How To Take Care Of A Betta Fish – An Introduction

I love Betta fish and they are one of the most popular and colorful fish breeds in the world. Because of their aggressive nature we name them Siamese fighting fish. These fish have long and colorful fins which make them more attractive. Due to these factors many aquarist love have betta fish in their aquariums. As a beginner I did not know how to take care of a betta fish properly. But with time I gain lot of experiences and I now know lot about betta fish. In this article I try to provide you a comprehensive guide on how to take care of these majestic creatures.

Like all other animals betta fish also require basic things like food, a place to live, clean quality water, medicine, micronutrients, etc. Unlike wild animals, betta fish require special care. In nature betta fishes are aggressive, and they like to hunt down other fishes. Also, they enjoy chasing other fishes in their territories. But, when you put that aggressive fish in calm still water pot, it will get stressed very quickly. So, always consider providing all your needs to your fish to keep them happy.

Taking care of a betta fish

Bettas belong to the gourami family. Average gourami lives about 3 to 5 years. The scientific name of bettas is Betta splendens.  To take care of a betta fish you need to know many things about them. The name fighting fish gives a better idea about their behavior. But the aggressive or fighting nature is always shown by the males. This means when there is a male betta in that environment where another male betta lives, most of the time they fight each other. These fights are not getting fatal. However, some damage can happen to their fins and other body parts.

Food for betta fish

Betta fish can depend on flake food and other ordinary fish food varieties. But, to keep them happy and healthy feed them with live feed, At least once a month. Shrimp verities like brian shrimp, and insect larvae verities like mosquito larvae are good feeds for your betta. Also, instead of giving flake food, you can try dried or frozen blood worms as the main meal. Betta fish loves to eat blood worms.

So, before you start to take care of a betta fish always do research about the nutritional requirements.

Tank temperature

To keep your betta fish healthy, you need to provide it with warm water. If you are living in a tropical country, no worries. But if you are living in a low-temperature country, having a good heater is necessary. If the temperature drop below 74 Fahrenheit or 23 degrees Celcius your betta may get sick. The recommended temperature is 78 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Water conditions

To take care of a Betta fish you need to have clean water to maintain good health. If you are using tap water, always dechlorinate water. The tap water contains chlorine as an anti-bacterial agent. High concentrations of chlorine are highly toxic for aquarium fish. So, if you are using tap water, use a chlorine-removing chemical or keep water for a day under sunlight. 

Betta fish lives under natural pH levels. Water in the 6.5 to 7.5 range is okay for a betta. So, use a pH meter to measure the pH levels of your tank and if the level is too high or too low, bring it to a proper standard. You can maintain the pH levels of the tank water by using natural remedies like Indian almond leaves. 

Tankmates for betta fish

Betta fishes are natural hunters. They have an aggressive temperament. So, before you choose tank mates for betta fish, you have to rethink your betta’s behavior. Like a human, every betta has a unique personality. Some may have very aggressive behaviors. So, after choosing tank mate, you can introduce and check your betta’s reaction for a few hours. If he is not attacking others, you can keep them in the same tank.

If you want to take good care of your betta fish, Don’t ever put two male bettas in the same tank. They will fight to the death. Unless you are trying to breed, don’t put males and females together. Also, introduce hiding spots to the tank so, the other fishes can hide if your betta tries to attack them.

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