Betta Fish Care - All Helpful And Interesting Information

About Betta Care

Betta fish are easy to care for, but they have some special requirements due to their behaviors. They are colorful fish, both fierce and fragile. While they are among the most popular aquarium fish the the world, they are also one of the most misunderstood.
Betta Fish Care - All Helpful And Interesting Information
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If you've just brought your new betta home, or if you are thinking of getting one, you probably have a lot of questions. This betta fish care guide can help you figure it all out, and give you the information you need to provide your new pet with a healthy environment where he will thrive for many years.
Or, perhaps you're having trouble with a betta you've had in the family for a while. It is tremendously disheartening when a pet gets sick or starts acting strangely, but you're not alone. Here you can find the answers to many frequently asked questions about betta fish and the things they do.
Maybe you'll discover your betta's actions aren't so weird after all!
Even though the tiny cups they come in at the pet store might suggest otherwise, bettas are not disposable pets. They require the same care and respect as any animal. Are you up to the task?
Of course! If you didn't care about your betta fish you wouldn't be here! So let's get down to business.

Betta Tank Selection

You want to choose a quality aquarium and have it set up before you bring your betta fish home. You may have heard that bettas do best in small bowls or even plant vases, but that’s simply not true. Just like any other tropical fish, they need space to thrive.
Small volumes of water pollute quickly, creating a bad environment for your fish. You’ll want to choose a tank that’s at least 5-gallons, but many people have great success keeping betta in beautifully planted 10-gallon tanks. Avoid small bowls and very small tanks.
So, why do some people think it is okay to keep these fish in tiny little containers? Betta fish are Anabantids, which means they can breathe air above the water through their mouths as well as obtain oxygen from the water through their gills.
They can exist in low-oxygen water environments where other fish would perish. In the wild, this means rice paddies or even muddy puddles. However, this is not an excuse for keeping betta fish in poor conditions.

Heat and Filtration for Your Betta Tank

As tropical fish, betta may require a heater and filter in their tank. You can find nano heaters for 5-gallon tanks, and if you choose a 10-gallon tank you’ll have many more options. Bettas need a temperature between 75 and 80 degrees.
You’ll want a heater capable of maintaining that temperature, as well as a thermometer that will accurately measure the temp of the tank water.
As with heaters, you can find nano filters for 5-gallons tanks, and a wider variety of options for 10-gallon tanks and up. Look for something with an adjustable flow. Bettas don’t like a lot of current. In worse-case scenarios strong currents can even be bad for their fins, so try to find a filter with low-flow capabilities.

Ideal Water Parameters

  • Temperature: 78 degrees
  • Nitrates: < 20
  • Nitrites: 0
  • Ammonia: 0
  • pH: 7.0

Additional Accessories for Your New Tank

You’ll need a few more supplies for your tank. Some things to think about:
  • Gravel and Substrate: In my opinion, regular aquarium gravel is best. Some people like to use large pebbles and marbles, and that’s fine if you are willing to go the extra mile every time you clean the tank. However, waste and uneaten food can easily slip between pebbles and become trapped, where they decay and foul the water. If you use regular gravel the tank is much easier to clean.
  • Plants: Bettas love plants, and they’ll sometimes even rest on the leaves. There are pros and cons to choosing live plants for your aquarium. But, if live plants seem too daunting, there is nothing wrong with artificial plants.
  • Hiding Spots: I always like to have a hiding spot, such as a cave or decoration the fish can swim into. It gives them a little haven where they can get away from light or current, or whatever else might be bothering them. Some fish use hiding spots a lot, where others rarely go into them.

