another betta question,please answer?

Question

Can any one send me pictures of an approate betta set up? I need some info about the right size, if they need a fliter, ECT. please help!

Answer 1

Basically the people telling you to get a filtered tank is the best answer in this case. No disrespect to the person speaking with we in the forum, but in all fairness, a Betta is going to thrive better in a filtered heated set up. As Kylie indicated, even a 2.5 gallon tank is going to work out. Betta's are hardy fish as others have said, but just because Betta's are hardy and can endure far worse conditions that would kill other fish doesn't make it right to house them in some bowl, or plant vase. This might be a starred question of the old saying, "If it's broke, don't fix it" because I'm sure you'll hear tons of success stories of people keeping Betta's in a bowl. I for one will NEVER advocate that, and I think it just helps promote pet stores to continue to display, keep, and sell these fish in little bowls.

Temp wise, you should treat your Betta like any other tropical. Temp range between 78-82. In the logic for the posting above, I see it, but what is not said here, why that group advocates a lower temp, is becasue they don't have a filtered set up. Producing less waste obviously is in thier best interest becasue they lack proper filtration. I don't think the justifies keeping a Betta at a temp that is considered to be for a cold water fish like Goldfish. Diet wise I think they have a good plan, and giving some bloodworms is a good way to stimulate a male to build a bubble nest also.

I happen to use an Eclipse 3 gallon set up. I even have a couple of white clouds as occupants with him. I seeded that with some gravel from my established tank, and he's doing just fine. I am not an expert breeder and there are some here in the fish forum that are. I am sure most of them would agree that Betta's should be treated in the same regard as other tropicals. If you can give them more space, there is absolutly no reason not to. UNLESS you have say a school of fin nippers like tiger barbs, or something that would just outright eat him in a bigger tank already.

http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa25/knottypeater/?action=view¤t=053007_1445b.flv

Above, my Betta in that filtered 3 gallon set up.

Answer 2

The betta did not evolve to living in small puddles. It's impossible. How did the betta get there and how would the fry get to other puddles? They live in streams. Maybe sometimes some get trapped in ponds or pubbles but it's a myth and this has lead to people confining them to little jars. Just because they can live in puddles, doesn't mean they do. It really depends on the temperature of your room. If you have other tropical fish in the tank and they've been doing fine, you'd probably not be harming the betta. But it is best to buy an aquarium thermometer (they're not expensive) and find out the water temperature and work from there. Bettas really prefer warm water.

Answer 3

I'm only going to pop in to add this: Jon, Kylie, Lovinlife and others are correct that a betta will do best in 2.5 gallons or more. CAN you keep a healthy betta in less? Yes, I have been breeding and showing bettas for over 20 years and have done it literally thousands or times with literally thousands of fish. BUT and a major BUT there.... you will be required to do serious maintanence every 2-3 days... no give or take, no forgetting, no trips, no vacation... you get the idea... it's a MUST if you keep a betta in a smaller container. Also, I will add that mine are kept in a special room of the house where the temperature is at 76F year round, so that prevents the need for a heater.

Yes, it CAN be done and is done by the majority of IBC show breeders with millions of fish each year, BUT that's different than a typical pet betta.

You and your fish will be far better off if you have a filtered, heated tank of at least 2.5 gallons.

MM

Answer 4

Kylie and Jon are correct. A Betta will thrive in at least a 2.5 gallon tank that is filtered and heated. I have my Betta's in a 10 gallon, 20 gallon and a 36 gallon tank. They need to be in water that is heated between 76-82 F. They are tropical fish. Filtration is a big plus. You will not have to do complete water changes and your Betta won't be swimming in his own waste. I breed Betta's and I provide them all with a healthy home. And NO matter what kind of tail type, they all need the same PH level and heat.

Answer 5

A good betta set-up is a minimum 2 gallon tank with a sponge filter (causes least water current; bettas hate water current) and a heater. A light is optional. It will also need hide-outs like caves or plants. Make sure the plants are silk or rubber - plastic will cut their fins. In general, I do not put anything into my tanks unless it is perfectly smooth - eg small flower pots for caves, plastic cups, ping pong balls, etc.

The tank must have a lid, because bettas are great jumpers, and the lid must have holes to allow airflow in and out of the tank, since bettas breathe from the surface.

