Who knows anything about Bettas?

Question

I am currently getting my masters in ichthyology and have been reading some of the fish questions on this site. I must say I hate how people are posting answers they know nothing about, in turn they get picked for best answer by someone who believes them. There are many myths about fish going around this site. It seems not one person knows anything about Bettas. Everyone keeps putting wrong information on them.

I have decided to post this question and give ten points to the first person that gets it 100% correct. I realize there are many species of Bettas each with different needs. I am referring to the species Betta splendens the most common one sold in pet stores.

How long do they live for, what tank size should a Betta have, pH level, water temperature, kind of filtration, need hard or soft water, salinity level, and high or low alkalinity.

Remember 10 points to the first person to answer it all correctly.

Answer 1

Obviously there is no one set of correct answers here.

I doubt anyone truely has a good estimate of the natural lifespan of bettas, however when I was once working with him Dr. Gene Lucas told me he routinely kept them 5 years + and some reached in excess of 7 years. I have had at least 2 bettas reach that age.

In my opinion tank size is far less important than water quality. Many millions of bettas have been kept in a healthy environment within the confines of a 1/2 gallon bowl and matured, spawned and lived years. I think the idea that a betta must have a larger container is primarily driven by the poor results novice fishkeepers get when keeping them in a small container without proper maintenace.

B. splendens is a naturally very adaptable species and appears in an extremely wide variety of condition but in the wild and in generations long captive raised lines. There is no one correct pH, hardness, temperature etc. It's what the fish is adapted to currently.

Here's a story on temperture that illustrates the point. In the late 1980's I attended a IBC International show held in St. Louis, MO for the purpose of judging the show along side Dr. Lucas and learning from the accepted master of bettas. On Saturday morning we arrived at the show site only to find that the heater had broken in the facility and the temperature had dropped to the low 60's in all of the bowls. Yes, 1/2 gallon bowls for the most valuable B. splendens in the hobby. Obviously the fish would not flare or show good color in such a temperature. Dr. Lucas had the show staff pour out 1/2 the water in each bowl and bring a trash can filled with 110F water. It actually was about 115F according to the thermometer. He then poured approx. 3 cups of this water into each bowl about 15 minutes before judging that class instantly bringing the temperature from low 60's to middle 70's. 24 hours later as the show was being struck, there had been not a single loss. So just how tough are they? I don't know, but Dr. Lucas certainly did.

RIP Dr. Lucas, you taught us and we listened.

MM

Answer 2

They can live for about 8 years. Bettas should not be kept in bowls... they need at least a 10 gallon tank with both a heater and a filter. A simple hob filter will do the job.

For the water a PH of around 7 +-1, for the temperature I find 79F is good. They can live in water that is anywhere from 5-20dh. I think that covers all of it.

Answer 3

Well, you'll probably get arguements from a lot of the folks on the forum about any answers you give/get. Some are only here for the points and don't care about accuracy in their answers - or the effects of giving wrong advice to newcomers to the aquarium hobby. Even in this question, you'd have to admit that the answers would depend on the source from which you get your information. And you'd find some natural variation in the natural habitat.

longevity - they should live an average of 3 years, with 9 years being the oldest fish know documented

tank size - I wouldn't recommend under a gallon, but keep my bettas in a minimum 2.5 gallons preferably 5 gallons to maintain temperature and chemical stability

pH - the natural habitat ranges from 6.0-8.0, although I've had them is slightly more alkaline (8.3) because of naturally high tapwater where I once lived

temperature - natural habitat 75-86o F (24-30o C) - I keep mine 76-80o unless in a spawning tank or raising fry

filtration - not considered absolutely necessary (especially in a breeding tank, where turbulance can destroy bubble nests and be detrimental to developing fry) but it can be used for tanks with individual males or female groups - I use hang-on nano filters adjusted for slow flow rates to decrease surface disruption for ease of surface breathing and ease of swimming for long-finned males

hardness - moderate - natural waters range from 5-20dh

salinity - Bettas are considered a "freshwater" fish, so added salt is not absolutely necessary unless distilled water would be used; if added, concentrations should be low (1 tsp/5 gallons)

alkalinity - low-moderate - I like at least 12-15ppm to provide some buffering capacity

Answer 4

Betta are not to any extent further extreme maitenance. they're small fish that you'll purchase at PetSmart or PetCo. they in many circumstances are available in small plastic cups and they don't desire a heater, water purifyier or blood worms. both gallon tank will provide your fish with quite some room to swim. do no longer positioned 2 fish interior a similar tank!!!! they're going to wrestle and kill eachother. they don't desire a michine to filter out air into the tank, that provides an further of oxygen and kills them. only unload them into the tank when you filled it almost to the right with favourite tap water. once you position the fish in the tank, do no longer unload out the water it got here in. The fish desires that to stay alive. do no longer feed it too a lot and attempt to feed it another day. The tank turns into dirty very rapidly. at the same time as the time is composed of sparkling the tank, get rid of the fish and position him in a bowl or cup with a number of the old tank water. sparkling the tank, enable the sand, gravel, or different tank decorations settle lower go into reverse, then pour him lower back into the tank alongside with the water from the old tank. to make effective you've a healty fish, seem on the trailing counsel of its fins. in the adventure that they are getting white in sparatic kinds that do not adventure its organic colour scheme, opt for a multiple fish. in case you come back to a call to purchase 2 fish, get a plastic tank divider. that's a lengthy, flat piece of plastic that you position into the tank so as that the fish do not get to eachother and kill one yet another. they don't favor a lot and are nice in almost any surroundings. see you later as you do not positioned the tank in an section the position the water will boil, they're frequently everywhere in the homestead. P.S. in case you position a mirror in the front of them, they're going to flare their gills and posture as if waiting to wrestle. that's somewhat pleasing yet will practice you what they offer the effect of being like at the same time as they're mad and in a position to wrestle. sturdy good fortune with the fish!! ;)