How to Clean Your Betta Tank

If you set up your tank wisely you only need to spend a couple of minutes per week on maintenance. The most important thing is to perform a water change, while simultaneously cleaning the gravel. This is easily accomplished with an inexpensive siphon.
Choose a siphon based on the size of your tank. Obviously, very small tanks only require very small siphons.
You’ll want to vacuum the gravel until you remove about a third of the water, and then replace it will clean, fresh water. For small tanks, make sure you allow the new water to come up to room temperature before adding.
It’s important to know whether or not your water source includes chemicals such as chlorine. Many municipal water sources do. I use well water now, so I don’t have to worry about this, but when I lived in the city I always treated my tanks with water conditioner after each water change.
Dealing with algae is something you’ll have to do with good ol’ elbow grease. Algae scrubbers are inexpensive and are made to scrape the side of the tank clean. You may need to remove the decorations and clean them by hand

Betta Fish Care and Behavior FAQ

Have some questions about your betta fish? Is he doing something strange? Are you worried about his health? Odds are you're not the first betta owner to witness this behavior.
If you are new to betta keeping, or if you just want to learn more about this wonderful tropical fish, you can find in-depth answers to many of your questions below. If you don’t see your question addressed here, you can also look to see if your question has been asked before in the comments section.
After all of that, if you still can’t find the answers to your betta questions feel free to ask in the comments section below! I do respond ASAP to all legitimate questions, but be patient and give it a day or two, and please be sure to check that your question isn't already asked before posting.

What Do Betta Fish Eat?

Choose a simple flake or pellet and only feed as much as he will eat in a few minutes. Most food containers advise feeding several times per day, but in my experience once a day is fine.
In addition to flake food or betta pellets, your betta can eat freeze-dried foods and (thawed) frozen foods. Experiment and see when he likes. It’s best to find a good flake or pellet food for his regular feedings and provide the more exotic foods as treats.
Don’t go crazy. Overfeeding is one of the top reasons betta fish die before their time. Your betta won’t eat a lot, so pay attention to what he’s letting float to the bottom of the tank and learn to gauge the appropriate amount of food to feed. Remember, he is one small fish and doesn't need a lot of food. Uneaten food can spoil the water.

Why Is My Betta Fish Laying on the Bottom?

This is sometimes interpreted as a sign that a fish is about to die, but fear not. When a betta fish sits on the bottom it, in itself, does not mean that there is anything wrong. This is normal betta behavior, and as long as he appears otherwise healthy it is no concern. He’s just lazing around.
Bettas often sit on the bottom or of the leaves of real or artificial plants. However, if he appears to be tucking himself in a corner or in some other unnatural position it could be a sign that you need to include a hiding spot in his tank.
Also be on the lookout for any other signs of disease or injury. While healthy betta fish will often lay on the bottom, ill or injured fish may as well.

Is My Betta Fish Happy?

This seems like an odd question, but it is one I get several times per week in various forms on one or more of my betta articles. Usually, someone is concerned because their betta is no longer exhibiting a certain behavior, such as coming to the glass when a person enters the room.
Betta Fish Care - All Helpful And Interesting Information
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Truthfully, I have no idea if a fish is capable of being “happy” or not, though I am as guilty as anyone for using the term. I think it is more likely that they feel content when their needs are met, such as when they are free from danger and disease, well-fed and unstressed.
Sadness isn't something you can prevent in your betta, but you can prevent those other issues. You keep your betta stress-free by setting up his tank correctly. You know he is well fed because you practice smart feeding practices. You watch for signs of disease and treat if necessary, and you keep his tank clean through proper maintenance procedures.
These are things to strive for when keeping a betta fish. If you do this he will be content, and maybe even happy!

Why Do Betta Fish Make Bubble Nests?

It’s a mating thing. Male bettas build bubble nests, especially when they are content in their environment. In the wild this is where the male betta stashes the eggs after they are released by the female.
However, this is also the subject of a little confusion at times. The absence of a bubble nest doesn’t mean your fish isn’t content. Sometimes people change tanks or make some other alteration to the betta’s environment and then become concerned when there is no bubble nest the next day. Let your fish become accustomed to his new environment, and even then don’t worry if he isn’t making nests.
Likewise, the presence of a bubble nest doesn’t always mean everything is fine. Remember, this is an instinctual behavior, and bettas live is some pretty rough environments in the wild. They makes nests even when times are hard.
Also, bettas sometimes leave bubbles on the surface of the water when they come up to breathe, and these can be misinterpreted as attempts to build bubble nests.

Is My Betta Fish Bored or Lonely?

