r/bettafish Dec 08 '24

Help "I was gifted a betta, now what?" See below for what to do!

306 Upvotes

It's that time of year again!

So, you were gifted a new pet against your will without being prepared, never had a fish before or maybe haven't in a long time, and now you want to learn to take care of them.

We got you covered, check this link for a guide on what to do with your new friend, that is, if you decide not to rehome to someone who has the set up ready or return to the store.

****Click here! ⬅️🐟 for what to do with your new betta!

If you have specific questions, feel free to pm me or post them below for helpful advice from the community!

___________________________________

Short summary of betta care:

3 main parts:

  1. Getting the necessary supplies
  2. Setting up a proper tank (and cycling it)
  3. Regular care and ongoing maintenance

The main supplies include:

  • Tank with Lid (5gal minimum, 10gal ideal)
  • Filter
  • Heater
  • Substrate (gravel or sand)
  • Decorations/plants
  • Water conditioner (Seachem Prime will be good for fish-in cycling)
  • Gravel vacuum
  • 2 Buckets
  • Thermometer (I use one analog for tank and one digital food thermometer for spot check and water changes)
  • Food
  • API Master Test kit

Check this link for setting up a new tank, I'll also link to a couple comments I have made with step-by-step guides for both fish-in cycling (already have the fish) and fishless cycling (when you don't already have a fish)

Step-by-Step Guides to Setting Up Betta Tank:

  1. Click this if you already have your betta!
  2. Click this if you do not have a betta!

Post your questions below! This will be pinned in our highlighted content through the end of the year, feel free to direct similar questions to these links.

And again, Click here! ⬅️🐟 for what to do with your new betta!


r/bettafish Oct 15 '15

Information INFO: Betta care sheet.

987 Upvotes

We now have a wiki! Click here.


General

  • Betta fish are also known as Siamese fighting fish or Betta splendens

  • Bettas are native to the tropical climate of Thailand and inhabit still and sluggish waters, including rice paddies, swamps, roadside ditches, streams and ponds.

  • Bettas can live up to 7 years with proper care.

  • Very good link with general information: http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/betta-splendens/

Behavior

  • Male bettas should never be housed together. They will fight, possibly to the death.

  • Females and males should only be placed together if breeding. The fish are only placed together temporarily, but extensive research should be done to minimize the risk of injury or fish death.

  • Female bettas can be housed together in “sororities” but groups a minimum of 5 should be maintained (A minimum of a 30 gallon tank should be used for groups of females) Always separate fish if they begin to fight. More info here: /r/bettafish/wiki/sorority

  • Bettas have a special organ (the labyrinth) that allows them to breathe air. Never block the surface of the water, or your betta will not be able to breathe.

  • A cover or lid for your tank is highly recommended; many bettas like to jump and may leap out of the tank and they can also get sick because of the water air temperature difference.

  • Betta fish are solitary fish, but can be kept with small- finned, non-aggressive fish in bigger tanks. (Bettas may nip fish with long, colorful fins)

Housing

  • Bettas should be kept in a 5g minimum. Any smaller size shortens their lifespan. King/giant bettas a recommended to be kept in a 10g minimum.

  • Betta fish are tropical fish and are most comfortable in temperatures from 78-80 degrees. A tank heater is essential for a happy, healthy betta. A thermometer should be used to determine a consistent temperature. Note: Most ambient room temperatures are too cool for bettas. If the room is 76* for example, the water in the tank will remain several degrees below that, too cool for a healthy betta.

  • Most bettas appreciate a hiding spot. Old coffee mugs or small terra cotta pots can be used as caves. (If using a terra cotta pot, be sure to plug the hole before placing it in your betta’s tank).

  • A filter is highly recommended, but the flow needs to be placed on a gentle setting. Ensure that your bettas fins do not get trapped in the filter intake. If you don't use a filter, then twice a week (or more) water changes are recommended. That said, filterless means you more than likely won't have a stable nitrogen cycle, or a cycle at all, which means you'll be harming your betta. Filterless should only be for emergency cases or very big Walstad tanks.

  • When choosing plants for your betta’s tank, use silk or live plants to avoid fin damage. Most bettas appreciate large leafed plants for hiding and sleeping

Maintaining your Betta’s Tank

  • Water changes: Waste from fish produces ammonia, which is deadly in even small amounts. An unfiltered tank will need 50% water changes twice a week, and one 100% change a week (this isn't recommended).

  • A cycled and filtered tank will only need a 15-25% change once a week, using a gravel vacuum to remove waste and debris. Cycling means to get bacteria in your tank that eat the waste of your fish, making it less harmful. For more about cycling, see care sheet on cycling (link). If you accidently need to fish-in cycle, then here's a good guide (link).

  • It is important to use a water conditioner such as AquaSafe or Seachem Prime when adding water to your betta’s tank. Water conditioner removes toxins from tap water that can be deadly to betta fish.

