how big does my betta tank need to be?

Answer 1

First of all, most of the posters so far don't really understand the environment betta's come from. Their water is only shallow at certain times of the year, and even at those times they still live in large amounts of well planted water, just shallow.

If you provide room for your betta, he will use it. I currently keep mine in a 15 gallon (12x24 footprint) that is planted, along with some community tankmates, and he is extremly active - they do swim quite a bit when they're given some room to. Also, warmer water makes fish more active - and betta's are tropical fish, so think heated.

It's true that they are not as comfortable in wide open spaces, but that doesn't mean they can't live in a big tank - it just means you want it nicely planted in order to provide security as it is in their real environment(real is best, fake is fine).

I wouldn't recommend anything less then 5 gallons, that way you can have stable, properly heated and filtered aquarium and even have room for tankmates if you wish. If you can go 10 or 20 gallons, even better. Or you can keep one in a cup - it won't do as well or live as long, and certainly will never be active like in a tank, but it will survive and this is enough for many fishkeepers to be happy, and 99 out of 100 betta's sold are likely kept this way, unfortunately.

FYI fish are kept in fish stores in a manner that uses the least space and costs the least money. Never, ever judge how to keep a fish by what the fish store does. Do you really think they can give several gallons for every male betta they keep? And do you really think they'll tell people they need a tank if it's going to prevent a sale?

Answer 2

I agree with ghapy that most people don;t understand bettas. That's because they somehow feel that the conditions these fish evolved from in the wild has something to do with the fish we keep. The fish you see when you go to the store to by a betta doesn't exist in the wild. It didn't come from shallow water, deep water, clean water or any other kind of water in the wild. Bettas have been carefully in bred to get the long fins and bright colors we so enjoy seeing when we admire bettas. No betta you find for sale today has ever been in the wild and is probably 200 generations or more removed from wild stock. Wild bettas are found in all kinds of conditions, including ditches full of raw sewage, this does not mean you should poop in your fish tank. So none of the wild conditions matter whatsoever to our pet bettas.

What matters is that the fish has a bit of room to move around, that the tank is large enough to filter and heat, and that you keep the water clean. A 2-5 gallon is plenty to meet those needs.

And two thumbs up to ghapy on the fish store comments! Never go by pet shop conditions to judge how you should maintain your fish at home!
MM

Answer 3

Bettas ARE NOT happy in small containers. This is a myth. In fact bettas love a larger tank. The smallest tank I would keep one in is a 2.5 gallon heated tank.
Here is a great website to look at in regards to bettas
http://aquamaniacs.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=21

Answer 4

One way is to use a vase with a plant in it. If you are forgetful, the betta will eat the plant. My sister had a betta that lived for 3 years. She had it in a aquarium. If you get an aquarium, you have to make sure it is small, has no other bettas in it, has a couple fake plants in it, and has a running filter. This makes the environment healthier for the betta and best for it's health. Hope this was helpful enough!

Answer 5

Don't fall for that whole "they come in small cups at the pet store" bit. The pet store also overcrowds their little bitty tanks that they sell other fish in. Yes, they do live in small environments in the wild, but they were not bred in the wild. When fish are bred in captivity they have different needs. If you are keeping it by itself a 1 gallon is big enough, but if they would also be very happy in a 2 gallon. I wouldn't go any bigger than 2.5 gallons if you are keeping them alone. It's a big waste after that. They also do fairly well in a community tank as long as the other fish aren't too aggressive or flashy.

Answer 6

It depends.... Just because they come in small cups at the pet store it doesn't mean that's what they should live in. They come in the small cups because males need to be separated. If there is more than one in a tank they will kill each other. Just because they can live in such a small cup it doesn't make it right. We have a betta that is in a 10 gal tank with other community fish and he is doing great. I would say anything 10 gals and smaller. Just make sure it's something with a lid because they can jump out.

Answer 7

id say 5 gallons iis good
but not only the tank
heater
good filter with not a strong current
some plants
places to hide
and i wouldnt suggest anything under 2 gallons

Answer 8

Bettas don't need big tanks. Maybe a small to medium sized tank. They don't swim a lot. Thats why in the pet shop they are in small cups.

Answer 9

a betta doesn't need a tank much bigger than your hand. however, they flourish better in a vase or bowl of about 5-6 gallons.

Answer 10

Bettas don't like big places. Thats why you see them in cups at the pet store. They like small intimate places. A gallon sized bowl would be big enough but you could probably go smaller. Check out your local pet store they have special bowls for bettas. They even have a very cool one with a divider so you can keep two bettas and they wont fight each other.