Betta Fish Tip Sheet

Question 1

Background

Answer 1

Also known as Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens)

Originally found in rice paddies and flood plains of Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand.

But today are largely captive-raised and selectively bred for aquarium hobby.

Average lifespan is 2-3 years.

Question 2

Environmental

Small environments

Answer 2

Small environment are more difficult to maintain and may not be suitable for beginners. The challenges with small environments is trying to maintain a constant temperature and clean water to live in while providing adequate decorations.

This is as little as 1.5 L/0.4 US Gal

Question 3

Environmental

Small/medium environment

Answer 3

A 3.8 – 7.6 litre tank (1 to 2 US Gal) is a better choice for housing a Betta. This environment provides a little more area for your fish to swim in which can be accessorized with lights, a miniature filter and heater to improve the water conditions.

Question 4

Environmental

Medium environment

Answer 4

The best home is a nano aquarium, 11.3 L/3 US Gal to 53 L/14 US Gal).

These advanced little ecosystems have a great filter, systems and different lighting options such as LED, to re-create a beautiful fish oasis.

Question 5

Environmental

Water conditions

Answer 5

Require a constant warm water temperature (it doesn’t fluctuate no more than 2°) to maintain proper digestion and healthy enzyme production.

This temperature can be between (24-28°C or 75-82°F).

Take this into consideration when deciding the placement with in your household.

Miniature aquarium, heaters and thermometers are available.

Question 6

Nutritional

Answer 6

Mainly insectivores which is a type of carnivore.

You can tell by the upturned mouth that they prefer to eat from the waters surface.

The best foods to offer are a combination of prepared pelleted foods, frozen or freeze dried blood worms (mosquito larvae) and live, frozen or freeze-dried brine shrimp.

All frozen or freeze dried foods, or more digestible when soaked in de-chlorinated water first.

Can only stomach about the size of the two eyes put together.

Offering them only 2 to 3 pieces of food per feeding is plenty.

Should be fed once or twice per day.

Don’t let uneaten food sink to the bottom.

The food can quickly go bad, creating harmful bacteria and/or fungus which may cause the small environment to become unhealthy for the fish.

Question 7

Behavioural

Answer 7

How long flowing fins and prefer to stay near the surface of the water.

The water movement in their home should be slow or have quiet zones so as not to create undue stress.

Live or silk plant decorations should rise close to the water surface to allow for refuge and resting zones. This is important to provide a comfortable refuge.

They like to rest on leaves to conserve their energy.

Enhance the home with smooth surfaced rocks or miniature decorations that won’t snag on their fins.

A small amount of aquarium gravel provides a base in which to anchor, plants and decorations . It also provides a natural aesthetic base while helping to improve water quality.

Question 8

Maintenance

Answer 8

A small water circulating filter is the best method of maintaining optimum water conditions between water exchanges.

Small 20-25% water exchanges are necessary to maintain good water quality.

If you do not have an aquarium filter, exchange the water in the container every 2 to 3 days.

If you have an aquarium filter once per week to a week and a half will suffice.

Replace the aquarium water with fresh tap water that has been treated with a water conditioner and bacteria supplement to improve water conditions.

We recommend using a soft algae cleaner or algae magnet to keep the glass or plastic Home free of algae without scratching the surface.

Question 9

Setting up an introducing your Betta into their new home

Answer 9

• Avoid exposing the feeder to extreme temperatures on the way home
• Rinse the container, gravel, all decorations and filters in lukewarm water. Never use any soaps or detergents.
• place the gravel in the bottom of the aquarium and decorate the environment to shoot you and your Betta
• Gently add warm freshwater to the container, feeling it no more than 1 inch from the top. This prevention your nervous betta from making that big Leap.
• Add a water conditioner and bacteria supplement to the water.
• Place the aquarium heater in the water, allowing it to acclimate for one hour before plugging it in.
• Float the beta in its bag in the water and wait 15 minutes to acclimate to temperature
• Remove the beta from the bag with a fishnet, and place in the aquarium.
  Discard all the water from the bag. It’s best that the water from the bag not go into the container.
• The fishnet will also come in handy for moving on eating fish, food or transferring your Betta later.
• Feed your Betta the next day and observe his behaviour for the next couple days.

Question 10

Checklist

Answer 10

• Betta tank or small aquarium
• LED light (optional)
• Small aquarium heater, and thermometer (optional, but recommended)
• 2 different types of beta foods
• Live aquarium plants (algae balls, and cryptocorynes or silk plants)
• miniature decoration
• Gravel
• Aquarium filter (optional the recommended)
• Fishnet
• Water conditioner
• Bacteria supplement
• Algae cleaner