The Betta Experience

General Betta Care

~Tank size: 3g to 10g. 5g is best for 1 male betta as some males are anywhere from 2-3.5" big

~Temperature: 78-82* Higher temps help keep betta healthier than lower temps.

~pH: 6-6.8

~Feeding: 2-3 times a day a high protein pellet (4-5 pellets), and frozen food like Bloodworm, brine shrimp and other frozen food. A varied diet is great in keeping betta looking and feeling good. If the protein content in the food is 45% or higher it is best for the betta. Flakes are the last thing you should feed your betta, they make more waste and from my experience Betta don't like them as much as other food.

~Tank Maintenance:

First before adding a Betta to any tank cycle the tank for a month.

Here's an article explaining what cycling is: Cycling a fish Tank

-Monthly gravel vac and bi weekly water changes with 5g are fine. Using a water conditioner or aged water. Betta are not dirty fish especially since you can hand feed them. Too many water changes in a small tank is not good. The natural biological matter needs to form in the water so the water's chemistry is safe for the betta.

~Tank mates: Betta do best alone in a 3-5g, but some not many are ok with other fish. But only if there is no fin nipping by the betta or the other fish. For the most part I would avoid a community tan. I keep one of my betta in a 10g planted with a trio of otolinctus catfish. The do best with bottom feeders like otos, cory doras and small species of plecos like a Bristlenose who may not get bigger than 4".

The reason betta do better alone is they like to be the center of your attention, like a cat or a dog. Ever see a betta dance just for you