The Truth

This week, let me start off by explaining why Bettas are one of the most commonly misunderstood fish in existence.

The Truth: About Tank-Sizes

(Photo provided by: bettatalk.com)

            Have you ever gone into a local pet shop and seen those pathetic-looking fish stored separately in small cups? These are Bettas. When people see these small cups, they assume this is an adequate amount of living-space for the Betta. This is wrong…so very WRONG! Here are a few photos of conditions that are not appropriate for Bettas:

(Photo provided by: bettatalk.com)

            Vase: The Betta vase has become an extremely popular method of keeping Bettas. People assume that they can stick a plant over the top and the Betta can snack on its roots. This is wrong in so many ways. First of all, the Betta has no way of getting to the surface of the water, due to the plant. Also, there is not enough surface area in the vase for proper gas exchange. Gas exchange is the releasing of carbon dioxide and the absorption of oxygen. The Betta also cannot handle the bio-waste from the plant, which holds a lot of bacteria, and also the bio-load (waste) that the Betta itself will produce. This Betta will eventually die of carbon dioxide poisoning, or a bacterial disease.

(Photo provided by: sengook.com)

            Bowl: No matter the style, bowls are not suitable for any type of fish! Generally, you will see Bettas kept in wall-hung Betta bowls. Bowls, just like the vase, do not provide enough surface area for proper gas exchange.

(Photo provided by: fishtanksdirect.com)

            Betta Cube: Betta cubes also do not provide the Betta wish enough surface area for proper gas exchange. These cubes are also much too small for the betta to swim.

(Photo provided by: bettafish.com)

            Critter Keepers: Critter Keepers are commonly found in pet stores and come in extremely small sizes; ranging from 1/3 of a gallon to about 3 gallons.

Now, let’s look at a proper environment for the Betta.

(Photo provided by: bettatalk.com)

            A single male Betta will need a tank between 5-10 gallons; 5 gallons being the bare minimum. A sorority of three females would do well in a 10 gallon tank. Bettas also need a heater with a built in thermostat, and a filter that does not produce a strong current. Due to the enhancement of the Betta’s fins, they cannot handle strong currents.  Bettas also need a good substrate, small or medium grained. Live plants also help oxygenate the water and control waste/ammonia levels. My favorite plant to use in my Betta tanks is the Marimo Moss Ball. Marimo Moss Balls compete with algae growth, usually suffocating it before it has a chance to cling to any surface of your tank. I have four of these in each of my Betta tanks, and the Bettas absolutely love to rub against them and sleep on them. We’ll discuss aquatic plants later on for your Betta.

The Truth: About Betta Isolation

(My betta girls, starting from the left: Piper, Prue, and Phoebe)

These fish have to be kept individually in those small cups; not because they are naturally vicious, not because they will fight to the death, and definitely not because it is in their nature to fight. The truth is Bettas are territorial. However, if two males have never been separated as fry (babies) they would be able to live together peacefully through adulthood. Females, on the other hand, are able to live together in sororities of three or more; regardless if they are related or not. Females will establish a pecking-order, chasing one another and nipping each other. Once the pecking order has been established, this behavior stops.

 

*This week, I used personal experience, alone, as my reference. For the next couple of weeks, I will be addressing proper tank set-up and maintenance. This is “key” to your Betta’s health and it is also an extensive area that I really want to cover thoroughly. Again, I hope you enjoyed this week’s posting!*