“There are a variety of other species of tank mates that can be safely added to a betta’s tank, such as snails, ghost shrimp, certain species of fish, and African dwarf frogs,” Dr.
They are unlikely to get lonely in their tank however, if they are in a small tank, they may get bored. Do They Get Lonely?īetta fish are naturally territorial and should not be housed with any other betta fish because they will fight and injure each other, often resulting in death. “Betta fish can be given treats, too! They should be high-protein items such as bloodworms or brine shrimp fed live or freeze dried, and like all treats they should be given in moderation,” Dr. Left-over food will sink to the bottom of the tank and lead to poor water quality. Keller suggests that every day a betta fish should be given the amount of food it can eat within 3 to 5 minutes, without any food left over. Just like cats and dogs, betta fish can be overfed, leading to obesity and other health issues.ĭr. They should be fed a balanced pelleted or flaked food daily. “This is not true!” Plants can provide enrichment for the fish to hide and explore, but plants are not a food source.īetta fish are carnivores that eat insects and insect larvae. “Many resources may falsely claim that bettas can live off nibbling the roots of several plants,” Dr. However, distilled water should not be used as it lacks vital minerals that are important for fish health.
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An alternative to tap water is bottled water, which is free of these harmful chemicals. “If tap water is used in the tank, it is recommended to use a dechlorinating product and test for heavy metals,” Dr. These chemicals can cause immunosuppression or make the fish very sick. Tap water contains harmful chemicals, such as chlorine and chloramine and sometimes heavy metals. The type of water used in the tank matters too. Because most homes are kept at a lower temperature, an in-tank water heater will be needed to maintain the temperature. Owners should measure the tank temperature with a thermometer. Their tank needs to be kept within a distinct range of 76☏ to 81☏. “Most people don’t realize that betta are tropical fish,” Dr. A low-flow filter is vital to ensure that the fish’s delicate fins are not injured by the suction of a filter. Toxins can build up over time from urine, feces, and break down of uneaten food in the water.Ī filtration system that is low flow is preferred in their tank to keep the environment clean of toxins. Water quality is vital to the health of a fish. Avoid these to keep the betta’s fins beautiful. Many decorations also have sharp edges that can easily tear the delicate fins. Betta fish love to swim around and explore their entire tank. “Decorations for a tank should never take up too much of the tank, pushing the fish to the periphery,” Dr. However, it is important to keep the betta fish in mind when choosing decorations. It can be fun to decorate a fish tank-there are so many different shapes, sizes, and colors of decorations found in pet stores and online. Instead, they should ideally be in a 5-gallon glass or plastic tank or larger.” Having an environment of this size allows the betta fish to exhibit normal activity and have less buildup of toxins in their environment. “Betta fish are often seen living in bowls that are too small to allow for normal swimming and hiding behavior,” Dr. The first thing to consider for a betta fish is its environment. Krista Keller, a veterinarian at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana who is a board-certified specialist in zoological medicine, offers insights for owners of these pet fish. These little beauties require specific care to ensure that they stay happy and healthy. Known for their bright, beautiful coloration and elaborate fin displays, betta fish, more accurately called “Siamese fighting fish,” are a common household pet. Krista Keller has advice on the care and keeping of betta fish.
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