Betta Care Guide:

Disclaimer: This section is not a replacement for research. You must do research before purchasing a betta, this is just a start!

Tank Size: The very minimum tank size for a betta is 5 gallons, but I highly recommend a 10 gallon tank, especially for beginners. larger tanks are easier to cycle, clean, and maintain proper water parameters. You will find yourself doing less cleaning if you have a larger tank.

Filtration and Heating: Bettas like a very low flow in their tank, so I highly recommend a sponge filter since they have a low flow. If not, you can use a gentle hang on the back filter. I recommend one that is adjustable. Your Bettas tank temperature should be in between 78-82 degrees F. Anything colder will weaken your bettas immune system and they will be more likely to get sick. A 50 watt heater is perfect for a 5-10 gallon tank

Tank decor: stay away from plastic or sharp/spiky decor which can damage your bettas fins and lead to infection. I highly recommend live plants: They suck in toxic nitrites and provide a home for beneficial bacteria, but soft natural silk plants may be used too. Stick to a natural substrate, such as a fine gravel or sand. Bettas do not like bare tanks, so make sure that it is heavily planted with lots of hiding places.

Cycling your tank: Make sure that your tank is cycled before buying a fish! The nitrogen cycle is the process of beneficial bacteria breaking down unsafe compounds in your fish tank. Without you tank being cycled, those beneficial bacterias don’t exist, and the unsafe compounds will kill or harm your fish. There are many videos online on how to cycle a tank, and it is a very important thing in fish keeping.

Diet: Bettas are carnivores and need a high protein diet. Look for pellets that have at least 40-50% protein in them. Fish cannot thrive by just eating pellets though! Mix up your bettas diet by feeding frozen, live, or freeze dried foods like brine shrimp, bloodworms, daphnia, mysis, tubifex worms, and more!

Tank Maintenance: Do a water change on your bettas tank at least once a week. depending on your tank size, plants, water parameters, and fish, siphon out 10%-50% of the water weekly. Bettas are sensitive to chlorine so use a water conditioner when refilling your tank. Make sure that your water is the right temperature when refilling as well. Siphon out the bottom of the tank where all of the poop and leftover food is.

Water Parameters: Anything other than these can be extremely harmful for your betta. It’s important to test your water before adding fish.

• Ammonia: 0ppm

• Nitrite: 0ppm

• Nitrate: nothing more than 40ppm

• neutral ph around 7.

Lighting: bettas are low light fish, so make sure your light isn’t too bright or you may stress out your betta!

Lid: Lastly, bettas are fish that like to jump, so have a tight fitting lid to your tank.