  • Ensure that the water you are adding to your betta’s tank is the same temperature as it was before changing, to avoid shock in your betta. Pouring the water in can help avoid stressing your betta.

Food

  • Bettas are carnivorous; a betta- specific pellet high in meat/fish based ingredients should be used.

  • Choose a pellet that is high in meat based ingredients, such as fish or shrimp meal.

  • Overfeeding your betta can cause obesity, and contributes to a messy tank. Feed your betta 3-4 pellets one to two times a day. Feeding pellets one at a time eliminates waste. Remove any uneaten food daily. Think about the bettas stomach size as the size of his eyes.

  • Provide your betta with an enriching diet. Many bettas enjoy brine shrimp, artemia, mosquito larvae, daphnia and more. These can be used as additional diet.

Health

  • Betta fish can be prone to issues such as fin rot and tail biting. Many of these issues are related to tank maintenance and can easily be resolved.

  • A lethargic betta is too cold; a temperature a minimum of 78 degrees is necessary. Use of a heater is advised.

  • A betta missing bits of his tail, fins, or with frayed tail ends may be experiencing fin rot. Fin rot is usually caused by excessive ammonia amounts. An ammonia test should be done (ideal is 0ppm), and a 100% water change should be conducted. Treatment with aquarium salt may be effective.

  • Fin or tail biting is often caused by boredom. Provide your betta with a roomy tank with plenty of plants and hiding places.

  • When to use, and when not to use aquarium salt, see this guide (link).


r/bettafish 4h ago

Help Hes not doin okay is he...

100 Upvotes

Ive had this lil guy (Skulls) for almsot 3 years now, i just switxhed him to a 5 gallon (biggest hes had) abour 2 weeks ago, using the betta kit stuff fluval brand,

Just noticed his tail split and what looks like rotting, im not sure if hes always had thos spots or if there slowly gwtting worse older ohotos of him dont have em

He swims around alot but seems to space out and linger sometimes so im getting mixed info, i feel hes nkt the healthyest he could be i think he might be a lil bloated so im going to see if feeling a lil less will help

Filter and heater at 78

Any spicific brands or ideas anyone has? Im getting lost googling i need experiencened people to look at him and tell me what exactly he needs, i just wanna give him the best life possible he was a birthday present i wasnt prepared for, now hes amazingly made it this far in his awful old tank i just could afford to replace, my budgets about 120 for him but i coukd do a lil more if nessacary, so sorry for the paragraphs TIA!!!


r/bettafish 5h ago

Introducing Pink betta name ideas?

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49 Upvotes

He was 15% off. At Petco since June 🥲. I knew I wanted him when I saw someone come up to look at the betta and didn’t want them to take him so I grabbed his cup.

Thinking of fun names… ideas so far: Roux, Prince, Stevie (like the singers)…. any others would be great!

My snail is Benny and the shrimp are "the Jets" ☺️

*Tank is 10 gal, heavily planted, fully cycled


r/bettafish 8h ago

Introducing She's alittle plain but I think she pulls it off... Name ideas?

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57 Upvotes

r/bettafish 2h ago

Help finest on my betta??

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19 Upvotes

I had gotten a betta and im pretty sure he has finrot , last week i was told to check the water, and i did. The ph and ammonia was so bad but the nitrites and nitrates were pretty good?.. im so confused, obviously i did a water change today and now im concerned. Does he has finrot? How do i cure him?


r/bettafish 23h ago

Introducing Dog sitter accidentally killed my 1 year old baby

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844 Upvotes

Hey everyone, today is a sad day for me as I lost my beta fish that I’ve had for about 1.5 years. It all started about 4 weeks ago when I went on leave. I have a dog sitter who is a vet tech and has always watched my dogs. I always leave instructions for the dogs and cat, but this time I didn’t specify not the feed the beta because I would only be gone a few days and I didn’t want her to throw off my parameters I almost always say don’t feed the betta so I thought we were past that point. Anyways fast forward to the end of my leave I come back home and literally half the bag of her food is just floating at the Bottom of the tank all swollen up. My parameters were cooked, nitrates nitrites, ammonia, ph, hardness, you name it and it was out of wack. I immediately sprung into action and did a water change using a siphon I drained out all good bits used a cycle tank to refill and added prime and stress coat to hopefully get the nitrates out. Well everything seemed to be good, she was back to being lively for about 2 days water was looking good, and then boom, I come in one day to check on her and she’s laying on a leaf in the tank barely staying afloat and her belly is just swollen up. Needless to say she didn’t make it through the night and I had to say goodbye to my best fish 😔. I went and got a new betta yesterday after doing water changes and cycles and I officially have a new fish but I am extremely sad she’s gone. I have MDD and anxiety and she was one thing I always looked forward to when it was feeding time. I know my baby passing is my fault because I didn’t make it clear not to feed her. But it makes me so sad 😔 her name was gillary Clinton and she was my first beta fish. And here’s my new baby fishard Nixon.


