I have a betta fish in my office.
His name is Hachi, and he’s been living with me for over ten years now.
I love him so much!
He has such a personality, and it’s so fun watching him swim around the tank all day long, exploring his little world.
But recently noticed that his fins were looking sad and floppy–almost as if they were falling apart or something.
I had no idea why this was happening to my beloved pet until my friend pointed out that he might be getting bullied by other fish in the tank because of how small he is (he doesn’t even reach an inch!).
Betta fish are beautiful and can be great pets
Beautiful fish!
I think it’s hard for people to believe that other fish can bully a fish, but the sad truth that your betta might get bullied and need extra protection is a good reason to give them the extra space they need to make friends with their tank mates.
Bettas are tropical fish and need to be kept somewhere between 72 degrees F and 86 degrees F.
As a general rule, you shouldn’t keep them in the tank with any other fish.
Some folks have had success keeping them with goldfish, but I wouldn’t recommend doing that.
I’d stick to just the one betta in a tank – for their sake.
If you can’t provide them with proper living conditions, then please don’t even get a betta as a pet!
Male bettas are very territorial and can get vicious to their kind.
Hachi was born in a tank of about 100 other bettas–all of them male.
So, as a result, he’s been dealing with this bullying ever since I brought him into my office.
I guess he’s used to it, but he still looks so sad and weak.
If you keep a betta fish as a pet, please try to keep him in his tank.
He’ll appreciate the quiet.
So if you happen to run into one of these fish in the wild, please do him a favour and leave him alone.
You need to provide a bigger home for your betta.
Your betta fish is sad because he’s lonely.
And what can happen to him if you don’t keep a good home for him?
Poor betta!
I don’t want to imagine my sweet Hachi looking like that.
He’s at risk of developing dropsy, a terrifying and painful condition that can lead to death if not treated quickly.
I don’t even want to think about that.
So please, consider getting a bigger tank for your betta companion.
If you can’t afford anything else, please at least try to provide at least a 2.5-gallon tank for your fish.
It’ll make him so much happier and healthier in the long run, I promise.
There are many different types of homes you can offer your pet, including bowls, cups, or jars.
I know that most bowls are too small for them, but if you have a bigger jar or cup, then go ahead and put some decorative rocks inside.
A betta doesn’t need a filter or anything else in the tank – just clean water will do.
Would you mind not polluting his home with chemicals
He’s just a little guy!
Try to use tap water and change it every 2-3 days.
You can also put some plants inside the tank, but only plastic ones – no live or fake plants.
I’ve heard that if you have a real plant in your betta tank, then your fish will eat all of the leaves and even the stem.
It’s best to avoid that, so please stick with plastic plants or live ones that won’t die when your betta chews on them!
If you don’t keep a proper environment for your fish, then you might end up looking at this image:
SAD!
I don’t want to see my betta fish like that, do you?
Do you want to make your betta healthier and happier?
I hope so! Here are some tips for a happy betta fish
~ Make sure there’s always enough water in your tank.
~ Change the water every 2-3 days or sooner if it gets dirty.
~ The water should be around 72-86 degrees F.
~ Don’t feed your betta more than once or twice per day.
~ You can feed them freeze dried bloodworms, brine shrimp, spinach (ugh), and even pellets that you get at the grocery store if you’re feeling lazy and don’t want to go out of your way.
~ Once a day, take the water that you just changed and pour it into another bucket.
Then, put about a quarter cup of aquarium salt in it and swish it around until it dissolves completely.
Some people also choose to keep their fish in an aquarium with other exotic fish.
However, it is important to note that betta differs from other types of tropical fish in two ways.
First, they are air breathers, whereas the others are water breathers.
In addition, bettas can survive with low oxygen levels than most species.
This is why they can be kept in small containers or bowls as long as sufficient aeration is provided in the water, which causes the fish to become lazy and less colourful.
Bettas are also one of the few fish that can live outside of water.
Instead, they breathe oxygen from the air through a special gill structure called a labyrinth organ, which allows them to survive temporarily out of the water if necessary.
This adaptation allows pet owners to keep their aquariums in more convenient locations without worrying about over-watering.
The most important thing is that you provide ample space for your betta so they’re comfortable.
That means keeping them in a big 5 gallon or more aquarium with lots of decorations to keep your betta occupied!
They’ll be much happier and healthier that way.
You can order an aquaponic fish tank kit online pretty cheaply if you don’t want to make one yourself.
And, here are some tips for taking care of your betta
~ Don’t use soap to clean the aquarium–it’s hard on their gills!
~ Rinse everything with warm water.
~ Take out any uneaten food in the tank–because it will rot and pollute the water.
~ Feed only a pinch of food each time, not a whole bunch every once in a while.
~ Don’t forget to give your betta their medicine!
~ Again, don’t overfeed!
Betta food: Freeze dried bloodworms, brine shrimp, spinach or pellets that you get at the grocery store if you’re feeling lazy and don’t want to go out of your way.
A few more things include providing good food and clean water every day, as well as giving them time out of the tank to swim around occasionally.
Additionally, you should provide enrichment opportunities for your fish, which means letting them breed or keeping interesting objects in the tank to keep them entertained.
Bettas are completely fascinating fish to keep and care for.
Just make sure you can commit the time and energy to keep them alive, happy and healthy!
Frequently Asked question from our readers
How will I know the signs when she is pregnant?
Actual signs of pregnancy do not occur when it comes to bettas.
The only way to tell if a female betta is pregnant is by checking her belly once she lays the eggs and comparing the size with previous times you have checked her belly.
Why?
Because females do not show any outward physical changes that would let you know they are pregnant, unlike humans.
How long before the female betta lays her eggs?
Females will lay their eggs around 10 to 15 days after they have been fertilized.
This depends on how healthy and well kept the fish is, how good of care there’s been for it, and depends on what other tank mates are present in the tank.
Is 2.5 gallons enough for a betta?
In most cases, it is.
That said, if you take into account that bettas need to be provided with a larger environment than the size of the fish, then 2.5 gallons is not enough for a betta.
We do recommend, however, that you get at least 5 gallons tank.
How to move a betta fish long distance?
How to transport your fish
Betta fish are considered tropical fish.
So, you will need to know the following:
-You need to keep the betta fish in an airtight container.
-You will need to provide water that meets the temperature requirements of your betta fish.
-You must provide enough oxygen to the fish for it not to get suffocated.
-The water should be clean and cleaned at least once a week.
-You should ensure the water is treated well-using chemicals for bacterial growth, and not use tap water as it contains chlorine and other harmful
How long do betta fish stay pregnant?
This is a common question that many new bettas owners ask.
Betta fish are considered to be short term breeders in most areas.
Their gestation period is short, and they only lay two to four eggs.
The spawning time lasts for approximately 24 hours, with an average of 300-400 eggs laid.
Why betta fish are considered short term breeders is because the eggs will hatch within 24 hours and die quickly afterwards.
This happens because the pectors near their stomachs are not fully developed, making it difficult for them to survive.
The female betta fish will lay her eggs after several minutes of spawning, and the whole process can take about 24 hours.
Conclusion
Betta fish are beautiful and can be great pets.
If you’re thinking of getting a betta, make sure to provide them with enough space for their needs.
They will not survive in cups or jars!
There are many different types of homes you can offer your pet, including bowls, cups, or jars.
Some people also choose to keep their fish in an aquarium with other exotic fish.
The most important thing is that you provide ample space for your betta, so they’re comfortable. They need time out of the tank to swim around occasionally too.
Just like any animal would want some fresh air from time to time!
A few more things include providing good food and clean water every day, as well as giving them time out of the tank to swim around occasionally.