Here is a link to the UltimateBettas forum, which is a great forum for learning more about betta care. This thread has members posting photographs of their various betta set-ups. It'll give you a good idea of what they need and can also be quite inspiring for decorations.

http://www.ultimatebettas.com/index.php?showtopic=6858&hl=betta+tanks

(Do be aware that although several of the set-ups posted there are one gallon tanks, two gallons is much better and five gallons the optimum size. People usually keep bettas in one gallon tanks when they have tons and tons of bettas and can't afford the space, but water changes must be done once every 3-4 days.)

Edit:
Just to address the answer before me - which, if I may be so presumptuous to say, is incorrect: I'm afraid you are sorely mistaken about bettas. Bettas are very hardy and while they may be able to withstand the kind of conditions you are suggesting they need, they will certainly not be happy.

Bettas do not need a ton of water; they need 2 gallons, and half a gallon is much too little. You would have to be doing water changes every other day which would stress your fish out terribly.

Bettas do give out waste like all other fish and so I have to ask you, why wouldn't they need water as clean as any other fish that you would place in a filtered tank? It's not like they poop any less. Just because they can deal with swimming in their own toilet water better than some other fish doesn't mean they're very happy about it.

A heater is absolutely essential for a betta tank, even more so than a filter. Bettas are from Thailand, where the waters are fairly warm, and need temperatures in the high 70s to thrive. Anything below 76 degrees F will lead to a host of diseases which can be difficult to cure.

Raw pea is not good for your betta - you need to cook it in dechlorinated water and remove its shell before your betta can even digest it. Furthermore, feeding any more than half a pea to your betta at a time can lead to constipation and terrible digestive problems - their stomachs are the size of their eyes.

You were right about not housing males together, though! Looks like you really are experienced.

Answer 6

This would depend on what type of Betta you are planning to have. If your getting Veiltails then a 1 gallon tank will sufice, but if you are getting fancy Bettas like Plakats, Crowntail or Halfmoons, which requires more stable water condition (specially pH), then you might want to consider bigger tanks at least 5 gallon tank for each. I suggest that you keep away from bowls, they tend to distort your view of your pet.

Bettas do not require filtration as long as you can keep the water clean with regular water changes. You may put in a small filter but keep the flow on low, but you still would need to change some of the water at least weekly.

As for heaters this will depend on where you live, if it gets cold then you will need to invest on an aquarium heater, Bettas do best with water temp of 78-80F.

Answer 7

a proper set up:
tank size of at least 2.5 gallons
heater (set somewhere between 780176F and 82°F)
a small filter
any gravel and decorations you would like as long as they arne't sharp or rough

I'll see if I can find any pics. I only have some of my female betta tank which is a 15gallon tank with 7 female bettas

*edit*
excuse me I've been there, but I AM a betta breeder, thank you very much. I have 14 bettas of my own and working in a pet store doesn't mean crap! pet stores hire anyone, not animal experts. NEVER say anyone's answer is incorrect, it is RUDE.

if you knew anything about bettas you'd know they originate from thailand rice paddies, slow moving streams, and ponds. the water temp there averages 80°F. you'd also know bettas poop just like any other fish and therefore should have a filter just like any other fish. she said APPROPRIATE tank. bettas can survive with no heat and not filtration but they will NOT THRIVE. go do some research and get of your high horse. workign at a pet store doens't make you king.

Answer 8

Betta's don't need much space if kept alone, but if you plan to keep it with other fish you'd need lot's of space as some can be very aggressive.

Small filtered tanks are best,

and they love live blood worms, just keep the blood worms in a small container and change about 75%worms water every couple of days as they are quite messy and will stink up the water and feed your betta 2-3 a day.

if you can't keep the live blood worms they should settle for freeze dried ones.

They also like quite warm and soft water. So keep them in a nice warm room.

yeah what ninga said my betta just dissapead one day then 3 months later we found him in a pot plant that had been under the tank!

he was fine and lived for another year in my tank!
true story!

Answer 9

small tanks dont need filters betta prefer water that is still.
Just get him a heater and keep his water between 24-26 Degrees and he will be happy and live plants also.

Answer 10

bettas do not need any filteration, you can get a normal clear bowl or a small fish tank i have one betta and its almost a year old now =)