Skip to main content

Tips to maintain your Beta healthy and long living

 

Do you feel BETTAs are small, fragile and very sensitive to handle?

 

I don’t think so. When it comes to BETTA, I would say 

B          -           Brawling 

E          -           Endearing 

T          -           Tenacious 

A          -           Abiding 

s are really amazing fishes as I abbreviated.

Betta fish are very vibrant and colorful fishes and are easy peasy fish for beginners. These are the so-called “Siamese Fighting Fish”. Amongst Bettas, the Male fishes are much more attractive and colorful when compared to the Females. Male Bettas have considerable long Fins and Tails.

There are quite specific reasons for which one should buy a BETTA fish. Let me jot down.

  1.  Colorful and attractive
  2.  Very hard fish which can easily adapt to your tap water.
  3.  It needs no aeration as it comes to the surface to breathe.
  4.  It requires a very small setup.
  5.  Good breeder

Let me give some tips on how we can maintain the BETTA fish happy and healthy. So that it can live longer than you expect.

1. Appropriate aquarium setup


A clutter-free environment is essential, even in a betta fish tank. This paves way for the fish to be healthy and happy.

The species tends to live a minimalist life. They are fond of their space and freedom, so avoid crowding the tank by using a lot of plants, figurines, or mini castles. Keeping it undecorated would be very good.

When it comes to space, 3 gallons would be required for a single BETTA fish.

Also, let me discuss the factors to take into consideration for a proper aquarium.

§  Glass or acrylic tanks would be apt.

§  The gravel having water-absorbing properties would be good.

§  Blood worms & Dried Tubifex worms would be it's favorite.

§  Fish and water treatments.

 

2. Tank maintenance

 



The betta fish likes stagnant water and hence a simple filter which doesn’t make much waves would be preferable.

The next point is the optimal temperature between 75 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit would be very good. It should not be too cold or too hot.

As for the pH levels are concerned, anywhere between 6.8 and 7 would be better. It is better not to use tablets or additives to maintain the aquarium’s pH levels. Also, there are pH test kits for you to check the water once every week.

An important note that I would like to mention is that before placing items such as gravel, plastic plants, etc. in the tank; don’t forget to check whether these have any sharp edges. When left unnoticed it might slit your BETTAs fins/tails. Hurts your pet and your heart, be careful.

3. Betta health check

The next step is to take care of you Betta.
Note down the below checklist so that you can easily follow up.

§  Scales – they need to be smooth.

§  Colour – it should be clear and bright.

§  Quick movements – happy, healthy fish are fond of showing off.

§  Fins – without any slits or fungal infection.

 

Increasing the lifespan of a betta fish in captivity is not difficult if you keep a close eye on them. With bubbles forming on the water’s surface you can rest assured that your pet is happy and healthy.

4. Diet


These types of fish have a normal appetite. When you feed them nutritious frozen or fresh foods, they tend to grow fast. But that doesn’t mean that betta fish don’t enjoy tasty treats. These include small crustaceans, insects, and worms.

If you spot symptoms of constipation or body swelling, it means you need to stop feeding the fish for a few days. And when you start feeding again, provide just live food. This particular practice contributes to improving the condition of the fish.

Once your betta gets better, reduce the quantity of food to prevent all symptoms of constipation.

Let me tell you more about feeding betta fish. For them, small meals work just fine. But if that doesn’t fit your schedule, then feed the fish twice a day. But make sure that you provide enough food each time.

After feeding, eliminate the uneaten remnants from the aquarium. Otherwise, they might affect the health of the betta fish in the long run.

5. Look for unusual signs

 

Typically, betta fish likes to swim near the surface of every tank. At such times, if you find one floating, it means danger.

No matter how hard you try, dealing with an occasional sick or injured fish is inevitable. So, I’ve listed a few unusual behaviors of a sick fish.

§  Clamped fins.

§  Swimming in a bizarre pattern.

§  Reaching the top for air constantly.

§  Hiding a tad too much.

§  Scratching the body against tank accessories.

§  Trembling or shaking.

 

These symptoms are also associated with cotton wool disease, velvet, or ich. All the conditions require you to use over-the-counter medication that contains malachite green. You can add this along with aquarium salt to the betta fish tank.

If you are willing to keep your Betta fish in a communal tank, then please do read this article to know more about the communal fishes https://tropicalpets.blogspot.com/2019/02/fishes-for-beginners.html

So, I feel I would have clarified your doubts by now. And its time for you to get into action. Keep in mind the tips that I have shared.

Do you have any other valuable tips to add? If you come across any interesting stories of your Betta fish, please do leave a comment. Your comments and feedbacks are very much appreciated!

 

Until then….

Comments

Popular Posts

Indian Dog Breeds

Indian Dog breeds are known for its bravery and hunting capabilities. We could see various types of dog breeds all across India. These Indian breeds naturally have very strong immunity, and hence the maintenance cost is very low compared to the other country breeds.   Hounds: Hounds are basically the hunting dogs. These dogs were used in the ancient period to hunt the wild boars which ruin the farmlands. Even today these hunters are used to hunt the rabbits, bandicoots, mouse, and other animals. Some of the Indian Hounds are as follows,  1.Chippiparai This dog is a native breed of Tamilnadu. Chippiparai dogs are considered to be one of the best intelligent dog breeds of India. They tend to be shy and most likely to avoid crowds. These dogs are easy to train and to maintain. People who are doing farming business can have one to guard your farm. As far as the maintenance is considered, this breed needs a large area for running and walking exer...

Colorful Barbs for large community aquarium

Do you love a large aquarium? Think of Barbs…? There are many different species of barbs but some of them are better than others for the larger home aquarium.  One of the benefits of keeping a large aquarium over a small aquarium is, of course, the fact that you can stock your tank with more and bigger fish. Many aquarium hobbyists ascribe to the “one inch of fish per gallon” rule which, though it is a little outdated and oversimplified, is a good rule of thumb to start with. Larger aquariums can accommodate larger fish and, for tanks 30 gallons and larger, barbs are a great group of fish to choose from when stocking your tank. What Kind of Fish Are Barbs? The fish known as barbs belong to the family Cyprinidae which they share with a number of other popular aquarium fish including rasboras, danios, and certain species of shark. Barbs are largely divided over two genera –  Barbus  and  Puntius  – though there are some exceptions. These are a type of ray-...

Java Finch / Rice Finch

 Breeding Java Sparrows can be a rewarding experience for bird enthusiasts, as these vibrant and playful birds make great pets. Here are some important considerations to keep in mind if you are interested in breeding Java Sparrows: 1. Housing: Java Sparrows require a spacious cage or aviary with plenty of room to fly and play. Make sure to provide plenty of perches and toys to stimulate your birds mentally and physically. 2. Diet: A balanced diet is essential for the health and well-being of your Java Sparrows. Offer a mixture of seeds, fruits, vegetables, and occasional small amounts of eggs or cooked meat for protein. 3. Breeding Season: Java Sparrows typically breed from spring to summer, with females laying 2-6 eggs per clutch. Ensure that your birds have access to a suitable nesting box and materials for building a nest. 4. Compatibility: Java Sparrows are social birds and do best in pairs or small groups. Ensure that you have compatible birds, as aggressive birds can harm eac...