The Betta Fish (Betta Splendens), also known as the “Siamese Fighting Fish”, is an incredibly popular freshwater fish whose large, flowing, brightly colored tails bring elegance to the most diverse tanks in the world. Are you looking for a care guide for your betta fish? Then you’ve come to the right place!
Their wild and attractive colors has made them one of the most popular fish in the hobby and there is a lot of misinformation available on the internet about these animals. It’s easy to get scammed if you’re a beginner.
Bettas originate from Thailand, where they inhabit ponds and rice paddies with very little water flow, often with low oxygen levels. Because of this, bettas have developed an organ called “Labyrinth”, which allows them to live in these conditions, as it’s able to breathe the air on the surface. Betta populations have been introduced to several countries including Brazil, the Dominican Republic and even Australia. The natural habitat of these fish is another common cause of debate that leads to the size of the tank they need to live in.
Many people believe that bettas are capable of living in small bowls, as in nature they inhabit small puddles. This isn’t entirely true! While some more unfortunate bettas can be found in these situations during the dry season, the monsoon season expands these waterways and allows them access to many other locations.
Through this care guide, i’ll provide you everything about these amazing fish. You will understand the tank size they need to live, the filtration system, temperature, diet, behavior, reproduction, as well as even a way to accurately replicate their natural habitat.
Betta Fish: Complete Care Guide
Technical Details
Name: Betta Fish, Siamese Fighting Fish, Betta, Split-Tailed Betta, Libby Betta
Scientific Name: Betta Splendens (Regan, 1910);
Family: Osphronemidae;
Species Origin: Asia (Mekong River Basin, Thailand);
Length: Up to 2,36 inches;
Life Span: Between 2 and 3 years;
Care Level: Easy;
Water Parameters
pH: 6.0 – 8.0;
Water Hardness: Between 5 – 19;
Temperature: Must be kept between 24 – 30°C;
Foods and Feeding
Bettas are carnivores by nature and require high quality pellet or flake feed as well as frozen and live food. The healthiest diet for these fish would be closest to that found in nature. So, the key to success in raising these fish is to provide them with protein-rich foods and vary their diet a lot.
You can use, for example, flake or pellet feed created exclusively for these fish. Believe me, there are a plethora of them!
In addition, you can also give some live foods only as additional treats during the week. Regarding live foods, you can provide, for example:
- Brine Shrimps (frozen or live);
- Krill;
- Bloodworms;
- Daphnia;
- Beetle larvae;
While feeding your betta fish live food may sound exciting, you should be a little careful. People usually remain using only the feed, as the risk of these live foods being contaminated by some type of parasite or bacteria is much greater.
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How much food should I give my Betta fish?
Overfeeding is a big problem for Betta fish, as their stomach is no bigger than one of their eyeballs. A single meal a day is more than enough to keep you healthy.
You can, for example, give them 2 or 3 small pellets of food to keep them satisfied. If you feel like they need to be fed twice a day, that’s fine too. Just beware of overfeeding.
Any type of uneaten food from the tank must be removed immediately, as it can accumulate at the bottom and pollute the water, causing numerous problems for the fish.
Temperament / Behavior
Bettas are known to be very territorial fish. That alone makes you exclude a multitude of tank mates even more so if he is in a small space.
The species spends most of its time resting among the decorations and plants in the tank. They love to stay hidden and come up to the surface every now and then to get some air.
Are bettas good tank mates for other fish?
Do you think it’s just a coincidence that these fish are also called “Siamese Fighting Fish”? Sadly, it isn’t! Bettas were bred to be fighters, so some of that aggression has been retained, making them one of the most aggressive freshwater fish out there.
Can I keep more than one betta fish together in the tank?
We don’t recommend that you keep more than one male betta fish in the same tank. Fighting to the death isn’t uncommon for them, and the stress of being placed in an inappropriate environment is often enough for them to kill themselves.
However, all is not lost! There are certain types of fish that can coexist with male bettas in harmony, but there are some criteria you should keep an eye on.
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Tank Mates
What are the main criteria for a fish to be a good tank mate for Betta? Below, check out some of them:
- Fish cannot be brightly colored or look like betta. These types of fish can intimidate the betta, so it’s not a good idea to keep them together;
- They must not occupy the same space. Bettas are very solitary animals, so they like to have their own space. Make sure there is enough space in the tank for everyone.
