wanting to raise a betta fish...

[Semidevil]

so I am planning to try to raise a betta fish. So here is what I have gathered. From the pets store and the pets store worker, I know that the fish doesn't require a filter to survive. That is why it stays in a cup.

I've also seen people put the fish in a vase, with a plant on top; they say that the plant helps give it oxygen to breathe. ok, so is a plant required to help keep it alive, or can I just put it inside a glass jar, and it will live nicely??

 

[RedPickle]

keeping certain plants inside the water does improve the life of a fish, however, you should becareful that the fish does not chew on the plant itself. A filter is always a good thing to have, however if you just want a fish in a jar you better be planning to change that water often.

 

[Jzero]

1. Small cup - BAD. Even with 1 betta, you should give him at least 1 gallon of water. I keep mine in 2.5 gallon tanks.
2. Labyrinth fish. They breathe from the surface. Every so often you will see him take a breath. Therefore no need for surface agitation.
3. Filter - always good, but stick to the little ones you hook up to an air pump - Bettas' natural habitat is rice paddies. They like still water.
4. Temperature - they are hardy and can handle most any reasonable room temperature, but their natural habitat is THAILAND which is quite warm most of the year, if not downright hot during the summer. If you can keep them in a room that is at least 75F or a heater suitable for a very small tank to get the water to around 80F, they will be happier.
5. Mirrors/Other Bettas - believe it or not, bettas are healthier when living in the company of other bettas. Maybe it's competition? If you keep a 2 male bettas in a tank with a clear divider, they will be brighter, bigger, and build more bubble nests, which is a sign that they are happy and healthy. A little mirror in the tank isn't bad in a pinch.
6. Food - contrary to what the lady in the mall may say, you can't just let them eat the roots of a plant. They might survive, but how happy would you be if all you could eat was a root? Buy them floating betta food and also feed them brine shrimp or blood worms for a treat. Only feed them a little bit - 4-5 pellets.
7. Cover - They like cover. Put plants and furniture in the tank that they can hide in and swim among.

Feed daily, change the water weekly. Make sure you let the replacement water stand for a few hours to dissipate the chlorine and allow the temperatures to equalize. They can handle a wide range of temperatures, but rapid changes will kill them. Bettas CAN handle a 100% water change.

Have fun and don't get addicted. My ex-gf started breeding them. It was crazy.

 

[labrat25]

and they'll eat anything, including cooked hamburger and pizza 🙂

 

[bleeb]

Instead of allowing the water to rid it self of chlorine, I'd recommend using water conditioners.

 

[RedPickle]

Originally posted by: bleeb
Instead of allowing the water to rid it self of chlorine, I'd recommend using water conditioners.

That is a good idea, I second it.

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: bleeb
Instead of allowing the water to rid it self of chlorine, I'd recommend using water conditioners.

That works, too. The only reason not to is that assuming the water in the tank/vase is room temperature, you would be best served to let the water stand for a few hours to allow it to be the same temp as the water in the tank, so the chlorine is going to dissipate while you wait. It ends up being redundant.