Worrying about a betta being bored and lonely is often used an excuse to add more fish to the tank. Usually, I think it is the fishkeeper who has become bored with the betta.
Betta Fish Care - All Helpful And Interesting Information
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There are situations where betta fish can have tankmates, which I will address below. However, concern over his social status is not a good reason to put him in a community setting.
Some fish do experience what we might call primitive loneliness. They are schooling fish, and when they are not with others of their kind they experience elevated stress. They don't like to be alone.
But bettas are not this kind of fish. They are fine all on their own, and in many cases they are better off. As long as you follow smart betta care practices you don’t need to worry about the mental state of your fish.

Why Is My Betta Hiding in the Corner of the Tank?

Bettas need some kind of decoration or structure they can swim into when they need to feel safe. If that isn’t provided, and he feels he needs it, you may find him tucked into a corner instead. Always provide a place for him to escape to.
This is especially true if the current in the tank is somewhat strong, or if there are other things in the tank that are causing him to feel threatened. Even the outside room can be threatening, if people are always tapping on the glass or making a great deal of noise around the tank.
The solution is to have a hiding spot, so betta can retreat when he needs to.

Why Is My Betta Flaring His Gills?

A betta flares his gills as a sign of aggression. He is saying: Look how big and bad I am! Back off, buddy!
If there is no other fish in the tank it may be because he sees his reflection and thinks it is another betta fish. Bettas are territorial, and the perceived presence of another male will send him into fight mode. He doesn’t know it is his own reflection he sees.
This may be comical, and to some extent good for the fish, but don’t let it go on for hours on end. Adjust the light near his tank so he doesn’t see himself. If he is always flaring up because he perceives another fish in the tank he will be under constant stress and prone to illness.

Why Is My Betta Fish Swimming Up and Down the Sides of the Tank?

This is called glass surfing and it’s usually a sign that a fish in unhappy in its environment. That means he is experiencing stress of some kind. It could be because of poor water conditions, or it could be because the tank is too small.
This is one of the reasons recommend tanks at least five gallons for a single betta fish. Some people put their fish in tanks as small as one gallon and then wonder why the fish spends all day glass surfing. In my opinion one gallon – or two gallons or three gallons - is far too little space. Bigger is better.
Like any tropical fish, bettas need to swim around and have a little room. And remember: bettas do not like fast currents, so if the filtration in the tank is pushing him around it could be causing him stress.

Why Is My Betta Fish Turning White?

This is due to stress. If he just went through a water change or some other event where his environment was disturbed he should relax in a few minutes. Likewise, if he just went through an episode of flaring it may be followed by his face turning white.
If it seems like he’s always stressed it could mean there is something wrong in the tank. Some possible reasons include poor water conditions, no hiding spots in the tank, or a tank that is too small or overcrowded.
If he is living in a community tank setting, and his face is white all the time, it is a sure sign that it is time to get him out of there. Something, or some fish, is causing him stress, and it isn’t the right environment for him.

Can I Have Two Male Betta Fish in the Same Tank?

In most circumstances two males bettas in the same tank will severely injure or even kill each other. The only possible way to have two in one tank is to use a divider system to partition the tank. If you try this don’t use a clear partition, as both fish may stress themselves to death trying to get at the other.
Male Bettas are aggressive fish, and will attack each other and fish similar to them. It’s important to realize this when planning the environment where your Betta will live. Novice fish keepers are wise to keep their betta alone in a single-specimen tank.

Can Bettas Live With Other Fish?

Maybe. It depends on the temperament of the other fish, and your betta. You may be surprised to read this, given the reputation bettas have for fighting. Because they are so aggressive, many people keep them in tanks separate from their other fish, which is smart for beginners.
However, they can be fine community fish as well, under the right circumstances. When kept with tankmates, the danger is often to the betta as much as to the other fish.
There are a few keys to keeping a betta fish in a community tank. In a nutshell:
  • Try to add your betta to a tank that’s already established.
  • Don’t put your betta in a tank with species who are known fin nippers.
  • No other semi-aggressive fish in the tank, especially other anabantids.
  • No other fish with flowing fins, as he may mistake them for another betta.
  • Have a peaceful tank with lots of hiding spots.
  • Above all else, always have a backup plan (small tank or bowl) ready in case betta doesn’t get along.

Can Betta Fish Have Tankmates That Aren’t Fish?

