How to Properly House a Betta

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

tank, vase, or bowl of at least 2.5 gallons
a heater rated for the size of tank, bowl, or vase you choose
gravel or sand
decor
thermometer

Step 1

Do your research! I cannot stress this enough, no matter what the pet may be, if it's a living thing always learn as much as you can about it before buying it to provide the best care. Things to look up are natural habitat (in the case of a betta it is a rice paddy, these are not puddles. Rice paddies are shallow, but vast. You'll also find the temperature in rice paddies is sub tropical and bot room temperature), healthy foods and treats, suitable tank mates, and lifespan.
It's important to know any pets needs and lifespan before buying it so you can judge if you can meet their needs and are willing to be committed for it's entire life.
Step 2

After researching, if you decide a betta is right your you, you'll need to decide what you'd like to house your betta in.
Many people like bowls and vases for their aesthetic value, however most are not very suitable. If you like the idea of a vase or bowl you'll need to look for one that is at least 2.5 gallons and has a wide enough opening for a net. Also understand that anything without a filter will need full water changes (probably about twice a month for 2.5gallons). If you are not willing to do full water changes twice a month a vase or bowl is not the right choice for you.
If you'd like something less high maintenance you'll want a tank. Tanks have filters which eliminate the need for full water changes. Anything 2.5gallons or larger will work.
Some things to consider when choosing the size of your betta home are whether you want tank mates (bettas will need 2gallons to themselves for their territory plus whatever the needs of the additional fish are, I don't recommend other fish in anything under 5gallons), how much space you have, how much and what type of decor you want.
Step 3

Once you'd picked a tank, bowl, or vase you'll need accessories.
You'll need a thermometer and a heater for the size of home you choose (7.5watts are suitable for 2.5gallons to 3gallons, 4-7gallons you'll want a 25watt heater, and 7-10gallons will call for a 50watt heater). Heaters are very important in a healthy betta as they are tropical fish.
You'll also need substrate, either gravel or sand. If you want live plant you'll want sand, there are many type varying in price, but the cheapest option is sand from a hardware store, just make sure it is safe for children or pets or it might have harmful chemicals on it! If you'd rather have fake plants gravel is fine. Again there are many types, any will do as long as it's not really rough and jagged.
Lastly you'll need decor, bettas natural habitats are heavily planted so they like hiding spots. Choose decor that isn't rough or jagged. Avoid plastic plants, instead use silk.

Other things you may need or want are; a filter if your tank did not come with one, aquarium salt which can help prevent illness, a net, water conditioner, medications just in case.
Step 4

After you've purchased everything you can begin set up! You'll first want to rinse off everything in case of dust, dirt, chemical, or anything else that may have gotten on anything. If you chose sand you'll need to rinse it until the water runs clear.
Once everything has been rinsed off you can fill the tank, condition the water and set up the decor however you want. Turn on the filter (if there is one) and the heater, monitor for a day to make sure both work properly and also to make sure the temperature will remain steady. You'll want a temperature around 78F to 82F.
Step 5

Once you're tank is all ready and in working order you can purchase your fish! Be sure to acclimate properly, this means floating the fish in a bag of its water in the tank to sloely even out the temperature. Also it's a good idea to slowly add a bit of tank water to the bag to slowly even out an water parameter differences. After this use the net you purchased to scoop the fish out of the bag and into the tank, do not pour any of the water the fish came in into the tank, it may carry diseases!
Step 6

Enjoy your healthy, happy betta! I well cared for betta will be more vibrant and active and should live for 3-5 years.

Comments

scooter181 said

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on 5/16/2009 bettas don't need 2.5 gallons of water, but it's a good option

on 9/25/2008 If using a vase, the water level should only be to the widest point of the vase, and still have 2-3 gallons for the betta to swim in. Shallow is better than tall. For this reason a 2.5 USG bowl is better than a vase. Temp still needs be kept in high 70s to low 80's, so it would be difficult to place a heater in either of these. Solution? Keep room temp at this range. (Yeah, right. Who wants to do that?)
Enjoy!