will develop hole in the head disease - which to me would be my worst nightmare so Henry gets a variety. (henry haha) Also - bettas will eat and eat but keep in mind their tummy is about the size of their eyeball so don't feed them more than that at once - they will overeat so just be careful. I would say 2 pellets twice a day to start with a bloodworm or two every other day at some point in the day.

You can also do a partial water change if it gets cloudy or the test is high. Keep API PH UP and PH DOWN on hand at all times and KORDON AM_QUEL+ too. (These will get water conditions back under control when needed and they work!)

You may also want to get some tank clear products but for me those seems to leave a film on the surface so I would not get those if I were you - the filter I mentioned will keep your tank sparking too - and it is only $12 - on sale for $9 now at Petco.com too. :o)

You can trust my advice - in the last 6 months - I have read everything and done so much research and it has paid off - he is very healthy and happy. I don't know if yours is a boy or a girl but boys will blow bubblenests which is something they do when they want to mate - it is cute and funny that they do it - they blow these bubble nests on top of the water and will often stay underneath them . Bettas do not like high water currents cause their fins get blown all over - so that filter is nice and smooth and plus - it hangs on the outside of the tank which is great. The one the 1.5 Minibow comes with hangs inside and does not really work very well at all either. Bubblenests mean that they are happy and that you are doing everything right.

I would not keep him in any other tank - this tank is the perfect amount of room to swim around in. You can check it out at most of the online pet stores (or in stores) or at Walmart.com and many other places - it is about 25 dollars and well worth the money.

When cleaning, you may want to get a junior gravel vacuum so you don't have to start all over with a fresh tank everytime you change the water - rinsing out the gravel he has been in with for a while - will take away all of the beneficial bacteria that is on the rocks so when you do a complete water change, empty all the water out except for what covers the gravel and then just swish the gravel up a bit to loosen poopies and dirt, etc - I would not rinse it thoroughly as this can contribute to any sickness, popeye, etc.

If he or she does get ill - treat them right away - this is why the meds at home on hand are such a good idea. I would consider this. You can also get an acrylic tank scrubber for the sides of the tank when you clean it out - it helps.

Overall - just make sure his or her water is between 76-82 - they sell thermometer strips that go on the outside, keep the water clean and tested - add anything that could help and add the above for water changes or totally new tanks.

Make sure you rinse rinse rinse everything you put in with him - plants, gravel, decor, etc - gravel in cool water. The tank I mentioned is acrylic but I love it - it is great. If you do get it - don't bother with that filter that comes with it - get the Red Nan one - much much better.

Oh- just so you know if you wiggle your finger in the tank every time before you feed him - he will trust you soon and come to your finger and rub against it - he will come to you. They love to be around people - they are nosy and into things - they even will watch TV. I take mine out of the tank when I clean it and he just stares at the TV.. he is too funny.

They are wonderul fish - the best - he really is so sweet and like having a dog almost..haha - well one that floats and makes bubbles.. he greets me when I come home and waves his little arms at me .. yes I know fins.. but he is just the best..

Any questions - just email me at my contact me link. The products I mentioned to you are the best and really - only products to use. All of them together will prevent him or her ever getting sick - and looking beatutiful - they will keep the water perfect. All you have to do is keep up on water changes - the longer you have him- the easier it will be.. you will know when it is time to do this or that. The Red Nano Filter needs to be replaced (the pads) every 2 weeks but they are very cheap. I would change the water then too - Just make sure you rinse everything always - no chemicals at all or soap - even the slightest trace could kill Mr. Betta. Just look him over and watch him and make sure he is ok - and not hiding too much or moping. The biggest sign that something is wrong is spots on him, not eating, or white fuzzy fur on him. But - Coppersafe will prevent all of these things if you follow the directions. If you have ?s about dosages, call API (# on back of products) - this is why I love to use their stuff - cause I can call them anytime with any questions. They recommended using eyedroppers for the medications and treatments since many of them are done by ml though some are done by teaspoons so have those handy as well. (droppers are online or in any drugstore baby aisle or something)

You can also put a mirror up to his tank sometimes and watch him blow / flare up his gills cause he thinks it is another fish - mine does this at night when all the lights are off except for his. It can piss them off too much so don' t do it too much but it is good for them - their instincts, etc ( I read) to do this sometimes - keeps them in touch with that side of them.. Don't put other fish with them - some catfish I guess but ask a pet store worker before anything - they can be territorial. Use good gravel and rinse it well - And get that tank if you have something smaller now - it is affordable and gives them a nice amount of room to move around in - they love it. It is perfect but get that Red Nano Filter instead of that Tetra one that it comes with - that thing only works for one week or one month and then the top of the water gets gross.

http://www.aquariumcorner.com/disease.htm

This is a great site with all info on diseases and maintaining tanks but she sells products so I wouldn't listen to all of her suggestions - though they may be good - she makes a profit on them - everything else is right on.
http://www.bettatalk.com/

Supplies:
PETSMART.COM
PETCO.COM
PETLANDDISCOUNTS.COM

There are tons of other sites - just type in betta info - this or that. Sorry this was a little all over the place but I was making dinner and then coming back to this and back and forth..

