| Colorful exotic betta fish swimming around | | | | an idyllic water environment, wastes are broken |
| decorative glass bowls have become a very | | | | down by bacteria into nitrates and nitrites and |
| fashionable choice of pet for the home. It can be | | | | then other beneficial bacteria will feed off these, |
| argued that they rival even the humble goldfish in | | | | keeping the water in balance. |
| popularity. People's curiosity for these unusual fish | | | | When adding new dechlorinated water to your |
| doesn't stop with the family home, but you'll also | | | | aquarium, the new water will not contain |
| find betta fish bowls on display in restaurants, | | | | established colonies of beneficial bacteria. This can |
| company offices and even on tabletops at | | | | result in speedy imbalances if fish are introduced |
| wedding receptions. | | | | too quickly. Water should be added and allowed to |
| Betta fish are truly a resilient fish that can stand | | | | cycle in the betta bowl for at least a week |
| water and tank conditions that many other fish | | | | before adding your betta fish. To hurry this |
| cannot. However, keeping bettas in undersized | | | | cycling process up you could pour a cup of water |
| bowls or glass jars will not allow them to flourish, | | | | full of useful bacteria from an existing aquarium or |
| nor will they be happy fish. Unless special | | | | even outside pond to the new betta tank. These |
| consideration is given to their environment and | | | | useful bacteria like to set up themselves in the |
| requirements, they will become stressed, resulting | | | | filter. Fish bowls without one won't be conducive |
| in bad health and regret for the owner. | | | | to these bacteria. |
| So what special attention should they be given? | | | | Now that you appreciate why betta fish do best |
| Before I answer that question let's understand a | | | | in larger filtered aquariums, let's look at |
| little about the background of the Siamese | | | | temperature. Being a strictly tropical fish, bettas |
| Fighting Fish. | | | | do require warm temperatures of about 78 |
| Bettas are native to tropical Asia where they | | | | degrees Fahrenheit. They can endure cooler |
| thrive in shallow warm waters, often being found | | | | temperatures, but won't be content, nor will they |
| in muddy rice paddy ponds. Having a unique | | | | flourish. What Siamese fighting fish won't put up |
| labyrinth organ located on the very top of their | | | | with though, is a fluctuating water temperature. |
| head permits them to survive in this oxygen | | | | Betta bowls or containers can vary in |
| starved environment. Their labyrinth organ allows | | | | temperature significantly from night to day. These |
| them to extract oxygen from the air and they | | | | fluctuations will put strain on your betta fish |
| do this by merely raising their head to the water | | | | resulting in illness. Betta tanks should have a |
| surface. That is why you'll often see Siamese | | | | heater with a thermostat installed to keep the |
| Fighting Fish hanging inactive at the water surface. | | | | water temperature stable and warm. Placing your |
| Although betta fish are quite capable of living in | | | | betta fish in sunshine to warm it up, or by using |
| small bowls or tanks, they do prefer a larger | | | | an external heater will not be sufficient, and in |
| oxygenated tank to live in. A tank range of | | | | fact could cause greater changes in temperature. |
| between one to three gallons minimum is my | | | | Water pH is a lesser concern for betta keepers. |
| recommendation. Install a small filter to the tank. | | | | Bettas will tolerate a broad pH range, so long as it |
| This will not only clean the tank of organic | | | | remains constant and does not overly fluctuate. |
| wastes, but also oxygenate their water. | | | | Like a fluctuating water temperature, a fluctuating |
| Smaller tanks, or betta fish containers, need | | | | pH will put strain on your fish. |
| regular water maintenance, especially if the tank | | | | Betta keepers like to be able to view their |
| has no filter! All fish produce waste which, along | | | | beautiful bettas and will sometimes, unknowingly, |
| with leftover food, builds up in the tank and | | | | leave their betta bowls or tanks void of plants or |
| gradually rots. As a result of this rotting organic | | | | hiding spots so that they can be seen. Bettas, |
| materials, nitrite and nitrate levels in the water will | | | | (just like humans), like to be able to disappear |
| increase. Nitrite is particularly toxic to fish and if | | | | from peering eyes at times. By having nowhere |
| not taken out of the water, your betta will end | | | | to hide, they will feel vulnerable to predators and |
| up perishing. Too many fish enthusiasts overlook | | | | dazzling light, which will again stress them. |
| nitrate because their fish bowl looks clear and | | | | When selecting decorations and plants for their |
| clean. Don't be fooled by this as nitrite is hard to | | | | aquarium, it is best to choose living plants as |
| identify by simply looking into your tank. By the | | | | these help with cycling and oxygenating of the |
| time it becomes visually noticeable it will often be | | | | water. Jagged edged plastic plants and ornaments |
| too late for your betta. Betta fish keepers must | | | | can catch on the betta's elongated fins, resulting in |
| check their fish's water weekly for nitrite levels | | | | tears. Floating plants will filter light and provide a |
| and carry out daily water changes (renewing up | | | | structure for when your betta fish wants to |
| to a third of the tank water volume). This | | | | construct a bubble nest. |
| monitoring and maintenance can be, to a great | | | | Lastly, Siamese fighting fish are notorious for |
| extent, reduced by having a larger tank with a | | | | jumping, especially during the night. A top for your |
| filter. | | | | betta fish tank is essential if you want your fish |
| When releasing your betta to its new fish tank or | | | | to remain in his tank. A jumping fish in a lidless |
| making water changes, it is necessary that the | | | | aquarium will, without a doubt, end up dead! |
| water is free from chlorine and that it is cycled. In | | | | |