Pets are both a hobby and a treasured family addition. And Betta fishes are among the most beloved fish, and it’s not difficult to understand why. They’re gorgeous species that come in an array of eye-catching colors and patterns. However, many people go to pet stores and bring home these beautiful creatures without fully understanding how to take care of a betta fish.
How To Take Care of a Betta Fish
The general consensus is that as the parent, you should be well-versed in all matters, including how to properly care for your pet. Caring for Betta fish isn’t hard; you just need to know what you’re doing. To learn more, keep reading.
Water
Keeping Bettas healthy and happy requires a commitment to maintaining a constant level of water quality and other environmental factors. If you don’t, they might experience an abrupt shift in temperature or chemical levels, which could put their health and immune system at risk or even be deadly.
Temperature
A temperature between 76- and 81-degrees Fahrenheit is the best for your Betta fish’s health. Avoid placing the fishbowl/tank near a window that receives a lot of sunlight or a heat/air-conditioning vent since this may cause the water temperature to fluctuate.
pH levels
The water’s hardness should be between 5 and 35 dGH, with a pH of 6 to 8 – very near neutrality. You can use a safe degree of dechlorination and ammonia removal to treat water. Nitrite concentrations should be zero ppm, and nitrate concentrations should not exceed 40 ppm.
Keep an eye on the water levels in your fishing bowl by using a test kit every few weeks. Only dechlorinated tap water or filtered water should be used to fill the fishbowl (conditioning).
Please remember to never use distilled water because it is devoid of essential minerals and vitamins.
Water Quality
Before introducing Betta fish to your fishbowl, make sure the water has gone through a full cycle and, preferably, use a water conditioner also. It’s also critical to have a dependable filtering system. A quarter of the bowl’s water should be replaced each week — never undertake a complete water replacement.
Cleaning the gravel/substrate and the bowl every two weeks is a wise move. You can clean the plants and other contents of the tank with a gentle scrape and a rinse of fresh water, but never use soap water. 50% of the bowl water can be drained off and replaced with fresh, filtered water.
What Should I Feed My Betta Fish?
Aside from their habitat, how else can you take care of a betta fish in a bowl? It’s through their nutrition! For Betta fish to thrive, they must eat a diet that is virtually entirely composed of animal protein.
If you’re going to feed your Betta pellets or flakes, be sure to include a wide selection of foods. You may offer your Betta frozen bloodworms, daphnia, or brine shrimp as a treat. Additionally, freeze-dried bloodworms and brine shrimp are okay, and your Betta will enjoy live food from time to time. Other tiny insects that are okay to give to your Betta include earthworms, mosquito larvae, and other similar creatures. Keep away from any insects you discover outside your house since you have no idea what poisons they may have been exposed to.
Despite their small size, Betta fish are unable to tell when they’ve had enough food. Because betta fishes are continuously searching for their next meal in the wild, it is up to you to supply them with the right quantity of food. Therefore, you should only feed your betta fish twice a day at most.
How Long Can A Betta Live in A Fishbowl?
Bettas housed in an optimal 2.5-gallon fish tank equipped with filtration and heating systems have been known to live up to five (5) years. However, they survive for less than half of their usual lifespan in a fishbowl and occasionally less than a year.
So, now you know how to take care of a betta fish in a bowl to facilitate a long lifespan. And if you must house your betta fish in a bowl, ensure that you maintain the fishbowl properly and consider relocating your Betta to a bigger tank once it reaches full maturity.
More Pet Resources
Bettas are endearing and lovable. There are several reasons to consider acquiring one as a pet. And as previously said, Bettas are really easy to take care of once you become acclimated to the process.
I believe this article has done justice to enlightening you on how to take care of a betta fish. Taking these Betta fish care guidelines to heart will ensure that you and your pet have a long and happy relationship.
Want more pet ideas? Check out this guide on how to train your new puppy!
