Their tank is where your betta will spend most of their life, so make it nice for them! Here are some simple steps to creating a lovely home for them.
STEP ONE: TANK
- For one betta, at LEAST 19 litres or 5 gallons
- MUST have a filter and pump
- MUST have a heater
- MUST have a lid
- SHOULD have lights
Betta fish are NOT simple creatures that live in puddles and only breathe from the air! They’re actually quite sensitive – be a good betta parent and abide by the rules above!
TRIED AND TESTED TANKS:
STEP TWO: EQUIPMENT
What will I need to go in my tank? Decor and Food come later…
- Pump (Why?)
- Filter and Filter Media (Why?)
- Heater and Thermometer (Why?)
- Dechlorinator (Why?)
- Water Test Kit (Why?)
There are lots more things that might be worth getting ready in case you need them, but the list above are the bare essentials to keep your fish healthy.
EQUIPMENT:
STEP THREE: CYCLE
As soon as you’ve picked a tank – get cycling!
If you put your fish straight into the dechlorinated tap water, they will be very ill and maybe even die. Cycling your tank is essential for a betta fish and can take several weeks.
Cycling a tank is the process of allowing the ‘ammonia cycle’ to complete, which allows the bacteria that eat harmful substances in your tank water to get established and keep the water clean and healthy.
WATER PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS:
STEP FOUR: DECOR
This is the really fun part! Bettas are full of personality, but also a little shy, and they like to have things to hide in/behind, so you should make sure that there are lots of nice things in the tank to keep them occupied and for them to swim around.
I’d recommend live plants, because they’re actually easier to keep alive than you would imagine if you make sure you pick ones that are pretty tough. You can still stick with fake plants if you need though – just make sure that they are silk ones rather than plastic. That’s a key thing to consider for bettas – they have delicate fins that can get snagged and tear, so make sure that you choose smooth, softer things.
GET INSPIRED!:
STEP FIVE: FOOD
Whether you want to try live food, or you’d like to keep to something a little simpler and cleaner, there’s a wide range of foods available – but try and choose two or three different types of food. Nobody wants to eat the same thing every day, and it’s not very good for you either!
HAVE A BROWSE FOR SOME FOODS:
STEP SIX: FINALLY – A FISH!
The default might be the local pet store, but keep in mind that there are lots of independant sellers and breeders of betta too, especially if you feel as though the pet store doesn’t take care of their animals.
The really hard part is choosing which fish to get! Don’t forget to consider a female betta too – they’re just as energetic and personable, but usually slightly less aggressive.
TIPS AND ADVICE FOR BUYING A BETTA:
My Better Betta 