General Warning
Over the past years, betta fish have been bred to be vicious fighters. Because they are truly a solitary animal, there has only been a few instances where male bettas can live together in harmony. Most female bettas can live together in a community tank; however, the most aggressive ones should not be kept together. I have also heard cases of these fish becoming depressed and needing a tank mate. Aside from that, PLEASE keep your fish separated from each other with a divider, (it can be clear or opaque), or keep them in separate tanks.
Basic Supplies
Many pet stores will recommend what is at most, the minimum requirements for these fish. I have composed a list of what not to buy and what to buy and why.
DON'T BUY!!!
DON'T BUY!!!
- A Regular fish net
- Plastic Plants
- Filter
- Pellet Food
- A Brine Shrimp net- Brine shrimp nets have smaller, gentler netting that won't let the betta's finnage get caught up in it.
- Live Plants or Smooth Decor- Live plants are easier on the fins; they won't get tangled or ripped up if they swim through them. Again, smooth decor, nothing with ragged edges, but something that gives the betta a couple of hidey-holes to chill out in.
- Air stones- You honestly won't need a filter. These fish are small, and the only reason your tank will get dirty is if you don't clean it regularly. Betta fins will get caught in the strong suction of the filter, rendering them unable to move. You especially don't want a filter if you are planning on breeding, because the live fry will get sucked up by it. Air stones will allow for the aeration of the water, letting your fish get more oxygen. They can be adjusted using gang valves so that your fish won't be overwhelmed. It is also cheaper to get a few air stones, tubing, a pump, and a gang valve, than it is to get a filter.
- Flake Food, Live or Frozen Foods, or Homemade Foods- Most of the time, the normal betta food pellets are too big to fit in your betta's mouth. Save your fish the trouble of choking, and save yourself some money too. The only caution I give you with feeding them flake foods is overfeeding. A betta's stomach is only as big as its eye, and this is the most common reason for petstore betta deaths. But it also allows them to be fed two to three times a day, given you know the right increments so that you won't overfeed. You can raise live foods right in your backyard for little to no cost at all. Live foods include mosquitoe larvae, brine shrimp, and daphnia. Freeze-dried foods like sun-dried krill, bloodworms, or baby brine shrimp are good for snacks. DO NOT overfeed them baby brine shrimp/adult brine shrimp, as overfeeding them this will cause swim-bladder disorder. As for homemade foods... every betta is different. Enjoy figuring out his/her personality and favorite foods. Just remember, bettas aren't carnivores. They're omnivores. Who says they can't enjoy their veggies?
API Products
- Stress Coat- Removes chlorine and ammonia, helps repair damaged fins and skin, and replaces their slime coating. I've never used anything else to help with removing the chlorine and repairing their injuries.
- Stress Zyme- A biological filtration booster. It contains live bacteria to speed the development of the biological filter and helps keep aquariums clean.
- Melafix- Antibacterial fish remedy. It's all natural with the botanical extract of the Tea Tree. It helps rapidly repair damaged fins, ulcers, and open wounds, and it promotes the regrowth of damaged tissue and fins. I once had a betta who got all her fins torn off before I removed the other aggressive female. After a few weeks of using it, she was back to normal and in perfect condition.
Note of Caution
Bettas are labyrinth fish. Please DO NOT put them in a vase which has a corked plant. Bettas breathe oxygen, and they need it to live. Using a corked plant will cut off that supply of oxygen. If you do choose to use a vase and plant, keep the plant in something plastic that has holes in it to allow the oxygen to circulate.
Please DO NOT put two males in the same tank. It is cruel and inhumane to fight bettas. Just because they are small, cheap, and easy to get rid of, doesn't make it any better than dog fighting.
Unless you are breeding them, DO NOT put a male and a female in the same tank without a divider. I have had a case of a male betta getting out of his side and going over to the females side. They completely mutilated his fins and body, and he died as a result. Males will do the same thing to the females.
And lastly, please be responsible and take good care of your betta. Thank you.
Please DO NOT put two males in the same tank. It is cruel and inhumane to fight bettas. Just because they are small, cheap, and easy to get rid of, doesn't make it any better than dog fighting.
Unless you are breeding them, DO NOT put a male and a female in the same tank without a divider. I have had a case of a male betta getting out of his side and going over to the females side. They completely mutilated his fins and body, and he died as a result. Males will do the same thing to the females.
And lastly, please be responsible and take good care of your betta. Thank you.