I received a betta as a gift. It is in a container that is about 1 gallon. Is that large enough for one betta?

Question

I read they don't need oxygen to survive. It has stones & a nice plant. It also has some stone like thing that it can swim thru.

How often do I clean the container? I always feel sorry for those poor things that you see in the stores that are in those tiny square things. This little guy seems happy. BUT I read about them kept in larger aquariums with the filter system & all. I don't want to get into all that. But I want the little guy to be happy & healthy too......ANY SUGGESTIONS?
I also read that it is not good for them to be in the vases with the Peace Lily plant in it.

Answer 1

First of all, bettas do need oxygen to survive, but they don't need it pumped into the water to dissolve. They breathe air from the surface, which is why their containers should never be airtight (although they should have lids, as bettas are terrific jumpers.)

For a one gallon tank, you must clean it at least every 3 or 4 days. One gallon of water accumulates waste very quickly, so you have to be diligent about this. He will be happy in 1 gallon of water as long as you change the water frequently enough.

It's understandable if you don't want a huge tank with filtration. It's difficult to explain this without getting into details about the whole nitrogen cycle, but basically, filters should only go in tanks that have been cycled. Trying to cycle a 1 gallon tank will only throw things off balance because of the small amount of water, so I would actually advise against filtering such a small tank. However, discipline when it comes to water changes is a must.

Another important thing is heating. Bettas come from tropical climates and require a STEADY temperature in the high 70s (Fahrenheit). The only way to ensure this is via a heater. You can get junior heaters for 1 gallon tanks.

So technically, bettas do not NEED those large aquariums with elaborate filtration systems. He will be happy in 1 gallon unfiltered as long as you keep his water clean and heated. However, he will be happier in a larger tank, maybe 2.5 gallons, and it'll also be less work for you (less water changes), so maybe you can consider that.

And you're right about the betta-in-a-vase setup: it is a torture device for them.

Answer 2

It will be okay, though for a beginner, a larger tank with a filter would be best. If you have a filtered 2 gallon tank with a heater (costs about $20), it will live a longer life than if you left it in a 1 gallon and cleaned it weekly. In the 1 gallon, you would have to clean the water every third day to keep it safe for the fish. By the way, Bettas are insectivores (they eat insects), they DO NOT eat plants. So you are correct that the Lilly is not feeding them. Bettas (unlike most fish) have gills and lungs, and their lungs are more developed, so they primarily breathe air (as opposed to extracting oxygen from the water). For more Betta help, check out the link in my profile or email me.

Average Betta lifespan= 5 years

Nosoop4u

By the way, the bubbles at the surface of the water are part of the male's bubble nest. There is no relation between a bubble nest and dissolved oxygen. Bettas don't really use their gills, so they wouldn't really care about the level of oxygen in the water. Also, Bettas live in large rice patties that are acres and acres of water. Many Bettas will inhabit the same patty. With that much space though, there are no territorial disputes as there would be in a tank.

Answer 3

They do need oxygen to survive, but they can breath from the surface. No, a 1 gallon isn't a very good life for a betta, but they can survive. In the wild they swim in larger ponds, but for part of the year when it dries up they jump around in smaller puddles. They are never trapped in one tiny puddle as people suggest, and my bettas always live longer and fare better in larger tanks. And NO< they do not do well in vases iwth peace lily, the water will get polluted and they will die fast. They do need filtered water, or by the second day their water will get stagnant and disgusting and it does eventually make them sick. In that tiny of a tank all you can do is empty the whole thing out and rinse it out, but dont rinse out too much of the good bacteria. It is better to have a larger tank that you can cycle, but this one is just too small to be able to do that. Good luck, he sounds like a sweety!
PS< bettas must eat protein, not plants.
PS, dont get it a mate unless you want a blood bath. As someone else suggested, an airstone could also help the water move and keep it a little cleaner, but you still need to clean it more often since nothing is pulling the fallen food out of the water. Be careful in feeding that he eats most everything, and then clean out any poo that you have no filter to clean up for you. take care!
I have to say I am shocked at all the cruel and selfish answers on here from people who keep bettas as decorations. Think about the fish, and don't be so cheap you crazies!

Answer 4

First and foremost, they DO need oxygen to survive (as do all living things). However, Bettas are anabantids, meaning they have a labyrinth organ which allows them to draw oxygen in from the surface, instead of just through their gills in the water.

