How to care for bettas

[Pleco]

Hi, I am planning on getting some bettas. What should they have to be healthy?

[lohachata]

they need to be kept at a temp of approx. 80 F....a clean properly filtered tank..a variety of quality foods and weekly water changes.....

[cossie]

how many tanks you got?

[Pleco]

two and I am getting a 2.5 for the betta if i get 1

[FRIENDLYFISHIES]

2.5g-

-1 betta
-1 small filter like this one
http://www.amazon.com/Tetra-Whisper-...s=small+filter
-Silk or live plants are best (plastic can tear finnage, also make sure decor is gentle)
-1 heater like this one
http://www.amazon.com/Tetra-26447-Su...s=tetra+heater
- turkey baster to help remove poop (dollar store)
- Measuring spoon set (dollar store)
- stress coat for each water change
- first aid - aquarium salt, epsom salt, & you can order Indian Almond Leaves on Ebay (they help with immunity and stress).

If you don't have live plants you can do 1 100% water change weekly and 1 50% water change weekly as well.
If you plant the tank, do 1 70% water change weekly, 1 50% ...of course always test water perams incase you need to increase water changes
A 2.5 tank is very difficult to cycle, so plan on doing consistant water changes for the duration of betta ownership.
If you decide to go for 5 gallon you can cycle a 5 gallon and you wont need to be as particular about water changes.

I googled images, betta 2.5 gallon planted.


And this is an example of how you can baffle the little filter (slows the current and flow)


Good luck! I love bettas!

[Betta man]

That seems like overkill to me. I personally have a betta in a 2 gal without plants with carbon filtration and I do weekly 50 percent water changes. The fish is happy. Now that was a rescue that was with another betta in the same tank and getting monthly water changes and didn't have a heater. If I was going to start keeping bettas all over again and wanted the tank to be real pretty, I would buy a 5+ gallon kit, a heater because most don't have heaters, and some fish food. Bettas aren't too picky about what they eat. It's best to give them the nicest food, but it's really not needed. I personally feed mine earthworm flakes and spirulina flakes. If I could afford it, I would get a fluval flora fish tank for it, plant it, get some premium green fish food, http://premiumgreen.net/ which I have used on my bettas and a heater, but I doubt you really want to kick down $150 when a 60 dollar 5 gal hex would do just as well. Bettas are fun fish to keep. I currently have seven, and am planning on turning my closet into a betta rooom. I would also recommend joining a betta forum like http://bettasource.com/forums/.

[FRIENDLYFISHIES]

I personally prefer overkill, ive been there done that with betta illness and fin rot within my first few months, I don't like taking that road with bettas I like and enjoy, sick bettas are a lot of work and arent enjoyable...since ive upgraded tank size, test water perams frequently, heavily planted and clean my tanks actively my bettas (knock of wood) have been extremely healthy, finnage is growing back beautifully, appetites are great, they are so active and happy. Everyone has different experiences...ive had bare tanks and now have fully planted tanks...you can def go either way, but if your going to do it at all and enjoy it, you might as well do it right the first time...thats coming from personal experience from someone who has made all the mistakes and is strapped with several different sized tanks/decor/filter/heaters et sitting up stairs collecting dust because they wont resell. And honestly plants for a 2.5 gal will be affordable, if you got low light plants, light from a window will do fine (not direct sunlight)...do what you feel and follow your heart with it, which ever you decide your betta will be happy to be out of that petstore cup and getting all kinds of attention from you regardless. Having a betta in a small space will work, I just prefer to add filtration, heat and plants to help keep their environment healthy and happy. Enjoy

Just shop around, you can get everything reasonable if you are on a budget...critter keepers come in 3 gallons are great first homes, you can plant them, decorate them, heat them, run a filter in them et.

[lohachata]

geeeezzzz....$60 for a 5 gallon set up...watch on craigs list..just this afternoon i saw a 75 gallon tank for $40...have seen complete 55 gallon set ups for as little as $50...
i recently bought a 55 gallon set up..tank...solid pine custom cabinet stand..solid wood canopy..2 fluorescent hoods and a power filter for $50....

[Betta man]

I agree. Petco overprices those things. They do come with a pretty good full spectrum light, and good power filter that lasts for years, and substrate, but it is still expensive. Craigslist is good. Or you could go to yard sales.

[Pleco]

You guys are making me confused. Is it OK if I just get a heater with out the filter? I heard that you don't really need a filter.

Also could I put my Bushynose with the betta?

[FRIENDLYFISHIES]

There won't be enough room for the bushynose but no you don't "need" a filter but it would help establish beneficial bacteria, even tho it wouldn't cycle it could still help keep the water clean. If you don't use a filter just make sure your good about doing water changes. Definitely need a heater.

[Pleco]

Well, my Bushynose is small she's about 1 1/2 inches

[FRIENDLYFISHIES]

You can try it but I advise agaisnt it...2.5 gals is just too small and the pleco will only add to the bio load regardless how small it is....I'd recommend at minimum a 5.5 gal if you want to add small tankmates such as tetras or minnows. Do as you will, but be prepared if it doesnt work out.

[Pleco]

Ok. Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it.

[Angelclown]

Pleco: I have kept bettas. Bettas need a filter and heater, but they can survive without a heater and filter. In order for your betta to live a long life, it will need a filter and heater. Now about the bushynose pleco, they grow to 6 1/2 inches, so a 20 gallon is the right size for one as a minimum. I have a 55 gallon tank with two bristlenose plecos and they are 6 1/2 inches.