BETTA CARE GUIDE

Bettas are tropical freshwater fish known for their brilliant colors, elaborate fins, and individual personalities. Although they're hardy fish, they thrive when provided with a heated, filtered aquarium rather than small bowls or unheated containers.

Bettas possess a specialized labyrinth organ that allows them to breathe atmospheric air. It is completely normal for a healthy Betta to regularly swim to the surface and take gulps of air.

 Adult Size: 2.5–3 inches
Minimum Tank: 5 gallons
Temperature: 76–82°F
pH: 6.5–7.5
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Care Level: Easy
Diet: Primarily carnivorous/insectivorous
Lifespan: Approximately 3–5 years 

A Betta aquarium should have a heater, gentle filtration, and easy access to the water's surface. Live or soft artificial plants, driftwood, caves, and other cover provide places to explore and rest.

Avoid decorations with sharp edges that could tear long fins. Bettas with especially large fins also appreciate broad leaves or resting areas near the surface.

Because Bettas aren't strong swimmers compared with many community fish, avoid excessively strong water flow.

Male Bettas should never be housed together. They are highly territorial toward other males and may seriously injure or kill one another.

A single male may sometimes live successfully with peaceful community fish in an appropriately sized aquarium, but temperament varies considerably between individual Bettas.

Avoid aggressive fish, persistent fin-nippers, and other fish likely to compete or fight with the Betta.

Female Bettas can sometimes be maintained differently from males, but simply putting several females together does not guarantee a peaceful aquarium. 

Bettas are primarily insectivorous/carnivorous fish.

Feed a quality Betta pellet as the staple diet and supplement with appropriately sized frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, and mysis.

Feed small portions and avoid chronic overfeeding. Bettas have relatively small bodies and don't need large amounts of food at each feeding.