How to keep Betta fish from dying and enhance their color

Betta fish are popular and beautiful ornamental fish, but they are also very sensitive and easily affected by environmental conditions. Many betta owners often encounter problems such as early death or not achieving the desired vibrant colors. To keep betta fish alive and colorful, you need to pay attention to many factors such as water temperature, pH, light, food, tank hygiene, and disease prevention. In this article, we will introduce you to effective and safe ways to care for betta fish, helping you have healthy and colorful fish.

What is a Betta fish?

Betta fish are popularly known as Siamese fighting fish or simply fighting fish. Betta fish are beautiful and popular ornamental fish, scientifically named Betta splendens, belonging to the perch family. Betta fish originate from Thailand, Cambodia, and other Southeast Asian countries, where they live in small, low-oxygen puddles. Betta fish have the ability to breathe air using an organ called a labyrinth organ. Betta fish have large and soft fins, with diverse and vibrant colors, from solid to multi-colored, and can have patterns like butterfly, marble, or koi.

Betta fish are naturally aggressive, especially males, so they are often kept for fighting or as decorations in aquariums. There are many different types of betta fish, the most popular being betta halfmoon, betta koi, and betta dumbo halfmoon. Betta fish are easy to keep and care for; you just need to choose a suitable tank, quality food, and maintain a stable water temperature. The price of betta fish ranges from tens of thousands to millions of Vietnamese dong, depending on the type and origin.

Question 1: Do Betta fish need oxygen?

This is a common question among many aquarium enthusiasts. Betta fish are easy to keep, beautiful, and come in many different colors. Betta fish can live in low-oxygen water conditions because they can extract oxygen from the air using their labyrinth organ. However, that doesn't mean betta fish don't need oxygen at all. Oxygen is still an important factor for maintaining the life and health of betta fish.

According to reference sources, betta fish do not need an air pump; you only need to change the water once a week. If you keep betta fish in a planted tank, you can use a small air pump to add oxygen to the tank, but it should be set to a low power to avoid stressing the fish. Additionally, you should also pay attention to other factors such as temperature, pH, water hardness, food quantity, and tank hygiene to best care for your betta fish. Betta fish are popular and easy-to-care-for ornamental fish. You just need to know some basic principles and follow them to keep your betta fish healthy and vibrant.

Question 2: What is the standard tank size for Betta fish?

The standard size of a tank or aquarium for Betta fish is an important matter you need to know if you want to provide the best care for your Betta. Betta fish are freshwater fish with beautiful colors and territorial instincts, so you should not keep two male fish in the same tank. Betta fish also need enough space to swim and explore, but not too large to avoid stress and cold. According to experts, the standard Betta fish tank size ranges from 10 to 20 liters, equivalent to dimensions of 60x30x30 cm or larger.

A simple rule is that for every 2.5 cm of fish length, there should be at least 4 liters of water in the tank. You should also equip the tank with a filter, heater, and light to maintain suitable temperature, pH, and water quality for your Betta fish. Additionally, you can add a layer of gravel and some aquatic plants to the tank to create conditions for beneficial bacteria to grow and clean the water, as well as provide hiding places for your Betta fish.

Question 3: Do Betta fish need gravel in the tank?

Gravel is an important part of a betta fish tank, as it offers many benefits for the fish's living environment. Gravel helps balance the pH and hardness of the water, provides space for beneficial microorganisms to multiply, and serves as a base for decorations or plants in the tank. However, not all types of gravel are suitable for a betta fish tank.

You need to carefully choose gravel that is small, smooth, and not sharp, to avoid scratching the fish's skin or fins. You should also choose gravel colors close to natural ones, such as brown, gray, or black, to create a sense of security and comfort for your betta fish. Aquarium gravel can be purchased at pet stores or online, but you must wash the gravel thoroughly before placing it in the tank to remove dirt and harmful substances that could affect the fish's health.

Question 4: How to keep Betta fish in a planted tank?

One way to make your betta fish tank more lively and attractive is to decorate it with fish-safe materials and aquatic plants. These decorations and aquatic plants (real or fake) not only make the tank more aesthetically pleasing but also create hiding spots for betta fish when they need to rest or avoid stressful factors. However, you should not overfill the tank with decorations; they should only occupy about half of the tank's area to give the betta fish enough space to swim and explore. You also need to carefully select appropriate decorations for the tank and only use plants with soft, non-sharp leaves to protect the betta fish's skin and fins.

What are the best fish to keep with Betta fish?

Betta fish are beautiful and popular aquarium fish, but not all types of fish can be kept with them. Betta fish have a wild nature, prefer to live alone, and are territorial, especially males. If you want to keep betta fish with other types of fish, you need to choose fish that are compatible with the betta's nature and living environment.