In many cases, yes, they can live with critters. In fact, in smaller tanks it is preferable to housing them other fish. You want to take some of the same precautions as you could keeping him with tankmates in a community setting, such as keeping a peaceful tank and, most importantly, having a backup plan in case things go wrong.
Some tankmates to consider are:
  • Apple/Mystery Snails
  • African Dwarf Frogs
  • Ghost Shrimp

Is My Betta Fish Sick?

People often think their fish is sick when really it is just a betta being a betta. However, there are some signs to watch out for that will clue you in to illness. Look for the following symptoms of common betta fish diseases:

  • Swimming Sideways: If you notice buoyancy issues with your fish, it could be because of swim bladder issues. Overfeeding and poor water conditions are the cause of many betta maladies. Do a water change, and switch to an alternate day feed/fast schedule for a week and see if he improves.
  • Fins deteriorating: This is often due to poor water conditions. Keep up with water changes, don’t overfeed, keep his water super-clean and he ought to recover.
  • Scales look like they are ready to pop off: If your betta seems to be blowing up like a balloon to the point where his scales seem to be ready to burst, this is condition called dropsy. Unfortunately it is usually fatal, but can be prevented if you avoid overfeeding, especially live or very rich foods like bloodworms.
  • Little white dots on scales: This is a parasitic infection called Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, or more commonly referred to as simply ich. It can be treated with over-the-counter meds, thought some fish keepers prefer to treat by raising the water temp and dosing the tank with aquarium salt.

Is Tap Water Safe for Fish?

If you are lucky enough to live where you have fresh, clean water without additives floating around in it, this will be fine for your betta.
If your water is drinkable, but you know it contains additives such as chlorine, there are dissolving tablets you can purchase that will condition the water and make it safe for your betta.
If you are unsure about the safety of your water you can purchase quality bottled spring water.
It’s a good idea to have the pH of your tap water tested. You can bring a sample and ask the staff at the pet store to do this for you, or you can purchase a kit and do it yourself. 

When Should I Change the Water in My Tank?

Some people wait until the water is visibly murky before performing maintenance on the tank. By then it’s too late.
If your Betta lives in an unfiltered setup you’ll need to completely change his water and clean his tank weekly. If he is in a tank with filtration, you need to change about 20-30% of his water weekly.
It’s best not to net him if you need to remove him from his home. His fins are fragile and it can greatly stress him. A better idea is to scoop him out into a small cup or bowl while you perform the weekly maintenance.
Be aware that Bettas can jump, so make sure he’s in a safe place.

Can Betta Fish Live With Goldfish?

The short answer is no. Goldfish and betta fish have very different care requirements. Goldfish are cold water fish, and betta are tropical fish, meaning the appropriate water temperature for each would stress the other.
Goldfish pollute water quickly, which would be deadly for a betta. They also have long, flowing fins, which could provoke aggression.
Finally, goldfish grow much too large for most home aquariums. They are appropriate only for very huge tanks and outdoor ponds.

Where Do Betta Fish Come From?

In the wild, betta can be found in ponds, slow-moving creeks and rivers in Southeast Asia. The fish you purchase in the pet stores are all male, and bred to bring out their amazing colors and flowing fins. Wild bettas are far more dull. Some pet stores sell female bettas, but they are not nearly as common.

Take Good Care of Your Betta!

Betta are so popular not just because they are beautiful, but also because they are so easy to take care of. But don’t make the mistake of thinking they are disposable pets. It's easy to keep your fish healthy if you know the ropes.
Finally, please don’t keep your betta in a tiny cube, and if you’re given one in a plant vase please liberate him as soon as possible. If nothing else, I try to be an advocate for responsible fish keeping.
Good luck with your betta!Bottom of Form
A good article from pethelpful.com


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What Do Betta Eat and How to Feed Betta? Best Betta Fish Food

Feeding you bettas the best type of food is a challenge for many fish owners. There is a wide variety of food available in the fish stores online and local pet stores that you can feed your fish

While deciding what you must feed your betta fish first just think from the fishes’ point of view and you'll be able to easily come with a lot of options. What would your betta have eaten if he would have been in the wild? Answering this simple question will itself make things easier for you to decide what kind of food will be best.

