Buying a Betta: A Guide for the Novice

Have you been in the market for an aquatic pet? I have a suggestion for you. Buy a Betta! A Betta, or Siamese Fighting Fish, makes a great pet. They are easy to care for and full of personality.

Find your Betta

When you start shopping, you will find that Bettas are displayed at the pet shop in small bowls or capped cups. The reason is they are truly fighting fish and males will fight other males to the death. Bettas come in an assortment of colors and have long beautiful fins. The cost for a Betta ranges from $3-$5. Look for one that is lively and reacts when you approach or pick up his cup.

There may be females mixed in the bunch. The females are not as colorful and do not have long sprawling fins like the males. Females are docile and can easily live in communities of fish. Males must be separated or kept in a community of fish without any other male Bettas.

If you choose to put a male in a community, speak with a professional about your other fish to see if they are non-aggressive. If you place an aggressive fish in a community of other aggressive fish you're looking for trouble.

Choosing a habitat

Bettas can live in large goldfish bowls or aquariums. If you choose to keep your Betta in a bowl ensure that you select one that is at least two gallons and tall. You will need gravel. Pick what suits you; but over time painted gravel wears poorly.

If you prefer a bowl, the water needs to be changed weekly. You will need a small net to catch your Betta with. Also temporary housing during cleaning, for this you can use the cup he came in.

As male Bettas mature they build 'nests' for eggs, the males raise and care for the roe. The nest looks like a milky film on the surface of the water. The Betta doesn't mind it, but you will.

Purchase a good water conditioner. Stress Coat works well. Follow the manufacturer's directions for the amount of water in your habitat.

If you don't want to deal with weekly water changes, or nests, a small aquarium is your best bet. There are very nice small acrylic aquarium kits available; they come with just about all you need to set up. These kits start at about $20 and go from there. With an aquarium you can get away with bi-monthly, sometimes longer, water changes depending on your filtration.

There is a 2-½ gallon hexagon acrylic on the market that can go three months without cleaning. It filters using a stone bubbling system. Some how the stone draws the water through the rocks using air. The rocks act as the filter and trap any debris. The Water stays clean. Plus, you never have to buy filters for it.

You will not need a heater for your aquarium or bowl if you keep your Betta in a temperature controlled environment. Make certain that the habitat is not in a drafty area and away from windows. Do not keep the tank in direct sunlight.

Cleaning the habitat

Fill your Betta cup with water from the bowl or aquarium. Catch your fish in the net. Take an aquarium brush and scrub all the walls, stirring up the gravel to free debris. Empty the water through a colander or something to keep the gravel from going down the drain. Rinse the gravel thoroughly and reassemble your habitat.

Fill the tank with fresh water that is about the same temperature as the water you removed. You can judge this by testing the water in the cup your Betta is waiting in with your finger. Add the recommended amount of water conditioner and let the water settle for a bit. Gently put your Betta back in his home.

Feeding your Betta

I have seen displays of Bettas trapped in clear glass vases with a plant root dangling in the water. This is cruel because Bettas are not vegetarians they are carnivorous. Also, Bettas are air breathers. How can an air breathing fish gain access to air if a plant is in the way?

We use Hikari Betta Bio Gold. Our Betta, Simon, seems to love it and he's been around for over 2 years. We have had Bettas live for an uncommon five years on that food. (The life span of a Betta is 2-3 years.) I highly recommend it! You should feed your Betta 3-6 pellets of food a day.

The Betta personality

Over time you will develop a relationship with your Betta. You will notice their quirks, likes, and dislikes. Simon loves to flare us. If you walk up to his tank he flares his branchiostegal membrane, his gills, at us. When we talk to him he swims up to the acrylic wall and seemingly listens.

I found that Bettas like to look at themselves in a mirror. They flare, swim away, go back and flare again. It's rather entertaining. I set up a mirror near Simon's tank so he could entertain himself and us.

Your shopping lists:

For a bowl

1. Betta (save cup for water changes)
2. 2 gallon or larger bowl
3. Gravel
4. Net
5. A brush for cleaning
6. Water conditioner
7. Food

For an aquarium

1. Betta (save cup for water changes)
2. Aquarium kit (read the box to see the contents)
3. Gravel (if it is not included in the kit)
4. Net
5. A brush for cleaning
6. Water conditioner
7. Food

Have fun and enjoy your new Betta!