Do's and Don'ts about Bettas

Betta fish, in the wild, live in the shallow, stagnant water of rice paddies. This is true, but it is no reason or excuse to neglect your betta fish. Bettas are very easy to care for, but they still have likes, dislikes and needs. Here is a simple and easy list of do's and don'ts for bettas.

The Do's of Betta Care:

• DO feed them once a day, as much as they can consume in two minutes. Some references recommend feeding bettas as much as they can eat in five minutes, but do not try this. Bettas can eat a lot in five minutes; much more than what's good for them. Overfeeding is fatal!
• DO clean the betta's tank every few days. Once a week is good, but it really depends on how dirty the water looks. For small tanks (less than 1 gallon), clean them every few days. Use Betta Water (which you can find at a local petstore) for best results. For tap water, condition with Novaqua, Aqueon, or aquarium salt (NOT table salt).
• DO a daily health check of your betta to make sure all is well.
• DO keep a lid over the betta's tank, as bettas are known to jump out of their tanks to their deaths.
• DO place a mirror up to the glass of the aquarium to allow your betta to get excited over "another" betta. They will flare up using their gill covers to make themselves appear to be bigger. However, do not keep the mirror there often or for long periods, as this tires your betta.
• DO provide your betta with enough space not merely to survive, but to be happy and healthy. I don't recommend tanks any smaller than 2 gallons. I tried it, but my betta wasn't happy and as soon as I moved him to a larger space he was much happier (and healthier!).

The Don'ts of Betta Care:

• DON'T use soap when cleaning your betta fish tank! Soap will make your betta die.
• DON'T rely on a plant root to keep your betta fish fed. Betta fish are carnivorous fish and have been known only to eat plants when starving.
• DON'T put bettas in direct sunlight or in a place colder than 62 degrees. Bettas need a water temperature between 62 degrees and 82 degrees.
• DON'T stick to just one kind of betta food. I have never done any kind of worms and my betta has done fine thriving on a variety of pellets.
• DON'T put male bettas with any other kinds of fish, especially not other male bettas. Other fish are known to pick on bettas, and male betta fish will fight until one is the winner.

Your betta fish will live a long and happy life if you follow these simple instructions!