It seems like you don't want to get into the whole aquarium thing and buy a ton of equipment for a single Betta. Understandable. Large aquariums are not for everyone if you do not have the time and money to care for them. Bottom line, if you want to the "little guy" to be happy and healthy, read-on.

At bare minimum I would purchase a 2.5 gallon tank. There are numerous 2.5 gallon tanks available- and you can find them pretty cheap on the internet. Also, get a small filter (in-tank, sponge or small HOB filter) w/ air pump, live or fake plants (one or two), substrate (aquarium gravel), a small heater. All of this can be purchased under $40.00 and you will have a healthier Betta than if you kept him in a 1 gallon jar and did weekly water changes. Very important! Make sure you read-up on tank cycling (amonia and nitrate levels) before you add him to the tank. Do not expect to buy all of this equipment, throw it all together, and add the Betta on the same-day. If you kill him, all of this would be for nothing!

For food, I would get some Betta pellets and some freeze-dried blood worms or brine shrimp. Mix up his diet and give him some variety. If you want to go the extra mile- you can get a cheap shirmpery and occasionally treat him to live baby brine shrimp.

Good luck! Bettas are awesome! Do your research!

Answer 5

Please do some research on this type of fish before you start believing any of these incorrect answers. Betta's do live in rice patties but those things are huge! Shallow but long and wide. They are also tropical fish and need to be in a heated tank. The temp should stay between 76-82 F. In a gallon you will need to change the bowl at least every other day. The best home for a Betta is at least a 2.5 gallon tank with a filter and heater.
You are correct about the vases with the peace lily in it. Betta's don't eat plants unless they are starving. Really no fish should have to live in a small bowl. I have kept Betta's for many years and in many different ways. I find that they do best in a larger tank. And the current from a filter won't harm them. I have a male in my 36 gallon community tank and he does fine. Your fish will survive in the gallon but it won't thrive. If you want to see it's true colors and beauty, get him a larger tank. If you have any questions feel free to contact me from my avatar.

Answer 6

As I have already written once, bettas are very intelligent and curious fishes who like to swim around a big tank and to discover it. My main tank is 350 liters (92 gallons) big and still I think my betta would find an even bigger tank more interesting.

Also, bettas living in bigger tanks are much less aggressive. In a big and well-planted tank even two male bettas would get along with each other.

Answer 7

OMG, people still haven't learned anything yet
You have only 3 good answers on here
Since you seem to care, please get your betta at LEAST a 2.5 gallon tank with heater and filter

I personally have transfered my brothers betta from a bowl into a 5 gallon tank with filter, heater and plant, and he loves it

You don't believe the differnce until you have seen it, he's much more active because he has lots of swimroom now

Here is also a link for you to read through
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Anuc3S1JVLGgIiVNuwJm6JHsy6IX?qid=20070808020800AAXwacZ


Hope that helps
Good luck


EB

If you would like to have live help, follow the link in my profile

Answer 8

Betta's do not "NEED" gallons and gallons of water like some overly fanatics claim. I have kept bettas for years on end that lived in 2.5 or less gallons of water without a filter. I've had some live in a 5 to 10 gallon tank with a filter, I noticed no difference in health or life span. My record was 4 years, a male crown tail. If you have a 1 gallon it is fine, as long as you do your weekly water changes. Betta's do not need air bubbles, actually it is better for them if the water is still. These fish have what is called a labyrinth organ which allows them to breath air from the surface! If they have no access to the surface, to get enough air, they won't survive. That is why the peace lily idea won't work. It blocks the surface to much.

So do your weekly water changes, be careful not to use tap water! If you do, remove the chlorine and chloramine from it with a product. Water temperatures can't shift to much, or your fish might end up belly up.

Answer 9

You can put an oxygen stone in there,the fish would live longer. Also most fish will grow larger if you put them in a larger tank but one gallon is okay and I would get it a mate. You need to change the water and clean the stones once a month. If you really want to keep your tank clean you need to get you an algae eating catfish. Raising fish is a fun hobby. I raised my baby Piranha from a half inch to 9 inches. It was bigger then any of them in the Cincinnati Zoo. Hope I was some help.

Answer 10

I had a betta that lived for like two years he had a one gallon tank with a air filter in it. Although I later read that they like still water. I don't know but he was happy and kicking for two years. I didn't clean his tank as often as I should have. Maybe he would have lived a little longer for me if I did. He was a good fishy. Scales may you rest in peace!