Here are some of the best fish you can keep with Betta fish:

• Pleco (Suckerfish): These are algae-eaters, peaceful, and help keep algae at appropriate levels in your aquarium. However, only one should be kept in a tank, as this species can grow quite large.
• Corydoras catfish: These are popular, gentle, and easy-to-keep aquarium fish. They live in groups of 6, inhabit the bottom, and keep the bottom clean. Corydoras catfish do not have flashy colors, so they attract less attention from betta fish.
• Ghost shrimp: These are small, gentle shrimp that eat leftover food from betta fish. They also help keep the aquarium clean and do not prey on live fish. However, ghost shrimp can be attacked by betta fish if they are too aggressive.
• White cloud mountain minnows: These are peaceful fish that live in groups of 6 and never damage the fins of other species. They also do not have long fins, so they are less likely to be attacked by betta fish. Their diet consists of crustaceans, shrimp, and earthworms.
• Harlequin rasboras: These are small fish that live in groups and do not harm other species. They also do not have long fins or prominent colors, so they are less likely to be noticed by betta fish. Their diet consists of flakes or crustaceans.

Additionally, you should keep some things in mind when keeping Betta fish with other types of fish:

• The tank must be large enough, at least 38 liters of water or more, to provide enough living space for all fish species.
• The water in the tank must be filtered and maintained at a suitable temperature for all fish species. The best water temperature for betta fish is 24-27 degrees C, while some other species prefer cooler water. You can adjust the water temperature to an intermediate level, around 24 degrees C, so that all fish species can tolerate it.
• You should introduce the betta fish into the tank last, after other fish species have become accustomed to the living environment. This helps reduce territorial aggression from the betta fish and gives other fish species a chance to adapt.
• You should monitor the behavior of the betta fish and other fish species in the tank to detect early signs of incompatibility or conflict. If the betta fish is too aggressive or is harassed by other species, you should separate them from the tank to avoid serious injuries.

We hope this article will provide you with more knowledge on how to keep betta fish with other fish species. We wish you success and happy moments with your beautiful ornamental fish!

Question 5: How to properly treat tap water for Betta fish?

Adding aquarium water conditioner to regular tap water is an important step to keep betta fish safely and effectively. Tap water is the most common water source for aquariums, but it can also contain chlorine and other chemicals that water providers use to disinfect water. These substances can irritate the skin, eyes, and gills of betta fish, so you need to remove them from the water before introducing the fish.

You can use aquarium water conditioner to do this. Aquarium water conditioner is a chemical designed to bind with toxins in the water and turn them into harmless compounds. You can buy aquarium water conditioner at pet stores or online.

When adding aquarium water conditioner to tap water, you need to follow these steps:

1. Pour tap water into the aquarium or a large container.
2. Measure the amount of water with a ruler or measuring cup.
3. Read the instructions on the water conditioner packaging to determine the appropriate dosage for your amount of water. Each type of water conditioner has a different dosage, so you should not rely on a general rule.
4. Add the water conditioner to the tap water according to the calculated dosage. You can use a teaspoon or a syringe to measure the conditioner.
5. Stir the water thoroughly to evenly disperse the water conditioner.
6. Wait about 15 minutes for the water conditioner to work.
7. Recheck the pH, hardness, and conductivity of the water to ensure it meets the requirements of betta fish. You can use water testing kits for this.
8. If necessary, you can adjust the water parameters by adding other conditioners, such as salt, calcium, magnesium, or beneficial microorganisms.
9. Once the tap water has been treated, you can introduce your betta fish into the tank.

Note: You should not use distilled water or filtered water for your betta fish tank, as they lack the natural minerals essential for the fish's health. These minerals help maintain ion and electrolyte balance in the fish's blood and prevent skin, gill, and fin problems. If you do not have a safe tap water source, you can use rainwater or well water, but you must also treat them before introducing the fish.

Question 6: How to properly mix water for Betta fish?

The most suitable pH for betta fish is between 6.5-7.5. This is one of the determining factors for the fish's health and color. The pH of betta fish tank water can change over time due to many reasons, such as food, fish waste, water changes, or decorative materials in the tank. Therefore, you need to regularly check the pH in the water using simple and effective methods.

A common way to check pH is to use litmus paper or an electronic meter. You just need to dip the litmus paper into the tank water and compare the color with the color chart to determine the pH. Or you can use an electronic meter for more accurate results. You should check the pH at least once a week to monitor changes in the water.

If the pH of your Betta fish tank water is not within the ideal range, you can adjust it in the following ways:

• Increase pH: You can aerate the tank to increase the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water, thereby increasing the pH. You can also add alkaline materials to the tank, such as limestone, coral, or alkaline decorative rocks.
• Decrease pH: You can add acidic materials to the tank, such as bogwood, dried leaves, or activated charcoal. You can also replace a portion of the tank water with rainwater or filtered water that has a lower pH.