What do betta eat and how to feed betta?
Image from Instagram: aquariums_lovers

Here are some possible options to keep your betta healthy and improve it's lifespan.

1. Best Betta Fish Food - Live Food

Under live food bettas absolutely love bloodworms, daphnia and brine shrimp larvae. In the wild these live types of food are easily available and bettas when in wild can easily consume them. Blood worms are dark red colored and that is why are named like that.
You don’t have to visit a nearest lake or water puddles to catch these for your fish. You can buy them a local fish store in plastic bags and feed your fish. One challenge is that since your fish will love them to eat when they are alive (it's live food, right?), you'll need to keep necessary arrangement to keep them alive.

2. Best Betta Fish Food - Fish Flakes

Fish flakes are made from dried fish and bettas love them. Fish flakes contain vitamin C. B complex and even vitamin E. Some manufacturers use artificial colors in the fish flake food. If you find that the fish flakes food contains "spirulina" which is a type of algae then it's good for your betta.

3. Best Betta Fish Food - Beta fish Pellets 

If you don’t want to go for live food and even fish flakes for some reasons then a better option is betta fish pellets. One advantage of these is that these have been specifically prepared for bettas alone. While making these manufacturers take extra care to make them into the size, an adult betta can eat easily.

4. Best Betta Fish Food - Freeze Dried Food 

Instead of using live food some fish owners use freeze dried brine shrimp and blood worms. Since these are dried you don’t have to take extra care to keep them alive and even feed your fish just like flakes. Since this food is dried you don’t even have to keep them in a freezer. You can store it just like flakes and feed your pet whenever you have scheduled their meal.

5. Best Betta Fish Food - Mosquito larvae

This is the best amongst all types of food you can feed your betta, because in the wild bettas feed on these and stay healthy for years. The only problem is finding these near your home. You just can't go out and bring these from any dirty water puddle back in your tank because apart from mosquitoes you'll also bring a lot of bacteria causing deadly diseases for your fish.

Apart from the type of food mentioned above here are some simple rules you must follow.

  • Do not overfeed your bettas because fish do not eat everything you feed them. The uneaten food settles at the betta of the tank and gets rotten. The rotten food can drastically alter water chemistry and this can be harmful for your fish.
  • Maintain a tight schedule of feeding your bettas. Just like we humans even fish have a digestive system of their own and feeding everyday is a bad idea. You can feed your betta daily only the amount that he will consume completely. 
    What you can do is feed him little and see how much he consumes. If you find that you are feeding too much and he's leaving it uneaten, then adjust the next day and modify your quantity the other day.
  • No matter how much you plan there is always be uneaten food at the bottom of the tank. You can remove the fallen uneaten food particles while cleaning the tank using siphoning tube so that the water chemistry remains intact.
Happy Betta Keeping!

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Betta Gallery - Just Beauty


Betta fish are among the most popular freshwater tropical fish out there. They’re beautiful, with their flowing fins and brilliant colors. They’re mysterious, originating from far-off lands in the East. It is really interesting to keep one betta fish. Let's see my show and find more on IG: www.instagram.com/aquariums_lovers. Surely that you will be overwhelmed.

1. HM FEATHER GREEN MUSTARD 



2. HM THE PRINCE OF GOLD DRAGON 


3. HM THE MONTER BLUE YELLOW


4. HM THE RED SILVER


5. HM KOI RED MONTER


6. HM THE DRAGON PURPLE ORANGE


7. HM THE PIGLET PINK 


8. HM THE BLACK SILVER


Happy Betta Keeping!


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Reasons Why Betta Fish Die?


Betta fish are among the most popular freshwater tropical fish out there, and it’s easy to see why. They’re beautiful, with their flowing fins and brilliant colors. They’re mysterious, originating from far-off lands in the East. And, of course, they are very dangerous, having been trained in super-secret fishy fighting styles.
Reasons Why Betta Fish Die

But no aquatic ninja skills can save bettas from the ultimate end that awaits us all. Ashes to ashes; fish flakes to fish flakes. One minute you’re swimming merrily along, the next you’re belly-up and stuck to the filter intake.
There is no escaping the Angelfish of Death. Unfortunately, for many betta fish it all ends far too soon. If you are the keeper of such a fish it can be pretty disheartening when it dies before its time. You begin to wonder what you did wrong, what you may have done differently and if you deserve to keep a fish at all.
I’ve been there, with bettas and other species of fish. All you can do it take an analytical view of your fish-keeping habits and try to puzzle out whether or not you made a key error somewhere along the line. In some cases you’ve done nothing wrong. Just like other pets, and even people, fish can suffer from congenital issues that shorten their lives.
However, any time you unexpectedly lose a fish it is worth your time to take a look at things and see if you might need to change some of your practices. This article can help with that process. Here I’ve outlined some of the typical reasons betta fish die, and what you can do to avoid them.

