Almost everyone knows what Betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, It seems. They are very distinct thanks to their bright coloration and long, flowing purposes. You will find them in all the colors of the rainbow. Their beauty has made them one of the Most attractive types of fish maintained by aquarium hobbyists. However, they are not only impressive to look at. They are also very interesting pets with their sometimes amazing behavior and unique personalities.
Betta fish care is not difficult, once you learn to avoid a few things that could negatively affect the health and well-being of your little finned friend. Let me give you ten examples below:
1. It all starts with the ride home. If you bought your Betta from a pet store, don’t bring it home alone. It’s best to have someone in the car with you who can hold the betta and prevent it from experiencing bumps, sharp turns, or sudden stops. Also, never leave your Betta in the car for too long, especially if the outside temperatures are very hot or very cold.
two. Some pet stores advise against using gravel in an aquarium. That is an error for a betta fish tank. The substrate is where the beneficial bacteria grow and help break down the waste in the tank. It also adds beauty to your tank and allows you to secure rocks and plants to the bottom of your Betta’s house.
3. Do not overfeed your Betta. This is especially important early on, before your tank has produced enough beneficial bacteria. Remember: less food means less waste produced by the Betta. You may be surprised to learn that bettas can live up to ten days without eating.
Four. Never use soap or chemicals. to clean the tank or aquarium or any of the decorations. If there is algae buildup, you may need to do a little more than simple cleaning. A 15 minute soak in a 10% bleach solution will do the trick. But don’t soak them for more than 15 minutes.
5. Avoid plastic plants (unless they are brand new and very smooth to the touch) in your aquarium or anything containing metal that will eventually leach into the water and poison your Betta.
6. Do not leave the Betta tank uncovered. Bettas love to jump. You must prevent them from jumping out of the tank. When you cover the tank with a lid, make sure it has holes for ventilation. Another option is a mesh screen. This will protect the Betta not only from himself, but also from predators, such as his pet cat.
7.Tap water will kill your fish due to chlorine, chloramine and other chemicals. Use a dechlorinator (such as Stress Coat) and AmQuel. Never use distilled water, either, because it doesn’t have enough mineral content.
8. Do not clean the tank too thoroughly! You need the buildup of good bacteria for your Betta to stay healthy.
9. Be very careful with motorized filters. Contrary to the opinion of pet store personnel, bettas like very calm waters. Too much movement will stress your Betta. A sponge filter would be your best option. They are the quietest and also the least expensive.
10 Find out if your Betta will be happy alone. There are different theories on the subject of betta’s social needs. Many believe that Bettas are perfectly happy on their own, that they should be kept on their own. Other Clothes Bettas Need Stimulation and presence of other Bettas or Betta-friendly fish.
These contradictory beliefs seem to suggest that We really don’t know what is best for our Betta fish., but we may be projecting our own preferences onto them. Get to know your Betta, watch it, try different things and keep an open mind. They have different personalities and it could be that while one Betta is perfectly happy alone, another would thrive in good company.
If you want to create a community tank, learn about good tank mates for Betta fish. Be on the lookout for conflicting advice on that topic as well. Some simple guidelines that most seem to agree on are:
- Do not put two male Betta together unless you know their personalities well and you are a big tank.
- A male and a female also do not belong in the same tank, unless you are breeding them.
- Avoid placing Gouramis, Platy and Variatus with the Betta. They can become overly aggressive.
- Also avoid any fish that have long fins that your Betta might mistake for another Betta.
These are the most common mistakes you could make with your Bettas. Avoiding them and learning the simple principles of proper Betta fish care will help you keep your fish as long as they are truly meant to live.
-mischa
