A Complete Guide to Giving a Betta Fish as a Gift

Generally, it is said that pets are a very bad gift, especially around the holiday season. However, this does not always have to be the case. In fact, some pets actually make great gifts, if they are given with the proper information and to a responsible individual. One perfect example of this is the Betta fish. Betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, can make interesting and beautiful pets. However, it is important to realize some basic facts and learn some knowledge dabout the fish and what to give with it in order to make sure that the Betta has a healthy and long life, and the person receiving the fish gets the best gift possible.

The first thing to think about is actually picking out the Betta itself. Although any local business likely has a selection to choose from, try to avoid larger stores such as WalMart and K-Mart. Better fish can generally be found at a Petco, Petsmart or other related location. When choosing the Betta, make sure to look for a healthy fish. Look for a Betta which is lively, bright (a sure sign of health) and moves around in the small bowl.

After picking out your Betta, it becomes very important to get the other basics that are going to be needed. Giving a Betta without any accessories or a place to live is generally a sure fire way to make sure that the poor fish will spend it's entire life (however short that may be) in the small bowl he comes in.

Start browsing around the pet store and searching for a suitable home for your new fish friend. Although the Betta is generally a hearty fish, there are certain environments that will help to ensure that the Betta lives a happy and healthy life. While the recommended size for a Betta tank is around 5 gallons, and that is definitely the healthiest choice for the fish, some people say that the fish can live comfortably in any tank or bowl that is over 2 gallons. Once again, it is up to the individual and it is also determined by what type of environment that you want your fish to live in. More space means a happier Betta and less maintenance with water quality.

After purchasing the tank itself, there are a number of other questions that need to be considered. Namely, how much do you want to give, and how much do you want the future owner to provide? In short, what this means is that there are a lot of products that can help to prolong and enhance the life of the Betta fish, but which are not necessarily required to keep it as a pet. For example, Bettas will thrive in an environment that is heated to the proper temperatures, being that it is a tropical fish. However, there are many Bettas that live for a normal life span without a heated tank. Also, different types of vegetation can go a long way towards helping to filter the water and improve the overall quality of your tank.

Still though, one accessory that the Betta fish definitely should have is a tall plant. Unlike most fish, Bettas breathe atmospheric air, which means that they periodically surface to the top of the tank to breath. Therefore, the Betta will also sleep at the top of the tank. In order to make resting easier and more effective for the fish. A tall plant with larger leaves will allow the Betta a resting place near the top of the tank where it can easily breathe. Also, in giving the Betta, it is helpful to give food with it so that the new owner can begin immediately taking care of the Betta.

While there are a variety of foods that the Betta can eat, it is best to avoid flakes, as the Betta's mouth is not geared towards eating them. Instead, pellets or dried bloodworms are generally considered to the best food. However, the best possible option is to alternative the Betta's food slightly, or at least give it a variety. For this reason, it is a great idea to give more than one kind of food with the Betta. Remember though, it is very easy to overfeed the fish, and only a little bit of food a day (generally feed it twice, and no more than that) will be plenty for the small fish.

Unless the person you are giving the Betta to as a present has a decent amount of background knowledge regarding fish and taking care of them, the best possible present is a ten or fifteen dollar book that details Betta care. This will help the new owner get beyond the basics and provide the best life possible for their new fish.

Keeping a Betta can be a very rewarding experience. However, even though the Betta is only a small fish, it still requires responsibility and love to take care of. Remember that the Betta fish is a living thing, and should be given the respect and treatment that all living things deserve. However, when you give a Betta with the right knowledge and the right gifts alongside, you go a long way towards making sure that not only is the new owner delighted, but that the Betta itself will live a long and happy life.