Q&A for How to Take Care of a Betta Fish

They really shouldn't do that, but they do because betta can survive by breathing the air above the water. They're relatively low maintenance, so pet stores tend to sell a lot of them.

Betta fish are one of the few species that can actually process oxygen from the air, so they may occasionally go up to the surface of the water to take in air. If you see your fish doing this regularly, it may be a sign that the water needs to be cycled.

Any fish is going to require a fair amount of work, so don't assume you won't have to do anything, but they are among some of the easier fish to care for.

It's always a good idea to change 25% of the water a minimum of every other week.

The best plants for betta fish are live plants or marimo moss balls. If you get plastic plants, you are at risk for tearing their fins. Live plants can be a bit harder to take care of, but marimo moss balls only need a bit of sunlight.

Bettas know the difference between night and day, and will be more lively when its light outside. They enjoy as much of a natural environment as possible, being able to be awake or asleep, at the normal times, so aim for as naturally lit an environment as possible. Don't keep them in direct sunlight though, as they cannot escape the heat if the water warms too much.

Yes. Bettas typically do not like flake food. Try frozen-thawed food or a high quality pellet. But in the pellets the first ingredient should be a good protein. For example, whole salmon. Not fish meal.

Bubbles on the top from a male betta mean he is ready for a female mate. The bubbles are a good sign and will not harm your fish.

For a filtered aquarium of 2.5 gallons or larger, 25% once a week should suffice. Remember to test for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate regularly, to determine your own personal water changing schedule.

If it is on its side and slightly curled, it may be sick and yes, it may be dying. However, that isn't a given either, as bettas can be quite the lazy too and rest a lot.

You can put your betta tank near the window, but algae will grow much faster and you would have to monitor the temperature more often. The light could raise the temperature in the tank which could be dangerous to the betta.

It can take around a week for the fish to get adjusted to its new surroundings. Make sure that you use filtered water and keep removing uneaten food until the fish decides to eat.

Use a long baster. Squeeze the bulb first before submerging it into the tank, then release the bulb slowly and it will suck up any debris at the bottom of the tank. Squirt the dirty water into a sink or toilet before using the baster to pick up more debris.

If your Betta kills anything, he dislikes fish friends and may never get along with any type of fish you may choose to put with him, so it depends on your Betta's personality.

It is best if they have low to no light. Light that is diffused would probably be fine. Normal light in your home is fine too. But these guys like it on the shady side best, especially stay away from LED lights as these are too bright for betta. If your tank was filled nicely with plants so they can have the shade they desire and a ledge (not real stone thought), they can hide from light.

Yes, you can get a pea and microwave it until it is softened. Take off the pea's skin and feed the pea's inside to the betta. This will provide fiber that will help his constipation (if that's the cause of bloating).

That could be a fungal or bacterial infection. You should research and treat it promptly.

Yes. I just bought my new betta fish yesterday and I bought a snail to come home too. The snail does no harm to the betta, nor does the betta to the snail.

It might try, since some aren't smart enough to realize it's a mirror, and it could get confused or even die of shock. To be on the safe side, don't add a mirror; it's only for your benefit, not the fish's.

They should be okay separated by the divider. You should include something like a cave. Bettas love to hide. It may be best to create an aquatic plant hideout, like aquatic plants planted closely together, or buy a decorative cover for them to hide in.

Check to make sure no algae is growing on the bottom or sides of the tank. Also, make sure you are changing the water at least every two weeks. Uneaten fish food in the tank may also be a cause.

You should get the necessary things first so that your fish can adjust to his/her new habitat quickly and is not disturbed yet again the day after arriving home by the addition of the "necessary things". Moreover, "necessary things" are needed for the survival of the fish, such as regulated water, food and shelter...

Gently rest your finger on the glass, and move it back and forth so your fish will follow you. If it seems scared, stop, and try again later.

Usually, male betta fish have longer fins, but certain male bettas are of plakat variety, meaning that they have shorter fins. The sex of the betta should be on the cup you got them in, as most pet stores label it, but female bettas almost always have shorter fins.

No, condensation the cover only is actually a good thing because it shows that the water is warm enough that it is evaporating. If there is never condensation on the cover, then your betta is probably too cold.

Yes, as a matter of fact, he is as healthy as can be. Male bettas make bubble nests when they are ready to breed, and if he swims more than usual, he is happy and healthy!

The answer is no. With one and only one exception, and that is for breeding them after they have both been conditioned, which is a two to three week process in itself. They will go after each other, rip fins, and most likely one will die.

If you have a male betta, he could be building a bubble nest! He isn't confused. He's happy in his home!

It depends on the conditioner. Usually it's about 15 to 20 minutes, but it should say on the side of the bottle.

If you mean at all, no. They can gulp some air that we breathe.