- They shouldn’t nibble fins. There are some species that love to nibble the fins of other fish. So never mix them with the bettas as it’s a recipe for disaster.
As with all fish, personalities will differ, so getting to know your Betta before adding them to an tank with other species is a good idea. If he shows signs of aggression, it’s good to keep him away, but if he doesn’t show any kind of hostile behavior, feel free to experiment.
Can I keep female Betta Fish together in an fish tank?
You can keep several females together in the same tank. Females aren’t as solitary as males and like to live together. Therefore, we suggest that you keep between 3 and 5 females together if you have space in the tank.
What are the best tank mates for male Betta fish?
Here are some small tips that you should follow:
- Avoid adding more than one male betta to the same tank;
- Males and females must not be placed together;
Regarding tank mates, there are some good fish that will live with the male Betta without major problems. But always keep an eye out! Even if you still do everything right, the betta may behave differently and attack the other fish.
Below are the main tanks for betta fish:
- Corydoras;
- Harlequin Rasbora;
- Neon Tetra;
- Ember Tetra;
- Kuhli Loach;
See Also:
Sexual Differences
Distinguishing male from female Betta fish isn’t a very difficult task, but sometimes it can lead to some confusion. Taking into account the following characteristics should help you determine the sex of your fish. But, keep in mind that younger fish don’t have as many sex differences.
Colors
Males are often more colorful than females; however, color by itself isn’t a definer. Generally, males display more vibrant colors than females.
Body shape and fins
Females are shorter and broader than males. Furthermore, the fins of the males are much longer, sometimes up to three or four times the length of the females’ fins.
While some betta varieties have males with short caudal fins, in most varieties females have shorter caudal fins and males have longer ones. Other than that, the ventral fins of males are noticeably longer and thicker than those of females.
Reproduction
How to set up a reproduction tank for Betta fish?
The biggest mistake people make when breeding bettas is trying to breed them in their main tank.
It’s ideal to have a separate tank, as fry are very fragile and need excellent water conditions to survive. When they’re free swimming, for example, you’ll need to remove the male (which you can’t do if it’s the main tank) so he doesn’t see them as a threat.
Note: In the wild, male bettas will only care for the fry until they’re free swimming. After that, they will all go their own ways.
Below, we will list what you will need for your breeding betta tank:
- A fish tank with 5 gallons (20 liters). Create an environment with enough space for the bettas to hide if they need to, but not so much that they’re difficult to find. You must leave the tank without any type of substrate, as this makes it easier for the male to retrieve them;
- 25W Heater. Such equipment will allow the water to reach the required temperature;
- Hang-on or Sponge filter. Keeping the water clean and not creating strong currents is fundamental;
- Indian Almond leaves. Ideal for making the water soft and providing places for the male to create his bubble nest;
- Partition. It will allow you to introduce the male and female without risking their lives.
Add the female to the breeding tank
When adding the female to the breeding tank, use a small open clear pot (make sure the water line in the tank is below the top of the pot).
After adding her, let her get used to her surroundings for 30 minutes before moving on to the next step.
Introduce the male to the female betta
Add the male to the breeding tank and let him explore the environment observing female inside her little transparent pot.
Once the male becomes aware of the female’s presence, he will start to get darker colors and display his fins to try to attract her.
If he tries to bite the edges of the pot, for example, don’t worry, this is natural behavior. But if the female is receptive, she will turn her colors darker and display a pattern of vertical stripes along her body, indicating that she is ready to breed. Wait for the formation of the bubble nest made by the male.
About an hour after introducing the fish, you should notice that the male begins to build his bubble nest. So he will spend all his time going back and forth between building the nest and showing off to the female.
Now you’ll want to leave them alone overnight.
Breeding your bettas
It’s time for the big show! But, be warned, this is a pretty aggressive process!
Leave the female and male betta together
When releasing the female, it’s very likely that she will go straight to the bubble nest to check that it’s up to her standards. If not, she will swim away or sometimes try to destroy you.
Once the male realizes he can reach the female, his display will become much more elaborate. He will start chasing her around the tank, trying to engage her in the “mating dance”.
Cover the tank with plastic wrap
Covering the aquarium with plastic wrap helps keep the heat inside. You want the tank to be moist because it helps the eggs hatch and the fry develop.
Now things are going to get ugly.
In the next few hours (it could be between 2 and 6 hours) you will see a lot of chasing and biting. This is normal behavior, but you should keep an eye on what’s going on just in case of extreme aggression. That’s why it’s important to have a good amount of plants so the females have somewhere to hide.