1. Reasons Why Betta Fish Die? - Poor Water Conditions

Dirty water is one of the quickest ways to doom any fish tank. And it doesn’t even have to be visibly dirty. Chemicals from decomposing fish waste and uneaten food can contaminate your tank, rendering the water toxic.
Betta have a reputation for surviving in harsh environments where most fish would perish. This is because they are anabantids. They have evolved the ability to take gulps of air from above the water when the water itself is polluted and low in oxygen.
Sadly, this is also what makes people think it is okay to keep bettas in bowls and tiny tanks. Sure, he’ll survive for a while. But small volumes of water pollute very quickly, and it won’t be long before he is feeling the negative effects of poor water conditions. Fin rot and other diseases may be the result, as well as a marked increase in stress that will shorten his life.
Here are three things you can do to avoid this situation:
  • Choose at least a 5-gallon tank for your betta. This not only means a better living space for your fish, but the tank will be easier to maintain.
  • Use a filter. Yes, betta fish need filters in their tanks. Some 5-gallon tanks come with filters. Otherwise, there are nano filters out there choose from. If you go with a 10-gallon you will have many more options.
  • Vacuum the gravel and perform regular water changes. If you suck up the debris and perform a partial water change every-other week your betta’s home will stay much cleaner.

2. Reasons Why Betta Fish Die? - Low Temperatures

Some people seem to think bettas are like goldfish, and they’ll do fine in an unheated bowl or tank. This is incorrect. Goldfish require cooler water, but bettas are tropical fish. As such, they require water temperatures between 75 and 80 degrees.
Cool water again means stress, illness and premature death for your betta. Even if it’s warm where you live, if the temperature drops at night it will cause the tank water to rapidly cool.
So, what can you do?
  • Choose at least a 5-gallon tank. (Yup, it's worth mentioning twice.) Tiny volumes of water cool off very quickly. Five-gallon tanks maintain their temperature a little better, and 10-gallon tanks better still.
  • Use a heater. Like filters, there are nano versions available for 5-gallon tanks, but more options for 10-gallon tanks.
  • Monitor the water temperature. Don’t rely on the heater settings. A simple aquarium thermometer will tell you how warm your water is at all times.

3. Reasons Why Betta Fish Die? - Overfeeding

All fish need to eat a healthy diet. This means a good-quality flake or pellet and occasional treats. But some well-meaning betta owners go overboard, adding way too much food for one fish to consume.
Just like with people, when fish overeat it can lead to illness. Uneaten food can also foul the water, making it toxic for your fish. And, what goes into a fish must come out, so if you are stuffing your betta to the gills there is bound to be more waste in the tank.
So, what to do?
  • Feed your fish once per day and only as much as he will eat in a few minutes. Try to make sure as little food is wasted as possible.
  • Consider a fasting day. Skip feeding one day per week.
  • Clean the gravel and perform water changes. Set a regular schedule to maintain a healthy tank. This doesn't have to be a major chore, and there are easy ways to do water changes.

4. Reasons Why Betta Fish Die? - Harassment by Tankmates

Betta fish can have tankmates in certain situations. However, you need to be very careful how you go about it. Certain types of fish may provoke aggression in bettas, particularly other anabantids or fish with flowing fins they may mistake for another male betta.
But there is another side to the story, one you don’t often think about until it’s too late. While bettas have a reputation for aggression and fighting, they are actually fairly small, slow-moving fish. They can be attacked and bullied by larger fish, and smaller fish may nip at their fins.
This means perpetual (you guessed it) stress which inevitably leads to a premature (say it with me) death.
So how do we avoid this?
  • Have backup plan. Whenever you have your Betta in a community tank setting you need to have another setup ready to go in case of disaster. This could be something as simple as a temporary one-gallon bowl. (With the intent to upgrade him to a 5-gallon tank ASAP.) The point is to have a way to get Betta out of there if things go wrong.
  • Never try to keep your betta fish with tankmates in a tank under 10 gallons.There simply isn’t enough room for everyone to get along.
  • Be very selective about which tankmates you choose, and how you introduce your Betta. This articlecan help.

