Beta fish care?

Question

For christimas I'm getting a Beta female, (hopefully purple) and I'd like to know if just a plain glass fish bowl would work? my friends tell me that you have to clean it a lot more if it's not filtered. Is this true?

Answer 1

Yes, if it isn't filtered the tank will require more regular cleanings. I suggest you purchase a one gallon tank, they are not that expensive, just purchase the tank, not a set, as for the filter, look for a low current one.

Answer 2

yes, a plain fishbowl is ok but it won't be the happiest place for your betta to live. if you get a betta, you have to do a complete water change every week. this means you have to put the betta in a seperate container, dump out the bowl, rinse it and scrub it with only water, replace the water, treat it (this just means dump the right amount of chemicals in), wait for at least 15 minutes or so for the chemicals to fully get into the water, and then replace the betta. it's a lot of work, so I put my betta in with all of my other tropical fish and he is much happier. so if you can I would get a 10 gallon tank (the kit is maybe 50 bucks at walmart) which may or may not come with the other stuff you need including: a filter, a hood light, a heater, and decorations. you also might want to get some fishy friends for your betta (no bettas do not kill every fish they see), ones that are good with mine are black neon tetras, neon tetras (these are really cheap), glowlight tetras, and others. it takes a little longer to set up than a fish bowl but in my opinion it's much more worth it. I have a 20 gallon now and after college I plan on getting a 55 gallon. So although a bowl is a fun, cheap way to keep your betta, a full tank will be much more fun for him and you if you choose to go that way.

P.S. if you get a tank, you should get as big as you can afford. some of my fish grow faster than you would believe!

Answer 3

Yes. The smaller the habitat the more often the water needs to be changed, especially without a filter. If you keep your fish in a small bowl expect to do a partial water change 1x per week to prevent build up of nitrogen. Lots of pet stores have small aquarium set-ups you can get, some as small as 2 gallons that come with a heater and filter. Beta's are happiest at about 76 degrees F, so a little heater isn't a bad idea. These little set ups are usually about $30-$40. Christmas is a ways away, I would save up the money and give your beta a nice little habitat to live in.
This Wikipedia Link is Quite thorough and helpful
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siamese_Fighting_Fish

Answer 4

1) There are some tricks you can, like swimming through hoops, jumping of food, flaring on command, or simply swimming over if you tap the glass. 2) 5 gallons, heater, filter with silk plants and other smooth decorations. Bettas are tropical, 2 gallons does not hold heat very well and they are very unstable when it comes to their water chemistry, they also need stimulation, an empty tank will actually bore them and make them sluggish. 3) keep up with the water changes 25% twice a week for the first 6 weeks (while the bacterial colonies establish) and 20% a week from them, make sure to treat the water with the conditioner and let it sit out for at least a few hours 4) 2-3 pellets 6 times a week, add a bloodworm or a brine shrimp every 4-5 days 5) As long as possible, when you do a water change, refill the bucket, add the conditioning liquid and let it sit out until the next change

Answer 5

not really -- you still have to clean a filtered tank too. the amount of water does make a difference though. if you are in a 2 1/2 gallon bowl then you can clean the water once a week. if you are in a tiny betta bowl you have to clean every other day.

there are lots of things you have to consider. i keep most of mine in unfiltered tanks 2 1/2 gallons and change the water weekly. i have one in a 5 gallon tank with a filter and change about 1/3 of the water weekly. its still about the same amount of time.

i live in warm sunny florida and my house is never below 70 degrees inside. bettas don't like cold temperatures and its hard to heat a bowl. i would definitely get a heated tank if you live someplace cooler.

Answer 6

well, if you 're planning on getting her into a bowl, expect that you will need to do 50% partial waterchanges every 2-3 days, whereas in a filtered and heated tank you only need to do 25% weekly with a gravel siphon

I got a 5 gallon tank for $30 plus a heater for another $10, which was well worth it and my betta is happy and active
http://www.fishlesscycling.com/articles/caring_for_bettas.html



Hope that helps
Good luck


EB

Answer 7

Get A 1 gallon tank with a lid because bettas jump. I have mine in one and he's very happy, not much to clean as long as you don't feed her too much where she doesn't eat it all. get a turkey baster to suck out all of the uneaten food instead of changing the whole thing everyday, change it once a week, or whn the water looks dirty.

Answer 8

Yes, a small bowl works just fine for a betta! You will only have to partially clean it about once a week. And the water will not look murky at all.

I have mine in a 1 gallon bowl now and its been working great.

Answer 9

well it matters of couse how much you feed you beta or if she will eat it because other than that you would only have to clean the bowl about every two months or monthly

Answer 10

i had a beta fish and you dont have to clean it that much. i used a glass bowl and i was fine. dont over feed them!!!!!!!