Good luck!!! :o)

Answer 2

Change his water frequently, and do it the right way. Make sure you use water that has been treated to remove chemicals and left out several hours so that it is the same temperature of that in his bowl. Let him adjust to the new water gradually. Feed him Betta bits daily, but not too much or the water will get cloudy...feed him no more than he will eat in a short period of time (about 3-5 bits) two or three times a day. Keep his bowl in a place where the temperature in the room does not fluctuate (not near a window or on a tv or radiator). Since bettas breathe air from the surface of the water, keep him where the air is fresh and clean (no smoke or chemicals) I had one that lasted almost five years!

Answer 3

Inconsistent water changes and over feeding are the main causes of a shortened lifespan. Make sure you change some of the water every week and always leave him a little hungry. Keep him where the water temperature will be stable and offer him a variety of food.
Frozen brine shrimp
Freeze dried tubiflex worms
Color enhancing flakes
frozen peas, thawed and popped out of the shell, cut into bite sized pieces etc.
A

Answer 4

Always make sure the fish is in water. Sorry., could not resist that. :D


When you get your Beta fish, you must remember that they like their water temperature warm. Also, just like us, they need to breathe. So when you add water to their home, don’t fill it all the way to the top. A good choice of water to use would be bottled water, as it is more clean and healthy for your fish. It is also important to change their water frequently and make sure that it is the same room temperature as the other water already in their home. They’ll also eat just about any type of fish food (see food package for instructions) and if you add a plant to their home, they’ll eat off of it and you won’t need to feed them quite as often. Take care of your fish, and they will live a long life. Enjoy your fish!

Answer 5

well my golfish lasted 5 years so i guess that counts

use a n automatic water heater that turns on and off when water is warm or cold it will up temperature to about 78- 83 degrees

Answer 6

Goldfish often stay fairly long while saved in super aquarium or exterior ponds, as much as fifteen to 2 a protracted time is In smaller or heated aquarium, a lifespan of 5 to 10 years is very obtainable Armored Catfish - 7 to fifteen years Bala Shark - 10 years Bandit Cory - 5 years Banjo Cat - 7 to fifteen years Banjo Catfish - 5 to eight years Black Neon Tetra - 5 years Black Phantom Tetra - 5 years Black Shark - 4 to 10 years Black Tetra - 5 years Black Widow Tetra - 5 years Blackfin Cory - 5+ years Bleeding coronary heart Tetra - 5 years Blindcave Fish - 5+ years Bloodfin Tetra - 10+ years Blue Gourami - 4 years Boesman Rainbow - 5 years Bronze Cory - 5 years Bumble Bee Catfish - 5 to eight years Cardinal Tetra - 4 years Cherry Barb - 5 to 7 years Chocolate Gourami - 4 years Clown Loach - 15+ years Columbian Tetra - 5 years Congo Tetra - 5 years Convict - 10 to 18 years Diamond Tetra - 5 years Discus - 10 to 18 years Dojo Loach - 10 years Dwarf Gourami - 4 years Emperor Tetra - 6 years Festivum - 10+ years determine 8 Puffer - 5 years Firemouth - 10 to fifteen years Frontosa - 8 to fifteen years sizable Danio - 5 to 7 years Glass Catfish - 8 years Glassfish - 8 years Glowlight Tetra - 5 years Goldfish - 10 to 30 years Guppy - 3 to 5 years Harlequin - 6 years Hatchetfish - 5 years Hog nostril Brochis - 10 years Honey Gourami - 4 years Jack Dempsey - 10 to 18 years Jordan's Catfish - 10+ years Killifish - a million to 2 years Kissing Gourami - 5 years Lemon Tetra - 5 years Leopard Danio - 5 to 7 years Leporinus - 5+ years Livingstoni - 10+ years Midas Cichlid - 15+ years Mollie - 4 years Moonlight Gourami - 4 years Neon Rainbow - 3 to 4 years Neon Tetra - 5 to 10 years Oscar - 10 to 18 years Otocinclus - 5 years %. - 10 years Pearl Danio - 5 years Pearl Gourami - 4 years Pictus Catfish - 8 years Piranha - 10 years Platy - 3 to 5 years Pleco - 7 to fifteen years Rafael Catfish - 7 to fifteen years Rainbow Shark - 4 to 10 years Rams - 4 years Rasboras - 5 to 10 years pink Eye Tetra - 5 years pink Rainbow - 5 years pink Tailed Catfish - 15 years Redtail Shark - 8 years Rosy Barb - 5 years Royal Pleco - 10+ years Rummy nostril Tetra - 5 to 10 years Rumy nostril Tetra - 5 years Severum - 10 to 18 years Silver greenback - 10+ years Silvertip Tetra - 5 years Swordtails - 3 to 5 years Texas Cichlid - 10+ years Tiger Barb - 6 years Tigerfish - 5 years Tinfoild Barb - 10 years the different way up Catfish - 5 years climate Loach - 10 years Whiptail - 10+ years White Cloud Mountain Minnow - 5 to 7 years Zebra Cichlid - 10+ years Zebra Danio - 5 years

Answer 7

feed it this will help.lol