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How to care for betta fish

Betta fish or Siamese fighting fish are very popular pets. Not only are they beautiful with their long tails, but they also have great personalities. Bettas are often referred to as “scaly cats and dogs” underwater. Although they have a great personality, they tend to be aggressive towards other bettas (both male and female) so they often live alone. In some cases, they may be suitable for tankmates. Still, the success of this situation mostly depends on the temperament of the betta, the size of the tank, and other factors as well. If you are interested in becoming a betta fish breeder and often ask how to care for betta fish, there are certain things you need to know to prolong the life of your fish and keep it healthy and happy. So, here is your guide on how to care for betta fish:

How To Take Care Of Betta: Set Up Your Tank Correctly

If you really want to successfully care for a betta, you need to take some time to set up your betta’s aquarium. For example, your fish needs a lot of room to move around. For this, you will need at least a 3-gallon fish tank, preferably larger. Whichever tank you choose, it should have a filter and adjustable heater. Be sure to choose one based on the exact size of your tank so your fish don’t overheat. The recommended temperature for bettas is 78 degrees to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Be sure to properly cycle your new tank so your aquarium has a healthy filtration system whose job it is to establish a colony of healthy bacteria that removes toxic waste. Cycling your tank ensures that your fish stay healthy.

• Use dechlorinated water and do a 25% water change every week and a full water change once a month. During the total water change, you will need to remove the fish and clean any gravel, sand or substrate with a siphon.

• Choose the right location for your aquarium. Your fish tank should be kept in an area where your fish are not isolated and can interact with you. Bettas are very intelligent and seem to recognize their pet owners. When choosing a location for your tank, make sure it is free from cold drafts or excessive heat. For example, you should never place your tank near a window or too close to a radiator, as your fish can get too hot or too cold. Also, direct sunlight can cause an algae overgrowth problem. Of course, if you have an algae-eating tankmate for your betta, then this won’t be a problem, and you’ll probably want some algae growth to feed your algae eater.

• Place your betta’s tank on a flat, stable surface that won’t shift from its location. You may even want to keep your fish on your desk or a table against the wall. Either way, find a spot that won’t be easily pushed around.

How To Care For Betta Fish: Choose A Safe Tank Decor

Provide adequate and safe decoration. Sometimes your fish may prefer to hide. Therefore, you should provide a wide variety of silk or live plants. You can also offer caves and other hiding places. Whatever decoration you choose, make sure it is safe for sensitive purposes. One way to test this is to run a pair of pantyhose over the decoration, and if the pantyhose rips, it’s too rough for your fish.

How To Care For Betta Fish – Implement Proper Feeding Strategies

Bettas tend to overeat, and this can cause weight gain, constipation, obstruction, bloating, and even death. Therefore, it is essential that you do the following:

• Give your betta the correct amount of food: Your betta should only eat as much food as his eyeball. That is, 3-4 granules or 1-2 words of blood are usually enough. You should also feed your fish one or two pellets or live foods at a time. This will ensure that he eats it and that too much food doesn’t sink to the bottom of the tank before he can grab it. If you don’t consume the given food within 5 minutes, take it out so as not to contaminate the water in your tank.

Feed your betta regularly: Feed your fish every day. Some people skip a day and most feed small amounts twice a day. If you need to go on vacation, stay away from weekend feeders as they can contaminate the water and cause bacterial growth and fin rot. Instead, have someone you trust come and feed your fish every day or every other day. Make sure they don’t overfeed your fish while you’re away.

• Vary Choosing Your Betta’s Foods: Just like you, bettas don’t like to eat the same kind of food every day. Therefore, you should offer a variety of foods to make it enjoyable. Some great options are premium granules or frozen flakes. live or dried bloodworms, fruit fly larvae or wingless fruit flies, and brine shrimp.

In conclusion, hopefully, you can stop looking for how to care for betta fish and go out and get one, either by adopting or purchasing one. However, to keep your fish healthy and happy, you must follow the tips mentioned above. Good luck with your new scaly betta fish friend.

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