Top Five Threats to Betta Fish Health and Safety
Betta Fish Threat - Improper Tank Size
The majority of betta fish are sold in pet stores or aquarists in small plastic cups. This, obviously, is not their natural habitat. In the wild, betta fish live in flooded rice paddies and resultant puddles and ponds. These areas are characterized by still, shallow water, but with plenty of room to swim around. A betta fish needs at least a one gallon tank to live in. If it will have tank mates - other fish or invertebrates - the tank should be larger.
Betta Fish Threat - Lack of Tank Heating
In their natural habitat, betta fish live in water that is between seventy and eighty degrees most of the time. When kept in a home aquarium, an electric heater should be provided to regulate the temperature of the water. Too cold water will result in sluggishness, ill health, and loss of color.
Betta Fish Threat - No Exposure to Air
Betta fish have a unique organ called the labyrinth organ which allows them to breath atmospheric air. In some popular betta fish set ups, such as the lily vase contraption, the betta fish are unable to access the surface of the water. Since betta fish rely on surface air instead of oxygen disolved in the water, a large tank surface area is recommended.
Betta Fish Threat - Improper Diet
There are specially forumulated foods for betta fish. These can be found in most pets and aquarium stores. Feeding a betta fish tropical fish food, or goldfish food, will keep them alive, but not provide optimum nutrition. Betta fish are also fond of live foods such as blood worms.
Betta Fish Threat - Other Fish
The last thread to betta fish health and safety is the inclusion of other fish in the aquarium. First of all, most people know that two male betta fish should never be kept together. Their moniker, Siamese Fighting Fish, is well-earned. Two males will fight each other until one is dead. They are very territorial.
However, it is possible to keep a betta fish in a community tank, depending on its temperment. Betta fish should be kept with other fish of a similar size. Because of their highly developed fins, betta fish are slow swimmers. Be sure to put them with fish that will offer less competition for food. Also, be wary of any fish nipping in the aquarium.
Published by Melanie L. Marten
Melanie Marten is self-taught and self-employed. Besides freelance writing, she dabbles in website design and owns dozens of websites and blogs. Work is squeezed in between parenting two boys, homeschoolin... View profile
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13 Comments
Post a CommentHi, my beta has been laying on the ground of his tank and not moving although alive. He's had some color loss and i changed his water yesterday with pre-conditioned beta water. The weather has been very cold lately and i don't know what to do. Help???
i have king bettas as well as fighting strains i dont fight fish but i believe the king betta to b a cross between giant strains and fighting strains as they can b quite aggressive sieveloren@yahoo.com
hi thanks for the info your so great i didn't know a thing about its health and safty you tought me ALOT ALOT and more ALOT of things i didn't know i just wanted a fish lol ,thanks again
I'd like to know if you ever got an answer about your male betta fish looking pregnant as mine is the same way and very sluggish.
any idea why suddenly my betta looks like he has white cataracts. his eyes have suddenly turned white. But he still eats and acts the same... Help???
My male betta fish is blown up like a balloon. He looks pregnant. What is wrong?
So if u have cold water with a beta fish it results to color loss...... wow thanks for info
I never had any luck raising fish. Great article.
I should get a Beta being the Alpha Male I am.
These are such beautiful fish...even though fish make me nervous.