Betta Care

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Care Of Your Betta Splenden

Scientific Name: Splendens

Sometimes Known As: Siamese Fighting Fish

Commonly Called: Bettas

Diet in Captivity: Brine Shrimp, Bloodworms, Pellets and Flakes Available from Pet Stores

Experience Level: Any

Hardiness: Extremly Hardy

Water: Freshwater

 

 

 

Feeding Your Betta

Bettas love live food such as brine shrimp and bloodworms, however, they love pellets and flakes you can buy at pet stores just as much.  Sprinkle just a pinch of flakes into the water, but no more than your fish can eat, or it will make the water murky.  If you use pellet, drop three to four into the bowl and make sure that they are eaten.  Then put another one or two in.  Never put in more food than your fish can eat.  Here is a link where you can buy betta food.

http://www.petsmart.com/global/search_results.jsp 

Temperature

You may consider a small heater.  If you breed bettas, you must have one, but if your betta is just a pet than it is only a bonus.  The temperature in the fish bowl should be from 68 to 80 degrees F. 

Cleaning The Bowl

Bettas, unlike most fish, don't require much room.  A half gallon is livable, though at least 1.5 gallons is ideal.  To clean the bowl or tank, I usually use a turkey baster.  Suction one third of the water out at a time and pour good water that is the same temperature back in.  Make sure the water you put in is dechlorinated if necessary.  If you use tap water, make sure it is conditioned. You can find water conditioner at any pet store.

Diseases

There are parasites and fungi that can find themselves on your bettas.  I can identify several symptoms if you e-mail me.  If you go to a special fish store, or I suppose Petco or Petsmart will have them as well, there medications that treat this.  You must treat it as soon as you recognize it.  Here are a few.

Ich: Your fish is covered in little white crystal looking specs.  

Anchor Worms: Your fish has very visible little string-like things clinging to it.

Fin Rot: This is when your fish's fins start to look jagged and may start going white at the tips.

 

 

Plants and Rocks

Plastic plants and rocks aren't vital to your fish, yet they really enjoy them.  It's like a child getting a toy.  It also makes them feel more at home since they come from where there are naturally rocks and plants.  If you plan on getting a real aquatic plant rather than a plastic one, make sure it comes from somebody who has used it with bettas and know it won't harm them.

Compatibility

Bettas aren't known as Siamese Fighting Fish for no reason.  Males will kill eachother if put together.  Do not take the chance.  However, you can put snails, and other fish in with bettas if you have a big enough tank, meaning a 10 gallon tank or bigger.  If you just have a fish bowl, you will only want to keep a betta in there with maybe a snail, but that's all.