How often should I change my siamese fighting fish's water?

Question

I have a betta in a small round bowl. There is no filtration system; just some gravel and an artificial plant. Please can you tell me when and how to change the water? Since I got him I have simply been 'topping up' the water when it evaporates.

Just to let you know .. I've only had him a couple of days, so I don't think I've been neglecting him. It's warm and dry in my bedroom so that's why the water's been evaporating. I do want to be good to him .. that's why I asked the question.

Answer 1

Well, you really ought to try moving him to a larger tank. Bettas don't do well in small bowls, despite what the petstores tell you. In the wild, bettas don't live in tiny muddy puddles - they live in warm, wide, shallow expanses of clean water. Their water in Thailand is 80F, and it is impossible to get this temp even if your room is 80F, as water is always about 10F lower than whatever your room temp is.
The best thing you could do for him would be to get him a 5 gallon tank with a filter and a heater, and you could replace 30% of the every week,

If you must keep him in a bowl, then you will have to do much more frequent water changes. Bettas, like all fish, produce toxic ammonia. Without a filter, this ammonia just adds up and must be removed often. I suggest you use a clean turkey baster and suck out half the water and any uneaten food and poop every day, at the worst every other day.

If you leave the ammonia to build up for too long, your betta get sick from it.

Answer 2

A good rule of thumb when it comes to water changes is for every 1 gal of water, add another week until a water change is needed.

For example:
1/2 gal tank - one water change every 3-4 days.
1 gal tank - one water change every week.
2 gal tank - one water change every two weeks (although it is not a bad idea to do a 25-50% partial water change in between full water changes)

For any tanks 3 gal or less, do a full 100% water change. Any larger, and you should consider getting a filter and then only doing partial water changes.

However, from the sound of it, I'm guessing your betta bowl is in the 1/2 gal - 2 gal range. When you do a water change, wash the bowl and all tank accessories with hot water ONLY - no soap. Soap can get caught in the microfractures of your bowl, no matter how much you rinse it out, and soap is very bad for your betta.

Add water conditioners to the new water. I highly suggest using Amquel+ and NovAqua+, as they will get rid of any toxic materials in the water, but at the very least, use something to dechlorinate the water. Chlorine with kill your fish. Also, make sure the new water is at the same temperature as the old water, or your betta will go into shock.

Don't bother with 'topping up' the water. If the water is really evaporating a very noticeable amount, you are most likely waiting too long between water changes. Either that, or your bowl is ridiculously small. If you can ever afford it, I suggest upgrading your betta to at least a 2.5 gal tank. He'll love the extra space, and you won't have to change the water as often :)

Good luck with your new friend!

Answer 3

Depends on how large the bowl is,how much you over feed,water and air temperatures, and a lot of other stuff.However topping up is not the way to go,the fish is living in a broth of dirty water and his own poop. If you were in its place how often would you like to have the water changed? Don't change the water all at one time but until you get the water freshen up change some every day,then keep it clean with dechlorinated water changes twice a week. Be good to the little guy. Hope this helps. PeeTee

Answer 4

Every four days, change 25% of the water.

Do not completly change the water as the posters below me have indicated. There is bacteria in the water that is important to keep your fish healthy. You want to change part of the water to keep the ammonia down, but not all, so you do not stress your fish and you keep a healthy level of bacteria. With a bowl your size I would maybe use a turkey baster (not one that has ever been used) to remove the water.

It is best if the water you add back into the bowl has been sitting 48 hours to remove any chlorine

Answer 5

I would change the wter weekly clean the plant in warm water and rinse the gravel while your betta is in a small bowl also when changing water put the betta in a small bowl. and use stress coat in water.

Answer 6

Chinese Fighting Fish Care

Answer 7

Every week. maybe two times a week since there is not filtration system and it's in a bowl. the waste will build up alot more and alot faster in that small of a system.

Answer 8

Siamese scuffling with fish opposite to primary perception are literally not chilly water fish. they are tropical, its in simple terms that they are truly hardy. As for the fish bowl, thats not sufficiently large. truly you should have a small tank with a operating clear out, heater, the works. notwithstanding i recognize thats probable impracticle. i ought to point getting a truly tremendous fish bowel, something you are able to fantastically a lot in high-quality condition your head in. in simple terms put in gravel and per chance an person-friendly plastic plant for only slightly of hiding. The foodstuff should be high-quality, theres particular foodstuff you'll get called beta fish foodstuff or siamese wrestle fish foodstuff or something similar, yet what you've should be high-quality. Do water variations (about 0.5 or one thirds of the water) per week to each and each fortnight replacing the dirty water with dechlorinated water, utilising a dechlorinater liquid. Thats the least you should do for the fish. attempt to save him in a semi-warmth element of the living house, as they are TROPICAL, or atleast semi tropical. Dont freak out regardless of the reality that he should be high-quality. in case you adore him plenty you should even get a small air stone for him, with a small pump, yet thats non-obligatory. I dont recognize how a lot you learn about fish yet i imagine this can help. scuffling with fish want extra care than in many situations theory notwithstanding the above in my view is proper, there nonetheless low maintenace.

Answer 9

In my opinion, that is horrible. You should remove the fish and completely empty the bowl, clean it vigerously, place clean water back into the bowl. Just "topping it off" is not goos for the fish or you. The dirt and germs in the bowl are extremely dangerous to your health. You should change your water bowl (depending on the cleanliness) every 2 wks, or as needed.

Answer 10

There is a site on goggle on betta's ask your question.Get all the answers from water change to feeding and light and heat source's.But according to all the books I have read it's 7 days.