Throughout this process, the female will continue to check the nest. Once she decides she’s ready, the mating dance will begin.
The two fish open their fins and swim side by side, stopping just inches apart to show off. Then, if the male doesn’t sense that she is in awe of her performance, he will nip and chase her before dancing again.
This ritual can go on for several hours.
How the female initiates spawning will depend on her personality. Some, for example, swim straight up to the male with their heads down and fins to show their submission; others, however, will attack the nest and have their fins ruffled, challenging the male.
The Betta fish mating dance
The mating begins when the male manages to turn the female upside down and wrap her around his waist – squeezing her tightly.
Once they are embraced, they will either float to the surface or sink. The male will release the female and allow her to recover (3 – 5 minutes) before doing the same process again.
After several “squeezes”, the female will begin to release her eggs.
Now, it’s important that you don’t panic. The female will go into a “zombie-like” state as the eggs fall to the bottom of the tank.
The male will collect the eggs and place them in the bubble nest one by one!
When the female recovers, she can help the male lay eggs in the nest. However, depending on the female, she may even eat the eggs. So watch carefully and remove it if necessary.
Note: We recommend that you remove the female from the tank as soon as she wakes up, as the male will now see her as a threat and may try to kill her.
Male Betta will take care of the bubble nest
During the next 24 -36 hours, the male will spend time tending to the eggs. He might even build a new nest somewhere else and move them all there.
But most of the time it will be hovering over the nest looking bored, checking to see if the eggs have started to hatch. Some first-time parents may eat the eggs or fry, which can be very frustrating.
However, he may just be eating those that haven’t been properly fertilized or something is wrong. Perhaps the male is just doing his job, so we’ll give him a little credit.
The fry birth
Finally, when the fry begin to hatch, your wriggling will release them from the bubbles and they will fall.
The fry will be swimming with their tails down for the first few days and will slowly begin to swim in a horizontal position.
When they’re free-swimming, remove the male and give them a first meal of brine shrimp, microworms, infusoria, and other food available to fry.
Fish tank care and setup basics
To care for a Betta fish, you will need to understand what its basic requirements are. The most important things to remember when caring for a betta are:
- Bettas are tropical fish. So that means they require water with temperatures ranging between 24 – 30°C (Celsius). The pH of the water must be neutral (about 7) and the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate must be at zero;
- The species is carnivorous and needs a protein-rich diet;
- The betta fish life spano can reach 10 years, but usually doesn’t exceed 3 years in a fish tank;
Now, the most important part of caring for a betta fish is setting up a suitable tank for him. Remember that this will be your pet’s home for several years. So, take care of the aquarium!
Betta fish aquarium setup
In the wild, betta fish are found in small streams and rice paddies in Thailand. These locations are generally large and, with the tropical climate, the waters are somewhat warm.
The fishkeeper goal is to try to simulate as much as possible the conditions seen in nature. Temperature, water parameters, filtration, lighting as well as the diet need to be consistent and natural for these fish.
The biggest problem I see with beginners trying to care for betta fish is keeping them in small enclosures. Don’t make that mistake!
What is the ideal fish tank size for a Betta?
Don’t be fooled into thinking you can keep the betta in a small bowls. The tank to create a single specimen of this fish must contain at least 5 gallons (20 liters). Remembering that this is just the minimum, if you have the possibility to buy something bigger, then go for it!
We all know that fishkeeping is not a cheap hobby, so it can hurt your pocket a little when you see the price of some larger tanks, but it’s a necessary thing if you want to succeed in building a suitable environment for your Betta fish.
What should the water temperature be for a Betta fish?
Coming from the Thailand tropical waters, it’s CRUCIAL that you don’t leave the Betta in a cold water environment. The temperature should vary between 24 and 30°C (Celsius).
Bettas are often withdrawn and lethargic when in cold environments, and are very sensitive to changes in water parameters.
It’s necessary to keep an eye on the water temperature using an heater. When looking for a tank for your aquarium, there are a few things you should consider:
- For an 5 gallons fish tank, you must purchase a heater that has a power of 25W (watts);
- Make sure the heater has an automatic cut-off mechanism if the water level drops too low. Remember that most of this equipment needs to be completely submerged. Check the instructions for use!
- Good heaters will automatically regulate the temperature by turning it on and off as needed. There are even some more modern equipment where you can control the temperature using a remote control. No more wet hands!