5. Reasons Why Betta Fish Die? - Stress

As we have seen, betta can die from poor water conditions, overfeeding, cool water temperatures and a dangerous living situation. Aside from the physical damage these issues can cause, when your fish is under constant stress he is more likely to get sick, and more likely to die.
But there are other potential stressors in you tank, ones you may never have thought of. The current from the filter or bubbler may push betta around. He may see his reflection in the tank glass and think it’s another fish, and constantly be looking to fight with himself. If he has no hiding spot such as a small cave or decoration he may feel vulnerable. If some knucklehead in your household is constantly tapping on the glass it may startle him.
There are a few simple things you can do here, aside from tackling the person who keeps tapping on the glass.
  • Choose a low-flow filter that doesn’t blow him around the tank. Avoid bubblers in small tanks.
  • Make sure he has somewhere to hide and escape from the world if he feels the need. Something as simple as a decoration or rock cave is fine.
  • Adjust the light in the room so he doesn’t see himself. A little flaring is no big deal, but if he thinks he has to continuously defend himself it will wear him out.

6. Reasons Why Betta Fish Die? - Issues Beyond Your Control

Betta fish are bred in huge numbers. They live in teeny cups for part of their lives, until you bring them home. If I’m saying a tank smaller than 5-gallons pollutes quickly, you can imagine how bad those little cups must be. It seems the deck is stacked against these poor fish from birth.
You have no way of knowing if your fish is sick when you bring him home. You have no way of knowing if he has some congenital issue that he’s going to die from no matter what you do. You can take a new puppy to the vet to get him checked out for such issues, but with a tiny fish there is simply no way to know.
If you feel like you’ve done everything right and your fish dies anyway, you have to go easy on yourself. Yes, it always helps to take a look at your fish-keeping practices and analyze if you could have done something differently. But, remember, it may not be your fault at all.
Likewise, if you’ve done all the wrong things and your betta lived for years and years, don’t assume doing the right thing doesn’t matter. Like people, some fish can live unhealthy lives and survive into old age. And, some can live in healthy, heated, safe, happy water and die young anyway.
All we can do is what we can do. The rest is luck.

Saving Betta

Caring for a fish properly can go a long way toward making sure he lives a long and happy life. As their stewards we owe it to them to try our best and keep their interests in mind. We have a responsibility when we take a living thing into our home and care for it. If we aren’t going to take it seriously, why even have a fish at all?
Aside from practicing smart aquarium care habits, one other thing you can do is be wise where you purchase your fish. Conscientious pet stores only stock as many fish as they know they can sell in a reasonable amount of time. If you see a massive pile of betta cups filled with dazed and half-dead fish, don’t bother looking for the one healthy fish in the pile. Go somewhere else.
If you’ve lost a betta it can be frustrating and heartbreaking. You may have made some errors, things you can do differently next time. Being a good betta owner doesn’t mean you are always perfect, but it does mean you do your best, and learn from your mistakes.
Happy Betta Keeping!
Source: Eric Dockett - pethelpful.com


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Common Betta Diseases with Symptom, Cause, Treatment and Prevention (updated)


Hello! This is Betta Aquarium King. Previous article I mentioned 4 common betta diseases and now I would like to update part II with 3 more. Hopefully it will be helpful for you.
  • Popeye
  • Eyecloud
  • Fish Fungus

1.  Pop Eye

Symptoms: Pop eye is one of common betta diseases with below symptoms:
  • Mycobacterial infection (which is easily treatable)
  • Tuberculosis (not so treatable)
  • Parasitic infection
  • Ichthyophonus or Ick (another bacterial infection and highly treatable)
  • Eye flukes
  • Internal metabolic disorders
    Common Betta Diseases with Symptom, Cause, Treatment and Prevention (updated) 

