Betta questions

Galaxie

Galaxie

AC Members
Feb 4, 2005
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I have read some conflicting information in caring for my new Betta.....

Some state that temp. ranges should be 78-82, but others say 65-75. Which is correct? Currently, he doesn't have a heater in his 10 gal., but room temp keeps it 73-76 at all times.

Also, evidently Bettas like about 1/2 teaspoon salt per gallon, but they state "Only Aquarium Salt should be used. Table salt is not an acceptable substitute." From what I can tell, salt is salt. If the only ingredient is Sodium Chloride, I should be fine using Morton's Table Salt. Anyone agree or disagree? (fyi, my swordtails are 4 months old and healthy in a 2 tspn/gallon brackish aquarium....using Morton's)
 
I am not a betta expert but my betta was misserable in the cold water in his old tank ~70degrees, He is now in a tank with a heater at about 77 degrees and he is much happier, as far as I know they like heat.
 
A bit warmer will be better, and give you a more active fish.

In terms of salt--1), 'FW aquarium salt' may or may not be different from table salt--those packages do not list ingredients, but claim more than just salt in terms of effects. Indeed, sodium chloride is the same, but other additives may not be. The use of table salt has been advised against for a long time--but there is no truth the the myth. The amount of iodide and other additives in table salt are low, and not harmful to the fish at prescribed doses--you'd basically pickle the fish in salt before the iodide level was high enough to cause a problem.

However--point 2--freshwater fish do not need salt in their water. None. Not a bit. There is no benefit to salting the fish, either health or behavior. It's another myth, and one that can be very dangerous. Without monitoring the salinity level, you could easily exceed the fishes tolerance--not good. And that's all it is, since the addition of either FW aquarium salt or table salt does not create brackish or marine conditions, and the fish will tolerate a certain level of salt in the water, but it does not need it.
 
Once I set my thermostat too low and the tank fell to about 65 degrees or so and my poor betta was huddled around the heater when I noticed it.
After upping to 75 he was alot happier. 75 to 78 is nice I think. I
 
Definately keep your tank 75-78 range for betta. and definately get a heater. It is more stable that way. stability=good. even witha heate I had an incedent where a window got left open while I was away the weekend, the temp dropped, the wind picked up and I came home to some chilly fisheys huddled all together in hiding places.

Salt- sea vs. table - is a controversey. You'd have to research that on your own, but you hsouldn't be putting it in anyway. It may help if your fish are sick to put a little in. Also it builds up. Even though your water evaporates, the salt doesn't. which means you have more salt than you think.

Watch your bettas color/behavior. when happy, it will have vibrant color, be active and blow bubble nests. when stressed it will pale or gray, be mopey and no nest. (though if your tank is filtered you won't see a nest probably.)

lisa
 
Also, I would guess that the temp. will fluctuate over the seasons, and it would not take long for a 10g tank to change temps. They're cheap enough, so its probably your best bet to get one! Even though I hate shopping there, I got a really nice one at Petsmart for 15 dollars that you can set to a specific temperature.
 
Well, before I read these replies, I already put the 50watt heater in the betta 10gal. All the conflicting info on the web.....its really hard to figure who has the accurate truth....but, unlike a goldfish, any tropical fish (at least) needs a stable temperature. I've also been reading about possible betta tankmates and the battle lines are divided on this issue also. I'm going to keep him solo in his little tank.....hopefully he doesn't get lonely. (his area of the house has lots of activity and 2 cats that like looking in on him.....he doesn't seem skittish or shy)

2 teaspoons of salt/gallon seems to keep my swordtails pretty happy. They've bred twice in 2 months and I have about 5 babies from 2 wks- 2 months old now. It is my understanding that they like "brackish" water....for whatever reason. ....and in such small quanitites salt makes for a good disease preventative.

No salt for the betta though........I've seen no other support for this.
 
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