Bettas: Small Containers or Big Tanks?

Question

I recently got a 5 gallon tank for my betta. The smallest he was ever in was a 2 gallon. I've noticed that in the 5 gallon he just stays at the top all the time. He doesn't really "use" the rest of the water. So I was thinking, is it really that terrible to have your betta in a 1/2 gallon to 2 gallon tank?

Answer 1

Kilali, many people find their betta's don't work in larger tanks, and the reason is usually because they have not set up the tank properly.

Betta's require tight spaces, and the best way to do this isn't by stuffing them into a little bowl, but by creating a well planted environment in a larger tank. Make sure your 5 gallon has lots of plants (real or fake) - it both provides security and encourages activity by blocking lines of sight in the tank so the betta is more likely to roam about.

My betta is all over his heavily planted 15 gallon and spends much of his time active. While it isn't terrible to put a betta in a bowl, I certainly wouldn't do it after seeing how active they really can be.

FYI betta's come not just from rice paddies, but also from ponds and rivers.

Answer 2

Is your tank heated? Bettas are tropical fish an do best between 76-82 degrees F.

You will find that he is more active in warmer water. I've kept Bettas in 29 gallon tanks and they cruised the whole thing, top to bottom.

They especially liked the caves to hide in.

With a 5 gallon tank, you can get a couple of cory cats to clean up the food that your Betta missed.

It is easier to maintain good water in a larger tank, especially if it has a filter on it. Water changes of about 20-25% weekly is all that is needed to keep the pH and temperature consistent and biological filter healthy.

Here's what happens in smaller bowls- the ammonia builds up from the fish's waste and excess food. This lowers the pH. The temperature fluctuates. You change part or all of the water, and this raises the pH back up. In my opinion, subjecting the fish to constant pH and temperature changes is stressful and can shorten his lifespan.

It's true that Bettas can and do live in shallow puddles in asia, but that doesn't mean that they thrive.

The absolute smallest tank that I would consider humane for 1 Betta is 2.5 gallons. This is mainly due to the fact that is very difficult to find a tank heater that will be stable in a smaller amount of water.

I'm really glad that you got your guy a big tank.

Answer 3

In the wild sometimes Betta's will live in as little as two inches of water, in rice fields, and also in various other area's. Often when given a great deal of space Betta's will use only a small portion of it until they become more used to the space. This is a security issue as with a larger space there is a greater potential for predators to be lurking. After some time he will probably begin moving around more of the tank, but also remember that Betta's are typically top or high water fish, and even in large aquariums(55 gallon plus) they will generally stay in the top half of the aquarium, if not the top 1/3 or 1/4.

As far as tank size if going much bigger then a small bowl for them I would include lots of plants, and various hiding spots around the tank. This will give the Betta a feeling of security as he can rapidly duck into a cave, or plant when feeling insecure. Though it will not harm your Betta to be in a very small tank I would recommend one big enough to have a small heater, and some filtration as this will improve the Betta's quality of life and over all health, though it is not needed by him to survive and be healthy.

Answer 4

It's unfortunate that so many pet stores steer you wrong when it comes to keeping betta, isn't it? If you have a Walmart nearby check out their fish section. They have a 5 gallon kit for $30 and some of them have a bonus free heater inside, just check the box for a bonus heater sticker. If you are able to find that kit with a heater you'll have a really nice tank for your betta that costs less than most 2.5 gallons. All you need to do then is pick up some gravel, plants and/or decor, a thermometer and some water conditioner. I have 9 betta now and buying all of those tanks has forced me to become an expert at finding small tank bargains. :)

Answer 5

I personally think it is not okay UNLESS you know what you are doing. For example the person magicman who was the fish person who recently left for another site is a betta breeder and keeps some of his bettas in small bowls w/ out any filtration because some of his bettas could be damaged by a current like that. Though he knows how to care for them in these conditions, he keeps the room they are in a certain temperature to avoid having individual heater in the tanks and changes the water quite a few times a week. The bowls are probably a 1/2 gallon, but he knows how to propelry care for them in that small of a home. So if you are willing to change some of the water everyday, and heat your house to around 90F all year so the water doesn't get cold than it isn't that terrible, but considering that most bettas aren't real high quality fish, more just pet store mutts, don't you think they deserve some room to swim? Plus, does your new tank have filtration, a heater so the water is arounf 80F, and a hideout? I got a male betta from a friend who was in a 1/4 gallon cup and put him in a nice, roomy 5 gallon w/ a heater, undergravel filter, java moss, 3 silk plants, and a hideout and he perked up a lot!!! He swam around a ton and loved it!!!! Another example of this happening is when I had my 29 gallon emepty because my goldies were relocated to a pond and decided at Wal-mart to rescue a bunch of bettas who barely had a one inch of water!!! We ended up getting 12 drab, half dead females and 3 males and brought them home. I dumped out the girls and they swam around somewhat, mostly just lingered at the top though. The males were put in 5 gallons and did the same. I had to leave and when I came back 2 weeks later I was amazed! The females had perked up a lot and I realized what pretty colors the once drab, brown ones were. I had reds, blues, purples, greens, and a couple of multi color ones. They don't use all of the tank either, but I am assuming th must appreciate all the extra room. Also, this is to go w/ all the comments about bettas living in small puddles, CORRECTION they were SHALLOW NOT SMALL puddles. They were only like a few inches deep but HUNDREDS of gallons!!!

Answer 6

I would not put a betta in anything less than to 2 gallons myself,the smallest any of mine are in is 3 gallons which is a nice size for filtering and heating.

How long have you had the new tank,your betta may just be settling in and eventually he will start to explore.Also plenty of plants(silk or real,no plastic) will make your betta feel more secure in his new home and more inclined to move around.

Do you know about cycling you tank http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php , a build up of ammonia could also cause your betta to be less active and stay near the top.

Answer 7

Any tank (not bowl) 5-gallons or less will be fine. Bettas are top/mid-level swimmers. You may need to consider getting a small airstone to aerate the tank so that oxygen can be distributed throughout the tank as well.

Answer 8

As long as it has a filter, the size of the tank does not matter,in my opinion.I have had a few Beta over the years,always in a community tank,and some are swimmers and some are not.The only problem I see with keeping them in a bowl is that the ammonia can quickly build up,and cause problems.Not to mention the stress from being moved out of it for cleaning.

Also,since you have a 5 gallon you could add a couple of Cory cats,or 4 small tetra,like neons or glow lights.You have enough room.

Answer 9

No, Bettas will be happy in a 2 gallon tank. I've raised several bettas in 1 gallon vases for years and haven't had problems. They don't seem to really enjoy having an entire 5 gallon tank to themselves.

Answer 10

No, it's not terrible to put a betta in a small tank. All my bettas were kept in small tanks, and they had happy lives. With a small tank you just need to remember to do water changes more frequent than if you had a large tank.