Cause: Could be viral, a tumor, parasitic, or tuberculosis infection.
Treatment:  If the cause of Popeye is a mycobacterial infection, you should go ahead and first treat the root of the bacteria itself. This is easily done by cleaning the tank water and ensuring that the pH balance of the water is just slightly acidic. On a side note, nearly all bacterial infections found in bettas and other fish that are pets can be prevented or in the very least you can reduce the risk of them by doing keeping the water clean and monitoring the pH balance.
Additionally, you can treat the water with Tetracycline or Terramycin, two very popular antibacterial medications that you can purchase at your local pet store. The standard is to add this in the water 100 mg of the antibiotic for every 4 oz. of food.
If this doesn't work, you can try these other methods for a quick fix that also work well as a preventative measure for your betta
Warm the water to 86 degrees. You will want to do this gradually at a rate of 1 degree per hour. The water temperature should already be in the high 70 degree range.
Add a little salt to the water- The key is "little". Don't give your betta fish a salt bath. The percentage of salt added to the water should be no higher than .6%
Both of these quick fixes will help to keep bacterial infections at bay. It is important to note that if your fix is exhibiting signs of Popeye, you should avoid contact. Although it is unlikely your betta has tuberculosis, it is transmissible to humans through open sores.
In conclusion, Popeye is treatable and like most bacterial infections, the cause is normally dirty water or a low pH. The best way to prevent Popeye is to make sure your betta fish is in a stress free environment. That means clean water, good food, and nice warm water.
Prevention:
  • Change the water regularly
  • Clean your fish tank every 1–2 weeks
  • Keep the tank water warm
  • Keep the tank water slightly acidic.
  • Carefully introduce new fish to the fish tank

2. Eyecloud

Symptoms: The fish eye becomes cloudy almost to the point of whiteness and the fish lose vision 
Common Betta Diseases with Symptom, Cause, Treatment and Prevention

Cause: The most common cause of cloudy eyes in aquarium fish seems to be poor water quality, especially when the pH drops too low.
Treatment:
Treating this condition requires an investigation of water quality by means of doing regular water tests with a good quality test kit. Once the water quality is high enough, the fish will usually recover by them selves within 1-2 weeks.
Prevention:
Always ensure your water quality is how it should be for the fish you are keeping and your levels are where they should be with zero ammonia, zero nitrite and low nitrate (around 20ppm or lower).

3. Fish Fungus

Symptoms: A Betta that is affected by a common fungal infection will have fuzzy patches of white growth, found on the head and flanks of the fish in most common cases. Bettas that are afflicted with a fungal infection may also become lethargic, becoming far less active than the fish might otherwise be.
Other symptoms of a fungus infection include a lowering in the appetite of your Betta fish, and in less common cases can cause your Betta fish to discolor.
Common Betta Diseases with Symptom, Cause, Treatment and Prevention

Cause: This is a bacterial disease
Treatment:
Once your Betta is afflicted with a fungal infection, it is vital to get the infection cleared up as soon as possible. Unless the fish is very severely affected by the fungus, or is left untreated for an extended period of time, Bettas survive these common fungal infections quite easily. It is vital that the offending culprit - most likely dirty water - is attended to.
Be careful when changing the water and cleaning the tank of a sick Betta fish. The water changing process is already rather stressful on them, and this can be even more so to a sick Betta fish. Carefully change 1/3 of the water each day for three days until you have a tank full of fresh, chlorine free water for your Betta. It is also recommended that you go to your local pet or fish store to buy anti-fungal drops. These will help to quickly clear up the infection on your Betta, as well as kill any fungus that may still be lurking in the tank.
Prevention:
Good tank "hygiene" is the easiest way to reduce your Bettas susceptibility to fungal infections.
The best way to avoid fungal infections in Bettas is to maintain clean, regularly changed water. It is not recommended that you change an entire Betta tank full of water at one time, as this is stressful for the fish. Bi-weekly changes of roughly 1/3 of the tanks water is the perfect regimen to keep the tank as clean and fresh as possible.
The proper feeding of your Betta is also an excellent form of preventative treatment.

Happy Betta Keeping!


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