What is the minimum size tank for one Betta?

Answer 1

I would say 2.5 gallon but you can keep them in 1 gals but you will see a diffrence if you keep them in a 2.5 or above.

Answer 2

The humane minimum size is at least 1 gallon. Just because a betta can live in a small area, doesn't mean they like to. So don't believe the pet store's evil lies. If they suggest a "betta in a vase" setup, don't do it. I have 1 male betta in a 3 1/2 gallon plastic tank and he's very happy in there.
BTW, Bettas don't need any filtering as long as you change the water every week. They might need heating the in the winter though, depending on how warm or cool you keep your house.

Answer 3

That depends on the level of work you are willing to commit to for the fishes life span.

You can keep a betta happy and healthy in a small container of about 1/2 to 1 gallon IF and only IF you are willing to change 100% of the water every 2-3 days. Anything less will certainly harm the fishes health.

With a 2.5 gallon or so tank that has a filter and heater, you need only to change about 25% of the water every week and clean the filter about once a month.

So thing it through and plan according your your time and willingness to do tank work.

MM

Answer 4

I don't think any fish should be kept in less than 1 gallon, bit I personally use 2.5 gallon mini-bow tanks for my bettas. The size is small, but it's large enough to add some plants, driftwood, a small heater, and a filter. You can even add a snail, African dwarf frog, large ghost shrimp, or a second small fish (just not another betta) in a tank that size so your betta has a buddy.

I read so many questions in this forum about bettas that are lethargic, but mine never act that way.

Answer 5

I used to have my Betta in a 2g. I moved him to a 5g and really saw a difference in his behavior. All fish need a filter, even a Betta. Never keep a fish in a bowl. It is not humane. It can survive in a bowl without a filter and adequate space, but it wont thrive. It will be suffering. Bettas are tropical so the require a heater also. I wouldn't keep mine in anything less the a 5g. 2g is just ok. I use a Whisper 3i and a under gravel filter in my 5g Betta tank.

Answer 6

I would say like 1 gallon tank. I have a betta, and this book that I have says that bettas are used to being in smaller spaces. You should see the tanks that they come in when you buy one from petco! they are tiny!! If they can live in there, then 1 gallon or more would just be fine for them. There are specially made tanks that are the right size for bettas in petco/petsmart. You may want to look over there. But if you have a bowl that is clean ( never clean with soap, there is always a residue!) that would work fine too.

Also never put two bettas in the same bowl. They will either mate and then kill each other, or just kill each other.

I hope this helps you and good luck!!!

Answer 7

betta bowls are fine but rather give them a 5 gallon

Answer 8

The minimum size tank for one Betta would be about a three gallon. See below for more info on housing for Bettas.
Good luck! Blub blub... :)



Housing
Despite what some pet stores may say, bettas are not perfectly happy in tiny fish bowls or vases, much like you wouldn't be perfectly happy living in a closet. Because of their special breathing technique (they breath oxygen from the air, not in the water like most fish), they can survive in smaller containers as long as they have sufficient room to surface and take a breath. Smaller containers also mean more frequent water changes, which I will get to in a minute. The betta's natural environment is tropical, with slow moving, warm water. Bettas we have now have been bred to accept slightly more convenient conditions, but your betta will still do best in a tank with light filtration/aeration and kept between 75 and 80 degrees. Decorate the tank or bowl with plenty of hiding places, like rock caves and plants. Real plants will help maintain water conditions, but artificial plants are fine, and better than rotting live ones. Keep in mind that a betta's fins are long and delicate. Choose tank decorations that are smooth, so its fins don't constantly get rubbed on the rough surface. Also be sure to have some sort of lid (with ventilation!) for the bowl or tank, as bettas have been known to jump out of open containers.Water changes are important, particularly if you aren't using a filtration system in your betta's tank. I recommend at least a 50% water change a week in 5 gallon tanks or smaller. Larger tanks should be okay with a 10% change weekly. When in doubt about your tank's water conditions, use a water testing kit, available from any pet store. Before you add new water to your aquarium, be sure it is the same temperature as the old water, use a dechlorinator, and add a "stress coat" solution. Do not use distilled water.


