How To Keep Betta Fish
How to Keep Betta Fish: A Care Guide for Beautiful and Healthy Bettas
Betta fish (Betta splendens), also known as Siamese fighting fish, are among the most popular freshwater aquarium species. With their vibrant colors, flowing fins, and bold personalities, they make a stunning and rewarding centerpiece for any home aquarium. But despite their reputation as beginner-friendly fish, bettas need more than just a bowl to truly thrive.
Proper betta care involves creating a stable environment, offering good nutrition, and understanding their unique behaviors. With the right setup, a betta can live a long, healthy, and active life.
Ideal Tank Setup for Betta Fish
Bettas may be hardy, but they are tropical fish that need space and clean water to flourish. A tank of at least 5 gallons is recommended for a single betta, with a heater and gentle filtration to maintain water quality and temperature.
Avoid strong currents—bettas have long, delicate fins and prefer calm water. Sponge filters or low-flow internal filters are ideal. Add a tight-fitting lid or hood, as bettas can jump when startled or exploring.
Decorate the tank with live or silk plants, smooth rocks, and hiding spots. Bettas love resting on leaves near the surface, and enrichment helps reduce stress and boredom.
Water Parameters and Temperature
Bettas are sensitive to poor water quality, so a stable, cycled aquarium is essential. Perform weekly water changes (about 25–30%) and test the water regularly using an aquarium test kit.
Optimal water parameters:
Temperature: 76–82°F (24–28°C)
pH: 6.5–7.5
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: Under 20 ppm
A heater is almost always necessary unless your room temperature stays in the mid to high 70s year-round.
Feeding Your Betta
Bettas are carnivorous and thrive on a protein-rich diet. Feed a variety of high-quality betta pellets, frozen foods (like bloodworms and brine shrimp), and occasional live treats if available.
Feed once or twice daily in small portions—only what your betta can eat in 1–2 minutes. Overfeeding leads to bloating, constipation, and poor water conditions. Fast your betta one day per week to support digestive health.
Avoid flake foods designed for community tanks, as they often lack the nutrition needed for bettas.
Betta Behavior and Tank Mates
Bettas are intelligent and curious but also territorial. Male bettas should never be housed together and often fight when paired with other long-finned or brightly colored fish.
Good tank mates for a single male betta (in 10+ gallon tanks) include peaceful bottom dwellers like Corydoras catfish, small snails, or shrimp. Female bettas can sometimes be kept in “sororities,” but this requires experience, lots of space, and careful monitoring.
Watch for signs of stress or aggression—flaring, chasing, or fin damage—and adjust tankmates or setup as needed.
Common Health Concerns
Bettas are prone to several health issues if kept in poor conditions. The most common are:
Fin rot: caused by dirty water or injury
Swim bladder disorder: linked to overfeeding or poor diet
Velvet or ich: parasitic diseases from poor water quality or new tankmates
Prevention is key: keep the water clean, offer a proper diet, and quarantine new fish or plants before adding them to the tank.
Final Thoughts
Bettas are captivating and rewarding pets when cared for properly. By providing a warm, clean tank with gentle filtration, a protein-rich diet, and some simple enrichment, your betta will thrive—not just survive. Far from being disposable bowl fish, bettas are intelligent, responsive companions that can live up to 3–5 years or more with proper care.