Should I use a lid on my Betta fish tank?
Bettas have an organ called the Labyrinth, which means they have the ability to breathe oxygen from the water surface. Therefore, you should leave some open spaces at the top so that it can remove air from time to time.
Bettas are also excellent jumpers! So add a lid to the tank, or at the very least, leave plenty of space between the water and the top to keep them from jumping out.
Filtering
Regarding filtration, you should add a filter that has a smooth water flow. Generally, internal filters are the best option, but a Hang-on can also be a good choice. Just regulate the flow rate to slow down the water flow or place some decorations or plants at your outlet to maintain a calm environment for your Betta.
In the wild, the Betta lives in shallow, slow-flowing rivers. They aren’t equipped to swim against strong currents, so you should always avoid powerful filters.
Lighting
Betta Fish require a lot of light during the day and complete darkness at night. Lighting can be natural or artificial, but natural lighting is a little more difficult to control and too much sunlight can accelerate algae growth.
Any type of common light fixture will be ideal to keep them happy. You can even purchase a power timer to keep track of when the lights turn on and off.
If you’re considering setting up a planted tank, you will need adequate lighting so that the plants can synthesize and produce oxygen. Live plants will also provide hiding places and shade for your Betta.
The internet is full of pictures of betta fish tanks. So just do a quick search and you’ll be spoiled for choice!
How often should I change the water in my betta fish tank?
Changing all the water in the tank can cause numerous problems for your betta fish! Never do that! You should change about 25% once a week, letting the filter do the rest of the work for you.
Note: Remember that fish get used to the water parameters they are in, so changing the water all at once can lead to thermal shock and sometimes death for the animal.
In addition, also make sure that all changed water is treated with a good conditioner to remove chlorine and other chemicals harmful to fish.
How to monitor water quality?
It’s crucial that you keep an eye on the water quality in your tank by using a test kit to monitor it. Your goal is to keep everything consistent, with zero ammonia and nitrite.
What are the most common Betta Fish diseases?
Diseases are also part of the underwater world, and unfortunately, they cannot be completely prevented. We are all going to have to deal with some of them from time to time.
Learning about the different types of common betta fish diseases will equip you with the necessary knowledge. With this, you will be able to quickly identify the problem and be able to treat it before things get worse. However, almost all diseases in an tank can be cured with simple adjustments and medication.
Here are some of the main diseases that can affect your Betta fish:
| Disease | Common Symptoms |
| Fin Rot | Bitten and damaged fins. Lethargy. |
| Ich | Small white dots appear on the body. The fish becomes agitated and starts rubbing against the tank decorations. |
| Columnaris Disease | Growth of small fungi that look like cotton wool on the body of the fish. |
| Dropsy | The scales become bristly and the fish bloated. Cloudy eyes and lack of energy. |
Fortunately, all of the illnesses listed above are treatable with the right medications. If you want to know each of these diseases and how to treat them, just click on their respective links in the table, or click here to go to our Diseases section.
Fortunately, all of the illnesses listed above are treatable with the right medications. If you want to know each of these diseases and how to treat them, just click on their respective links in the table, or click here to go to our Diseases section.
How do I know my Betta fish is healthy?
Some common signs that your betta fish is healthy include, for example:
- voracious appetite;
- Vibrant colors;
- Fast and energetic movements;
- Surface interactions;
- Healthy and fluid fins;
- Aggressive reactions to unfamiliar stimuli;
How do I know my Betta fish is sick?
Some common signs that your betta fish is sick are:
- Loss of appetite;
- Lethargy or lack of energy;
- Curved and withered fins and tails;
- Abnormal swimming;
- Irregular marks, growths or damage on the body;
- More opaque colors;
Above all, if you follow the information in this betta fish care guide, you can be sure that you will have no problem raising and keeping it healthy.
Conclusion
As you can see, create a betta fish in an tank is an easy task, but at the same time it requires a little attention.
If you’ve read and understood what the main requirements are for create these fish, it’s very likely that you won’t go wrong when you go to a pet shop and buy your little fish.
References
FishLore. Aquarium Fish Information Disponível em: https://www.fishlore.com/freshwaterfish.htm. Acesso em 29 de mar. De 2019;
Rainboth, W.J., 1996. Fishes of the Cambodian Mekong. FAO species identification field guide for fishery purposes. FAO, Rome, 265 p. (Ref. 12693);
