Okay Please tell me the right way to keep a beta fish?

Question

I KNOW its cruel to keep them in a small little tank. I have a 2 gallon tank. Do I fill it all the way to the top? or do they like their water shallow? I have a lamp and a heater. Do I need a filter to keep it clean?? Can I put a snail in there? What are Betta's rights? :)thanks

Answer 1

There is no such thing as too big of a tank for a beta. That person is repeating the myth. It would be like saying that we prefer a economy/studio instead of a mansion. Here is a quote from the website I linked to at the bottom

Quote: "First, if this is your first time purchasing a betta, put that tiny Betta Hex Tank down! These are usually marketed as convenient and stackable and perfect for your betta, claiming that bettas actually prefer tiny spaces. This is not only unequivocally untrue, it is detrimental to your betta! The ammonia and nitrates build up so fast in these tiny containers that the betta would have to receive 100% water changes every single day in order to remain healthy. And keep in mind that surviving is not the same as thriving. Many bettas can survive in incredibly cramped conditions if their water is kept very clean, but one might question the quality of life of these fish. Like any fish, a betta likes wide open spaces to swim and to explore, and it's inhumane to try to force him to exist in a container the size of a drinking glass for his entire life. " -EndQuote

The first poster's link has great info if you read it all. The site I linked to has much more info and I know there is an article in it where they had betas living over 10 years with clean water and fed properly.

I am happy to hear you want to know the proper way to raise them.

Best to you, study from respectable sites and don't just listen to opinions (even mine) ... your fish will love you for it!

Answer 2

Betta fish need little attention. If the tank has a lid fill it all the way up. If not leave an inch or two because they like to jump out. They do not need a heater just change 1/4 of the water each week and it should stay pretty clean. Once a month scope out some water into another container and put the fish in their and clean the tank and put the Betta back in.

Answer 3

Do NOT fill the water all the way to the top of your tank - especially if there is a lid or if you have a vase with a plant! Betta are air breathers and need the surface air to breathe. This is one of the problems with the vase and plant set-ups. People tend to let the plant roots take over the top of the vase and block off access to the surface of the water and the betta dies - anyway - give your betta some airspace. Secondly - I agree that bettas do like larger tanks. Mine have always been in 5 gallon tanks and have lived happy, long lives - living an average of 5-6 years. They do like their water temperature closer to 78-80 F, so a heater is a handy thing to have. They can certainly survive without one, but if you purchase one, you will see a change in your betta - he will be happier - swimming around more, creating a larger bubble nest, just becoming more alive - try it.

Answer 4

I have had a few in the past couple of years and I find that the bigger tank you put them in just means more unnecessary clean up for you, because they don't swim around hardly at all. Something small is fine. They do not require a filter but if you want to use a bigger tank and not clean it every week, then go ahead and use one. I've never heard of a Betta fish needing a lamp or a heater, but I guess if were you live is relatively cold than yes, maybe you should use it. Bettas will not get along with anything else breathing in their water...they are best kept alone...unless you have one of those dual or tri-pod tanks but then they'd be flaring at each other all day. lol.

Answer 5

You are on just the right track! A 2 gallon is a great home for a betta. A small filter would be a wonderful addition to the stuff you already have and should be a nice stable tank your betta will be comfortable in for years to come. Fill it all the way up so that the filter will work properly and to give him plenty of swimming room.

MM

Answer 6

To feed a Betta i recommend Hikari Betta Pellets. I feed my Betta 4 pellets every other day. Bettas dont exactly need a filter they usually come in electric aquariums. My betta does not have a fliter i change his water every week. I also Have A snail in the Aqaurium and it does not bother the betta at all so you can put a Snail in there. Never use tap water for the betta since it has Clorhine in it which is harmful for fish. if you are going to use tap water let it sit a couple of days till it declorizes or use water conditioners. Also never put two Male Bettas together they will fight to the death.

Answer 7

Your right, itty bitty tanks are seemingly cruel, but so are really large ones for betta's. They like their small spaces if you do put them in a large tank... for example they will stay in the corner under the roots of plants or in a little cave... Its more or less their "comfort zone". Usually, no more than a gallon container. They don't need heaters or any special lights, or even filters. Outside of their gills they go to the surface for air. I wouldn't put any other fish or creatures in the same tank. You might be alright w/ the snail.
Betta's are the easiest fish to take care of, just feed them, and clean their tank about 2 times a month... (Depending on the size of tank of course)

Hope this helps!

Answer 8

take the neons out. not likely via betta, yet because of the fact they could desire to be in shoals of 6 or greater interior the bare minimum of a ten gallon tank, ideally 15 gallon tanks or greater. the betta is being territorial in direction of them, he could try to nip at them. particularly, any form of mid-swimming shoaling fish would not make a sturdy tankmate for a betta. they do greater useful with non-descript backside dwellers like corys and otocinclus - lower back those 2 varieties of fish choose 10-15 gallons minimum.

Answer 9

I have one that has been with me now for about 8 months. He is in one of those large vases with a plant on top. In the early days of having those, people thought they eat the roots and they all died because no one was feeding them.

I feed mine dried blood worms. He doesn't like the flakes or the little pellets, just the blood worms. They are very picky eaters. I also clean his vase every week, and I only use bottled water or filter it in a brita pitcher. I tried using the chemicals with tap water and it almost killed him.

I read the websites that don't recommend the vases, but if you care for yours regularly and carefully, they are fine. A bunch of us at work have them and they are successful.

So far, so good for mine... Good luck!

Answer 10

First of all, it's Betta not Beta. Beta is a computer term...
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Yes, fill it to the top.

It is better with a filter.

Bettas will eat certain types of snails.


Ps. Many people think that Bettas are coldwater, but they are actually tropical, and prefer the water 75-80F. Check here - http://liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=990&N=0