How to Choose a Home for a Betta Fish

Figure out your budget., Go to the pet store! , Pick out the tank you had in mind., Don't forget to get a heater, substrate (sand/gravel), hiding places, plants, and gravel vacuum for your finned friend., After your tank has fully cycled, go get a...

13 Steps 2 min read Medium

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Figure out your budget.

    Do you have enough money for a 3 gallon (11.4 L) tank or a 15-gallon? Keep a heater, filter, lid, decorations, and other necessities in mind.
  2. Step 2: Go to the pet store!

    , Many betta fish experts say a 3 gallon (11.4 L) bowl/tank is the minimum, with 5 gallons being even better.

    The "one inch of fish per gallon" rule applies here.

    That means a 3 gallon is efficient for one adult betta.

    Please do not put your fish in a vase with a plant and expect it to eat the roots.

    Bettas are insectivores and will die of starvation. , A filter is a must! Although some people say bettas don't need filters, they keep the water cleaner and house most of the beneficial bacteria that will keep toxin levels lower.

    Go home and set up the tank.

    Now you're ready to cycle the tank! It takes two weeks to a month to get an aquarium ready for fish.

    Drop some fish food to create ammonia for the denitrifying bacteria to feed off of.

    Read up on the nitrogen cycle in home aquaria! , Betta fish can be as little as a dollar up to thirty dollars at the pet store. , Try to provide a variety of high-quality pellets, frozen, freeze-dried, and live foods.

    You may have to experiment- Some bettas are very picky! High-quality pellets have minimal meal ingredients and more whole ones.

    Omega One and New Life Spectrum are both good brands.

    Most bettas enjoy frozen bloodworms as a treat, though limit it to up to two days a week. , Don't just drop Mr.

    Fishy in his new home! Float the cup or bag in the water for twenty minutes and slowly add some of the tank water into it. , Tanks 10 gallon (37.9 L) and under should recieve a 25% water change every week.

    Aquariums 10 gallon (37.9 L) and larger can wait two weeks before requiring a partial water change.
  3. Step 3: Pick out the tank you had in mind.

  4. Step 4: Don't forget to get a heater

  5. Step 5: substrate (sand/gravel)

  6. Step 6: hiding places

  7. Step 7: plants

  8. Step 8: and gravel vacuum for your finned friend.

  9. Step 9: After your tank has fully cycled

  10. Step 10: go get a betta fish at the pet store!

  11. Step 11: Get some betta food while you're at it.

  12. Step 12: Acclimate your new fish to his tank!

  13. Step 13: Remember to change his water and feed him!

Detailed Guide

Do you have enough money for a 3 gallon (11.4 L) tank or a 15-gallon? Keep a heater, filter, lid, decorations, and other necessities in mind.

, Many betta fish experts say a 3 gallon (11.4 L) bowl/tank is the minimum, with 5 gallons being even better.

The "one inch of fish per gallon" rule applies here.

That means a 3 gallon is efficient for one adult betta.

Please do not put your fish in a vase with a plant and expect it to eat the roots.

Bettas are insectivores and will die of starvation. , A filter is a must! Although some people say bettas don't need filters, they keep the water cleaner and house most of the beneficial bacteria that will keep toxin levels lower.

Go home and set up the tank.

Now you're ready to cycle the tank! It takes two weeks to a month to get an aquarium ready for fish.

Drop some fish food to create ammonia for the denitrifying bacteria to feed off of.

Read up on the nitrogen cycle in home aquaria! , Betta fish can be as little as a dollar up to thirty dollars at the pet store. , Try to provide a variety of high-quality pellets, frozen, freeze-dried, and live foods.

You may have to experiment- Some bettas are very picky! High-quality pellets have minimal meal ingredients and more whole ones.

Omega One and New Life Spectrum are both good brands.

Most bettas enjoy frozen bloodworms as a treat, though limit it to up to two days a week. , Don't just drop Mr.

Fishy in his new home! Float the cup or bag in the water for twenty minutes and slowly add some of the tank water into it. , Tanks 10 gallon (37.9 L) and under should recieve a 25% water change every week.

Aquariums 10 gallon (37.9 L) and larger can wait two weeks before requiring a partial water change.

About the Author

K

Kimberly Jenkins

Committed to making pet care accessible and understandable for everyone.

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