Scientific Name: Betta Splendens
Other Names: Betta Family: Belontiidae
Origin: Cambodia, Thailand
Adult Size: 3 inches (7 cm)
Social: Males cannot be kept together
Lifespan: 2-3 years
Tank Level: Top dweller
Minimum Tank Size: 3 gallon
Diet: Live foods preferable, will eat flakes and frozen foods
Breeding: Egglayer - bubblenest
Care: Easy to Intermediate
pH: 6.8 - 7.4
Hardenss: up to 20 dGH
Temperature: 75-86 F (24-30 C)

Description: The brilliant coloration, and long flowing fins of the Betta make it one of the most well known of aquarium fish. Colors range from red to blue to white. Females are not as highly colored, and have much shorter fins. A well conditioned breeding female will often display horizontal stripes.
Habitat/Care: Bettas are one of the most recognized, most colorful, and often most controversial fish in the freshwater hobby. Debates range on about the appropriateness of keeping them in small bowls. To fully understand their needs it is important to become familiar with their native habitat. Bettas originate in the shallow waters in Thailand (formerly called Siam, hence their name), Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and parts of China. They proliferate rice paddies, shallow ponds, and even slow moving streams.
Although many fish keepers are aware that Bettas come from shallow waters, a key factor that is often overlooked is the water temperature. These countries are tropical, which means the water temperature is quite warm - often reaching into the 80's. Bettas thrive on heat, and will become increasingly listless when the water temperature falls below 75 degrees F. Water temperature is perhaps the biggest argument against keeping a betta in a tiny bowl (which cannot readily be heat controlled).
Even though Bettas do well in waters low in dissolved oxygen, that does not mean they require less oxygen than other fish. Bettas have a special respiratory organ that allows them to breath air directly from the surface. In fact they inherently must do so. In experiments where the labyrinth organ was removed, the fish died from suffocation even though the water was saturated with oxygen. For this reason, Bettas must have access to the water surface to breath air directly from the atmosphere.
Optimally the water for keeping healthy Bettas should be soft, warm, with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. Water movement should be kept to a minimum, which means that power filters and powerheads are not suitable. Bettas may be kept in a community tank as long as the water conditions are met, and if no aggressive or fin-nipping fish are present. However, only one male may be kept in each aquarium, unless they are separated by a barrier.
The use of plastic boxes that hang inside the aquarium are a suitable option for keeping more than one betta in a tank, or for keeping them in a tank with fish that might nip their fins. Females will generally not fight with each other, and may be kept in the same tank.

NOTE: Selling a betta in a vase with a Peace Lily has become in vogue. However, a flower vase is not a suitable environment for the betta. For more information check the additional information links to the right.
Diet: In nature Bettas subsist almost exclusively on insects and insect larvae. They are built with an upturned mouth that is well suited to snatching any hapless insect that might fall into the water. Internally their digestive system is geared for meat, having a much shorter alimentary track than vegetarian fish. For this reason, live foods are the ideal diet for the betta, however they will adapt to eating flake foods and frozen and freeze dried foods.
Brine shrimp, Daphnia, plankton, tubifex, glassworms, and beef heart, are all excellent options that may be found frozen or freeze dried. If flake food is fed, it should be supplemented with frozen and freeze-dried foods, and if possible live foods.

Answer 9

Betas don't really need too much room. They are very content with small areas. But, I think the best space for them is about a 2-3 gallon tank or a good sized vase works good too. You can get some vases especially for betas that you put a plant on the top and the betas eat from the roots at the bottom (can get it at Wal Mart or PetsMart). Just make sure not to have a light in the tank b/c they freak when they see their reflection:)

Answer 10

10,000 Gallons, Betta's need room to move around it!