Since the betta fish is capable of living in many different environments, people believe it is a good idea to keep it in decorative bowls or vases. In reality, this animal needs a lot of space and filtered water to feel good. When setting up an aquarium, always take the health and happiness of the fish into consideration. Do not forget the golden rule for betta fish: never place two males in the same tank or they will fight to the death.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Tub and Accessories
Step 1. Get a tank large enough for the betta fish
You may have seen specimens confined to small plastic bowls at the pet store, but know that they actually need a lot of space to thrive. If you want a happy and healthy betta, buy a large glass or clear acrylic aquarium with a minimum capacity of 20L. Furthermore, these animals are able to jump out of the water, so make sure that the aquarium model also has a lid. By doing so, you guarantee the betta plenty of space to swim and the water will not become contaminated too quickly, as it happens in small aquariums.
- It is possible to keep betta fish in smaller aquariums but absolutely no bowls! No fish should be kept in a bowl. Space is limited and especially for fish of this species, it is absolutely not recommended! The Betta fish is in fact equipped with an organ (labyrinth) that allows the specimens to breathe atmospheric air! You must also change the water and clean the container at least once a week. If you have decided to put your specimen in a smaller tank, choose one that is at least 10 liters; any smaller container increases the likelihood that the animal will get sick.
- Bettas do not share their space with others of the same species. This rule does not apply to females who can coexist peacefully.
Step 2. Purchase a gentle filter
Betta fish, in nature, live in streams with a light current. Their long, delicate fins have a hard time countering overly violent flows, so it is important to choose a filtration system that is specifically classified as "delicate" or a model with different adjustments. Buy a filter that is suitable for the size of the aquarium.
- If your filter is generating too strong a current, you can dampen its effects with plants. However, it is always better to buy a delicate model, so that the fish does not waste energy fighting against the current.
- Bettas can survive even in unfiltered water, but you have to clean the tank very often to eliminate uneaten food and excrement. If you let the aquarium become cloudy, the environment will be unhealthy for the animal.
Step 3. Also take a heater to regulate the water temperature
Bettas are tropical fish and do best in waters with a temperature between 23 and 29 ° C. Choose a model with a thermostat, so you can always monitor the level of heat inside the aquarium.
- If you live in a region where it is warm enough to maintain the right temperature even in the aquarium, you do not need a heater; however, it is vital to make sure it never drops below 23 ° C.
- If you have chosen to use an aquarium with a capacity of less than 20 liters, the use of the heater could be dangerous, since there is a risk of overheating the water. This is another great reason to buy a tank large enough for your fish.
Step 4. Get some gravel as a substrate
This is a very important element for the aquarium environment. The beneficial bacteria, in fact, grow on it and help break down organic waste. Purchase fine-grained gravel instead of coarse gravel. Food leftovers and dirt get stuck among the large stones and could alter the health of the tank.
- If you have decided to place live plants as well, you will need a 5 cm layer of gravel so that they can take root. If, on the other hand, you use fake plants, 2.5 cm of substrate will suffice. Live plants are highly recommended as they can only benefit the fish.
- Choose gravel in natural colors such as various shades of brown or use sand. The very bright colors such as pink and orange make the environment unrealistic for the betta fish.
Step 5. Get the plants and other decorations
Live plants guarantee a natural environment for the animal. If you want to insert them, choose those varieties that grow well in the conditions in which you will set up the aquarium, that is, take into account the temperature, the current and the type of substrate.
- Remember that the gravel layer must be at least 5cm thick to support live plants. Limpophyla sessiflora, Echinodorus and Hygrophila for the bottom, Limnobium and Salvinia as floats, are all quite simple plants to grow.
- If you prefer to use fake plants, then make sure they don't have sharp edges. The betta's long, fragile fins can be injured if they come into contact with them while swimming.
- Choose decorations that will make the fish happy. Castles and other buildings that allow him to hide are the most common objects. Always check that they have no sharp edges.
Part 2 of 3: Setting up the Aquarium
Step 1. Place the aquarium in a safe place in the house
Choose a corner near the window but not exposed to direct sunlight. The aquarium must be placed on a very stable surface that does not run the risk of overturning. Finally, if you have other pets, you should think about putting the aquarium in a room where they do not have access.
- It is recommended that you purchase a specific aquarium stand that is designed to hold the weight of yours.
- Leave at least 12.5 cm of space between the aquarium wall and the wall in order to house the filter and the heater.
Step 2. Install the filter
Each model needs a different installation method. Check the manufacturer's instructions to properly mount the one you purchased.
- If you have an externally powered filter, place it in the back of the tank. The aquarium lid should have an opening to make installation easier. Wait until the tub is full of water before turning on the filter.
- If you have purchased a model that filters from under the gravel, then first you need to put its plate, making sure that the pipes are well fitted. Do not start it until you have filled the aquarium with water.
Step 3. Add the gravel
Wash it carefully under cold running water (do not use soap) to eliminate traces of dust that can clog the filter. Create a layer of 2.5-7.5 cm on the bottom of the aquarium, pour the gravel gently by sliding it along the rear wall of the tank. Place a clean plate on the substrate and pour the water. Continue pouring until the aquarium is full for one third of its capacity.
- While pouring the water, check that there are no leaks from the structure. If you notice any leaks, it is essential to repair the damage before continuing to add water.
- Remove the plate when you have finished pouring it.
