Hello I am Starting this Thread because of my love for these beautiful fish and to try and thwart the myriad of misunderstandings, misinformation, and the "old wives tales" of raising Betta's. I believe that sound information shared by Betta enthusiasts will help in creating a better environment for our pets.
To start the name Betta is pronounced (Beh-tuh), I have been hearing more and more people calling them (Bay-tuh) or worse yet Bay-tuh fish. I know it may appear nitpicking but I felt it best to begin by reinforcing their name.
These fish originate in Asia primarily south east asia <Siam where they get their name>. With that said I cannot stress enough that these ARE NOT cold water fish they are TROPICAL fish, meaning they require a heated aquarium.
There have been alot of misunderstandings mainly due to the fact that people learned about their Labyrinth organ and being able to breathe air. This meant the Owner could be lazy and only needed a cup or bowl.
Nothing could be further from the truth. While they can breathe air and live in conditions that would quickly kill most fish does not mean that they should be kept that way.
Betta's come from a very warm climate and as such the water is proportionately warmer, around 75-80 degrees on average & since no one keeps they're house that warm means most Betta's are condemned to exist in cold water which will not kill them <Over time it can shorten their life> but keeps them in a listless or less active state. While gold fish can thrive in 60-70 degree water <Even down in the mid 50's...they are cold water fish> Betta's won't thrive. Pet stores are primarily the blame for current Betta myths and even propagate them by selling small little plastic prisons which offer no filtration and no heat, yes we could live our entire lives in a 4x4 closet but we would never live to our full potential that way. Resist the impulse to buy such cells and give your pet some space even fish will realize they are confined and constantly be under stress...ever wonder why most store bought Betta's have frayed or damaged fins...colors may be good but look closer. A Single male can be kept happy in a modest 5 gallon tank with light, heat and plants...not plastic these cause damage in confined spaces....live ones are best a few sprigs of cabamba or hornwart goes along way.
Remember these rules please no animal should be kept the way Betta's have been.
1: Betta's are Tropical fish they need heat 78dg is ideal a few either way is fine.
2: Betta's ARE NOT bowl fish..they don't need much water movement but filtration will insure health. But they need to have room...cups and boxes don't cut it here....3-5gl is good larger is always better.
3: Plants...Betta's need plants for keeping stress down and possible breeding. Plastic plants look plastic and cost more than live ones do the extra and place some easy growers less maint. ones like Cabamba, anacharis.
4: Anyone that tells you Betta's cant live in filtered tanks and must be kept in a jar on the coffee table is not a source you need to listen too. Betta's do prefer slow less active water so get filtration that can either be adjusted to give less flow or can be directed in a way that allows some dead spots in water movement. I know many that use Sponge bubble filters with great success, in a community tank that isn't possible but you can use decorations and such to create areas that have less current <Topic on that later>.
5. Keep the tank free of waste and junk, just because they can get a gulp of air from the top doesn't mean you have to make it that way, Healthy water makes a healthy Betta. Regular gravel cleaning and tank maint. will be much appreciated by your Betta friend and a content fish will always be a sight to observe.
More later and let's keep this thread clean and helpful especially to those who might be wanting to start their own Betta tank. I do realize that because alot of people were taught in certain ways they may find this to be a cause for argument, research will reinforce what I have said here. I have raised and bred Betta's since childhood and suffered the pitfalls and losses that some of you may have experienced, I am by no means an expert but I do have alot of experience with these beautiful fish. So let's keep this going and do our best to insure that one the Freshwater Aquariums top 5 Fish to own stays in that rank, and will always remain one of our favorites.
To start the name Betta is pronounced (Beh-tuh), I have been hearing more and more people calling them (Bay-tuh) or worse yet Bay-tuh fish. I know it may appear nitpicking but I felt it best to begin by reinforcing their name.
These fish originate in Asia primarily south east asia <Siam where they get their name>. With that said I cannot stress enough that these ARE NOT cold water fish they are TROPICAL fish, meaning they require a heated aquarium.
There have been alot of misunderstandings mainly due to the fact that people learned about their Labyrinth organ and being able to breathe air. This meant the Owner could be lazy and only needed a cup or bowl.
Nothing could be further from the truth. While they can breathe air and live in conditions that would quickly kill most fish does not mean that they should be kept that way.
Betta's come from a very warm climate and as such the water is proportionately warmer, around 75-80 degrees on average & since no one keeps they're house that warm means most Betta's are condemned to exist in cold water which will not kill them <Over time it can shorten their life> but keeps them in a listless or less active state. While gold fish can thrive in 60-70 degree water <Even down in the mid 50's...they are cold water fish> Betta's won't thrive. Pet stores are primarily the blame for current Betta myths and even propagate them by selling small little plastic prisons which offer no filtration and no heat, yes we could live our entire lives in a 4x4 closet but we would never live to our full potential that way. Resist the impulse to buy such cells and give your pet some space even fish will realize they are confined and constantly be under stress...ever wonder why most store bought Betta's have frayed or damaged fins...colors may be good but look closer. A Single male can be kept happy in a modest 5 gallon tank with light, heat and plants...not plastic these cause damage in confined spaces....live ones are best a few sprigs of cabamba or hornwart goes along way.
Remember these rules please no animal should be kept the way Betta's have been.
1: Betta's are Tropical fish they need heat 78dg is ideal a few either way is fine.
2: Betta's ARE NOT bowl fish..they don't need much water movement but filtration will insure health. But they need to have room...cups and boxes don't cut it here....3-5gl is good larger is always better.
3: Plants...Betta's need plants for keeping stress down and possible breeding. Plastic plants look plastic and cost more than live ones do the extra and place some easy growers less maint. ones like Cabamba, anacharis.
4: Anyone that tells you Betta's cant live in filtered tanks and must be kept in a jar on the coffee table is not a source you need to listen too. Betta's do prefer slow less active water so get filtration that can either be adjusted to give less flow or can be directed in a way that allows some dead spots in water movement. I know many that use Sponge bubble filters with great success, in a community tank that isn't possible but you can use decorations and such to create areas that have less current <Topic on that later>.
5. Keep the tank free of waste and junk, just because they can get a gulp of air from the top doesn't mean you have to make it that way, Healthy water makes a healthy Betta. Regular gravel cleaning and tank maint. will be much appreciated by your Betta friend and a content fish will always be a sight to observe.
More later and let's keep this thread clean and helpful especially to those who might be wanting to start their own Betta tank. I do realize that because alot of people were taught in certain ways they may find this to be a cause for argument, research will reinforce what I have said here. I have raised and bred Betta's since childhood and suffered the pitfalls and losses that some of you may have experienced, I am by no means an expert but I do have alot of experience with these beautiful fish. So let's keep this going and do our best to insure that one the Freshwater Aquariums top 5 Fish to own stays in that rank, and will always remain one of our favorites.
>. For those of you that aren't sure what Dropsy is or how to tell a quick internet search yields tons of info, but in short it's a full body bloating that makes them look like a pine cone, the scales stick out all over and they become listless and seem to make extreme effort to even get to food. I know it's a fish but she will missed. Her sisters are in full swing and about ready to breed so is her 3 daughters which I kept after selling the others.