I want a Beta(fighting) Fish are they hard to care for?

Question

I want one but I don't really like the small tanks they come in, they seem cruel even if it is just a fish, I just want one, and I think it would be good for my mom, it would give her something to care of while am at college even if it is a fish.

What do you know about beta fish?

Answer 1

I've kept several (once had 12-14 at a time) and have spawned them a few times.

They aren't a hard fish to care for, but many are sold to people who don't understand their needs, so they aren't cared for properly.

They don't need to be kept in the little bowls - in fact, if they're given a larger space they tend to be more active. They do require warm water (they are a tropical fish, after all), so a temperature between 76-80 is best for them. This usually means buying a heater, unless your house is kept rather warm. Most houses don't let the water temperature get this high. A light over the tank will warm the water during the day, but not at night, so the heater will keep their temperature constant 24/7.

Even though individual personalities vary, most bettas will co-exist peacefully with other fish - just don't put them with fish that have a tendency to nip other fishes' fins. Two male bettas will fight, and a male and female shouldn't be kept together unless you are actively trying to breed them - even so, once the eggs are laid, the female should be removed and kept in a separate tank. Multiple females can be kept together (group of 3+), and although they may squabble among themselves, they will develop a "pecking order".

Bettas are capable of breathing air at the surface of the water through their labyrinth organ, so don't absolutely require an airstone or filter, although either will be a welcome addition to keep the water from stagnating. Remember though, with their long fins bettas aren't the fastest of swimmers and current should be adjusted to minimize the water flow.

If you're looking to buy a betta and upgrade him to a nicer small tank, why not look into the 2.5 and 5 gallon acrylic tank kits sold in pet stores (and even WalMart)? Find a fish and get a tank and gravel in a color to really show him off? (see example: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3635107) Different companies have additional tank colors.

Here a link to a website with more betta care information: http://www.bettatalk.com/

Answer 2

You are right the small containers are not good for the fish at all. You would do best with a 2.5 - 5 gallon tank and one male betta. Bettas can't be kept together, but can go with other fish in an even larger tank. A 5 gallon would be very good for one betta and 1-2 cory catfish. Your total cost on the entire package should be around $50-60. Here's alink with tons of info about keeping and cring for bettas and far more too.

http://www.bettysplendens.com/articles/home.imp

MM

Answer 3

You can buy a 10 gallon tank & put it in that. You cannot put more than 1 beta fish in a tank. You can put bottom feeder fish in with it, and some other fish - but you'll have to ask the pet store which ones. You just feed them a small pinch of fish flakes once a day.

Answer 4

I would go with a 5 or 10 gal. tank if you want a Betta and some other compatible fishmates.
A 1gal will do for just one Betta. I think Betta are fairly easy to maintain, all they need is clean conditioned water, some Betta fish food, a plant or decoration to hide. Change water weekly or less if in bigger tank. A mirror is for fun to see how they get wound up when they see themselves.
Make sure the water isn't cold, they like warmer water but not over 75.
I love my Betta and they like to show off and splash around when they know I am about to feed them.

Answer 5

betas are farley easy, you can put them in any size tank, just dont put 2 of them together, they do good with other fish also.
Just make sure you keep the tank clean and feed them beta food. Mabe put a mirror up to the tank a couple times a week though, they seem to do better when you do that then if you just let them be

Answer 6

Get an a minimum of 10G tank, a filter out for the double quantity of water (so a filter out for a 20G tank), a heater, black or brown rounded gravel, residing plant life, a TL lamp, a lid, diverse styles of nutrition, optionally: tankmates Thats it, determine which you do do 30% water transformations weekly and wash the filter out in the water to procure out of the tank, so bacteries are saved alive Feed the fish daily, enable it quickly a million day a week

Answer 7

Just get a 5 gallon tank if you hate small tanks and get a male and female. The 5 gallon kit at Wal Mart is I think $40. All you have to do is feed them 2 times a day and do a 25% water change with a gravel vacuum every month. Hope this helps! :-)

Answer 8

they arent really that hard to care for all you have to worry bout is make sure they eat and dont jump out of their fish bowl.I think they are the easiet to care for bcuz they barely need a tank and are smart but aggresive to other fish.But just feed them, clean the water once a week ,and make sure they have light and u will have a happy betta in no time.

Answer 9

Beta fish prefer to live alone....when paired with another beta or another species they generally fight ...causing one to die. In general beta's are easy to care for and they also prefer a small container. Check with your local pet store for all the info...I used to have a beta for my grandson when he lived with me and it was easy to care for...lived a very long time and (I can't even keep goldfish alive for more than a week). LOL

Answer 10

Put 'em a bowl with gravel and a fake plant or treasure chest. Feed them every day, clean the bowl once a week. They are happy doing nothing. If wanna give it some exercise, put a mirror next to its bowl.....