Step 4. Arrange the decorations and plants
If you have chosen live ones, make sure the roots are well buried under the surface of the substrate. Place them so that the highest ones are in the back of the aquarium and the lowest ones in the foreground. This way you can better admire the betta.
- Make sure all decorations are properly anchored to the gravel so they don't come off.
- When you have completely filled the aquarium, you should avoid putting your hands inside the water again, so make sure you have arranged the plants and decorations definitively.
Step 5. Fill the tank completely and start the filter
Add as much water as necessary to fill the aquarium up to 2.5 cm from the top edge, then plug in the filter socket and start it to check that it works properly. Check that the water circulation is constant, delicate and silent. Adjust the settings if you have the impression that the turbulence is excessive.
Step 6. Install a heater inside the aquarium
Most of these elements connect to the inside wall of the tank with suction cups. Place the heater near the filter outlet to make sure the water heats up evenly. Connect it to the power outlet and turn it on, do not forget to also put a thermometer to check the action of the heater and the heat present in the aquatic environment.
- Set the heater so that the temperature reaches 25-26 ° C.
- If your aquarium is equipped with lighting, turn it on to check if it affects the water temperature. If you have the impression that it overheats it, you will need to get a better light bulb before inserting the betta fish.
Step 7. Add a neutralizer to the water
It is a dechlorinator product that removes the chlorine present in the water. It is essential if you use the tap water that contains chlorine. Follow the instructions on the package to find out how much neutralizer to add based on the volume of aquarium water.
- If you use distilled water, know that it does not contain chlorine and you can skip this step.
- You can also add a dose of bacterial activator (such as SafeStart) that helps keep the aquarium environment healthy.
Step 8. Start the aquarium without fish
Performing "empty" cycles allows the population of beneficial bacteria to grow inside the tank. If you don't do this, the betta could go into a "shock" and die, so don't be superficial. Read this article to learn exactly how to start a vacuum cycle and meet the needs of the betta fish. You will need to use a water chemical test kit and check the pH, ammonia content and nitrates, so as to be sure that the environment is safe for the animal.
- The ideal pH is 7 or lower and there should be no ammonia and nitrates before adding the fish.
- It may be necessary to use a specific product to reduce the ammonia level.
Part 3 of 3: Enter the Betta Fish
Step 1. Buy a betta fish
It is better not to get the animal until the aquarium is set up, no vacuum cycles have been made and it is not ready. In this way you will facilitate the animal's adaptation to the new home by making this period as short as possible. Go to the pet shop and choose the pet you prefer. Remember that this fish needs its own individual aquarium, even if it is a female.
- Look for a healthy fish that has bright body colors and undamaged fins (not to be confused with the crowntail variety).
- If you have the impression that you are floating aimlessly, it could be sick. Choose an animal that swims briskly.
Step 2. Gradually insert the fish into the aquarium
Keep the bag containing the betta in the water for an hour. Leave the bag closed so that the water inside it slowly becomes the same temperature as that of the aquarium. This operation avoids a thermal shock to the fish. After about an hour, the time has come to release the betta. Open the bag and let your new friend swim freely in the tub. From this moment on, you must take care of the animal as follows:
- Feed him once a day. Provide betta-specific food from time to time, but prefer frozen or live food.
- Do not overfeed it, otherwise the aquarium will become contaminated with leftovers of old food and waste.
Step 3. Change the water in the tub when necessary
If you have an aquarium equipped with a filtration system, you need to change about 20% of the water every week to ensure the best hygienic conditions. If, on the other hand, you have a bowl without a filter, you have to change 50% of the water to ensure that the environment is clean enough for the fish. Here's how to change the water:
- Prepare the amount of new water by filling a clean container the day before; in this way the water reaches room temperature during the night. Remember to add a softener if you use tap water. The distilled one is just as good.
- Suck up the water from the aquarium and pour it into a clean bowl. Capture the betta with a net and temporarily transfer it to the old water.
- Continue to suck in the rest of the water you want to change, based on the size of the aquarium.
- Pour in the new water. Remember to also add a little to the bowl where the betta is at this moment, so the animal gets used to it.
- After a few hours, put the fish back in the aquarium.
Step 4. Clean the tub regularly
The cleaning technique you decide to use depends on the size of the aquarium. Those with a filter should be sanitized once every two weeks, while those without it should be cleaned every week. Use a vacuum to clean the gravel and remove bits of food and dirt. Also use it for internal walls to clean glass or acrylic. Vigorously scrub any decorations that have deposited residue and debris on them.
- You should do all this every time you add new water to the aquarium or at a lower frequency if you have installed a filter system.
- Use common sense to determine if a thorough cleaning is necessary; if you see that the aquarium is in bad condition, then it's time to wash it, regardless of when you did it the last time.
- Check the pH, ammonia, nitrate levels and make the necessary changes.
Advice
- If you have live plants in the aquarium, guarantee them the right lighting.
- Remember to put the beneficial bacteria in the aquarium, because they kill the dangerous ones that can harm the fish.
- Even if cheap water softeners are available, rely only on products with proven efficacy and safety; buy them in pet stores, the ones you find at the discount store are not of good quality and can be harmful.
Warnings
- Be wary of the advice you get in the pet shop. Do your own research and / or subscribe to a forum dedicated to this fish.
- Don't put betta fish in a bowl or vase! These containers are not large enough to maintain the right temperature, have no filters and limit the movements of the animal.
- Do not place two males in the same aquarium as they will fight each other to the death. However, at times, it is possible to insert two or more females. A male could kill the female who did not mate with him.
