Temperature and Water Quality
One key to a happy, healthy Betta is good water quality and the proper temperature. Tap water is usually treated with chlorine and can have other heavy metals which are harmful to a fish's gills and health.
Preparing the water for your Betta is important but not difficult. First, rinse everything that is going into the tank. Gravel, plants and decorations should be rinsed in cool water to prevent contamination and remove dust. Fill the bowl with bottled water (not distilled) or tap water and add a conditioner to make the water safe for your fish. Be sure that the water in your Betta's new home is at the appropriate temperature-ideally between 76 and 78°F.
Before introducing your fish to the bowl, the fish should be allowed to slowly acclimate to the temperature in the bowl. This can be done in a couple of ways. Place your Betta in a plastic bag with water from its cup and seal it closed. Allow the bag to float in the bowl for 15 to 20 minutes. Do not forget to release your Betta from the bag to the bowl as it will eventually run out of air. When you release your fish into its new habitat, it will most likely swim for a short time and then go to the bottom to rest. Your Betta probably will not eat right away and should be given some time to get used to its new environment- about three to six hours.
Maintaining proper water quality is very important to the health of your fish. Water quality is defined as the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water. The most important aspect of water quality for Bettas is ammonia, nitrite and nitrate content. There are a few ways to prevent unhealthy levels of any of these contaminants. Complete or partial water changes should be done on a weekly basis. Water changes can be done by siphoning some of the water out of the tank or bowl with a "gravel vacuum" or by emptying the entire bowl and refilling it. There are a couple of advantages to doing partial water changes. This method allows you to remove much of the waste and 30 to 40% of the water from the bowl and then replace it with fresh water (treated with a water conditioner) without having to re-acclimate your fish to its home. Partial water changes also allow much of the beneficial bacteria in the bowl to remain, which is very important for water quality.
Bettas are not very active fish and do not use a lot of energy so it is not necessary to feed them very much. Any uneaten food becomes waste and dirties the water faster. Overfeeding is a common mistake that can lead to poor water quality and the need for more frequent water changes. Although Bettas should not have much water movement, a couple types of filtration systems are acceptable. A small under gravel filter or sponge filter run by an air pump can help remove waste with slow water circulation.
Bettas are tropical fish native to Southeast Asia and should be kept in water temperatures between 74 and 80°F. Ideally the temperature should be kept between 76 and 78°F. In some cases, room temperature is sufficient and no heating element will be required. Use of a Zoo Med Bettatherm Heater (#76509) will help maintain proper temperatures for your Betta fish. Bowls should never be kept on a windowsill as this could cause the bowl to become too hot in the sun or too cold at night or on a cold day. Do not keep the bowl in direct sunlight as this will likely cause excess algae growth and can overheat your Betta. |