You should adjust the pH slowly and gradually to avoid shocking your betta fish. You can also look for pH increasing/decreasing products for aquariums at pet stores or online.

Question 7: Betta care tips for beginners.

Step 1: To care for Betta fish optimally, you need to pay attention to the water temperature in the tank.

Water temperature directly affects the health and development of the fish. You should maintain the water temperature between 24-27 degrees C and avoid excessive temperature fluctuations. If the water temperature is too high or too low, betta fish can become stressed, weakened, sick, or die.

Some factors that can change the water temperature in the tank are the tank's placement, sunlight, climate, and season. You should place the fish tank in a cool place, away from direct sunlight and other heat sources. You should also use a thermometer to check the water temperature regularly and adjust it when necessary.

In cold climates, you may need to use a heater to keep the fish tank warm. A heater helps maintain a stable temperature and prevents sudden changes. You should choose a heater suitable for the tank's volume and monitor its performance. You should also turn off the heater when not needed to save energy and protect the environment.

Step 2: To best care for Betta fish, you need to pay attention to some important aspects of their tank.

First, you must ensure that the fish tank is covered and not exposed to sunlight. Betta fish are known for their jumping ability, so if the tank is not covered, they can escape and die from drying out. Second, you need to place the fish tank in a location with a moderate temperature and away from direct sunlight.

The temperature in the fish tank should fluctuate between 24 and 28 degrees C and should not change too rapidly. If direct sunlight shines on the fish tank for too long, the temperature in the tank will rise excessively, causing stress to the betta fish. You should place the fish tank in areas such as a desk or bookshelf, as long as there is no direct sunlight.

Step 3: Feeding Betta fish floating pellets once a day is the best way to keep them healthy and vibrant.

Betta fish are very sensitive and need adequate nutrition to maintain vitality and color. Floating pellets for betta fish contain essential protein, vitamins, and minerals for the fish's growth. You should feed the fish pellets in the morning and evening, and only feed an amount that the fish can finish within 2 minutes.

If you overfeed the fish, leftover food will pollute the water and cause diseases. You should not believe the misconception that betta fish can survive by eating plant roots in the tank, as this will lead to malnutrition and weakness. You can buy betta fish pellets at pet stores or online.

Question 8: How to properly clean a fish tank.

Step 1: Change a portion of the water once a week, about 10-20% of the total water volume in the tank.

Water changes are crucial for betta fish care. Without regular water changes, betta fish can suffer from poisoning due to dirty and polluted water. You should change a portion of the water once a week, about 10-20% of the tank's water volume. The new water must be thoroughly treated to remove chlorine and other harmful substances. When changing water, you should also siphon out waste and debris from the bottom of the tank. This helps reduce the amount of ammonia and nitrite in the water, creating optimal conditions for healthy betta fish development.

Step 2: To minimize the risk of toxin exposure, you should change all the water in your Betta fish tank once a month.

Here's how to do it:

1. Use a large scoop or net to gently remove the betta fish from the tank and place it in a container of pre-treated water.
2. Drain all the water from the tank and thoroughly clean any stains, algae, or fish waste clinging to the sides and bottom of the tank.
3. Pour treated water into the tank until it's full and allow the water to stabilize in temperature for about 15 minutes.
4. Release the betta fish back into the tank and observe for any unusual signs.

Changing all the water in the fish tank will help maintain a good living environment for betta fish and prevent diseases caused by toxins.

Question 9: Do Betta fish need a filter?

No, keeping betta fish in an unfiltered glass bowl is a very bad idea. Betta fish need a clean and airy water environment to live healthily. If you keep fish in an unfiltered glass bowl, toxins will accumulate in the water and poison the fish. You will also have to change the water frequently to reduce toxins, but this will stress the fish.

Besides, a small glass bowl will not provide enough space for betta fish to play and exercise. Betta fish are very active and love to explore. If you want to keep fish in a glass bowl, you should choose a bowl with a capacity of at least 10 liters and equip it with a water filter to maintain the best water quality for the fish.

Author: Aaron Bernard. Translator: Margaret N.

Source: Wikihow. Copyright belongs to: Kallos Vietnam.

About the author Aaron Bernard

Aaron Bernard is an aquarium expert and owner of Limited Edition Corals in Phoenix, Arizona. With over ten years of experience, Aaron specializes in aquarium maintenance, cleaning, custom design, fabrication, installation, relocation, decoration, and providing aquarium parts. Aaron holds a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from Arizona State University, where he researched the effects of climate change on coral reefs and began breeding his own corals.