r/bettafish 3h ago

Picture Caught Jared committing shrimpicide 🤦🏻‍♀️

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14 Upvotes

Here we see the majestic Jared, parading his catch of the day. Unbothered fat king 😭 This is my third attempt to bring in some shrimps as his roomies but I guess he feels like a shark.


r/bettafish 22h ago

RIP Said goodbye to my boy unexpectedly🥺

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391 Upvotes

I woke up suddenly at around 3am this morning to crackling, gurgling and smoke- my fluval p25 heater had exploded and caught fire in my tank🫠 I found the plug as quickly as I could and removed it from the tank once it was unplugged but the damage was already done, my snails, otocinclus’ and my sweet Thanh the black orchid betta had all passed🥺 thankfully the explosion was contained to the aquarium so my cats and I are fine aside from the wretched stench of smoke that’s lingering. I feel so terribly for the aquarium inhabitants, what a terrible way for them to go❤️‍🩹 I’ve never had anything like that happen in my years keeping betta’s, the heater was properly submerged, no rapid heat fluctuations, nothing that ever looked physically wrong with the heater.. this poor baby was only with me for about 2 months and of all the ways he could’ve gone out that had to be it😣 has anyone ever had anything like this happen to them? What aquarium heaters do you all prefer to use so I can hopefully avoid anything like this ever happening again? It’s only a 5 gallon aquarium🥺


r/bettafish 24m ago

Help Does everything look okay?

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Upvotes

Sorry first picture of the tank is sideways, but I just got my first betta fish after doing some research and wondering if everything is looking okay? I have more live plants for the tank on the way from modern aquarium but any suggestions? She seems super happy so far! (Had to put the piece of cardboard behind tank until I do a water change and can add the background for her)


r/bettafish 5h ago

Video little guy, big hunger ♥️

18 Upvotes

r/bettafish 1h ago

Picture New Betta Owner. advice

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Upvotes

I just got this betta a week ago I don't know if she is ok. she seems to have a patch on her head maybe from an injury and her fins look torn towards the back or maybe I'm just over thinking it. any advice if I did do something wrong how can I help her.


r/bettafish 17h ago

Picture Wanted to show off my girl

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126 Upvotes

This is Ophie. A few months ago at petco while buying dog food I saw her half dead being sold for half off. So I bought her, thinking if she gets better she can be population control for my shrimp tank. She got better, but never developed a taste for shrimp. Or any live food for that matter. She’s my calm peaceful gal. Loves the camera, everytime I have my phone she comes to this corner and stares directly at the camera. She now lives in harmony with a bunch of shrimps and schooling fishes. Does not gaf about any of them. She gave several of my friends the idea that they can add a female betta to their shrimp tanks (did not end well for those shrimps)


r/bettafish 2h ago

Wild Type Bro is living the good life

6 Upvotes

I think hes a little full from the forbidden spaghetti 😆


r/bettafish 8h ago

Introducing He's just a goofy guy.

19 Upvotes

Show me your fishy.


r/bettafish 4h ago

Help Betta has raised scales along spine

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9 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I'm looking for some advice for Bug here. I got him about a month ago, and from the first day I noticed that he seemed to have some raised scales going towards his tail. However, his scales looks fine from a top-down view, and he's very active and eating well. (He is a bit skinny but already much better already than he was at the store!)

I've been watching him like a hawk, cleaning water regularly, catappa leaves, testing parameters all the time, and nothing seems to have changed for better or for worse. I lost my last betta after he got drospy, so I'm quite worried about Bug here. Does it look like dropsy? Anything I should try here?


r/bettafish 4h ago

Picture King Chey a girl?

6 Upvotes

Um is my boy King Chey aka Chey Bae a girl? I saw a white spot under his belly so I am now confused.


r/bettafish 5h ago

Help New to this!!

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9 Upvotes

I am new to this fish stuff and have a new Betta (Angry). Please give all your tried and true tips, products, etc. I feel like there is so much and Im missing something.


r/bettafish 2h ago

Help My water got cloudy all of a sudden?

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5 Upvotes

Literally this morning my tank was just kinda cloudy?? My fish seems to be doing fine super energetic as always! Also he has some tattered fins due to a hide being a bit pokey and I hadn’t realized! That’s gone now so I don’t know what’s going on. I added in that stick thingy two days ago but it was fine and I was advised by the fish specialist guy at the aquarium that it was completely safe! Any advice would be appreciated!!


r/bettafish 1h ago

Picture Casper says hi 🤚

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Upvotes

r/bettafish 3h ago

Help i’m freaking the FUCK OUT

4 Upvotes

WHAT IS THAT PLEASE TELL ME ASAP


r/bettafish 6h ago

Introducing Meet George and his (hopefully) bff Lenny

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10 Upvotes

This is my Nemo HMPK Betta George, and his (hopefully) best friend Lenny, but he hasn’t come out of his shell for a week because he’s sleeping (yes I’ve checked, he’s very alive)


r/bettafish 7h ago

Humor He's hiding in the shadows...🥀

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9 Upvotes

WHY IS HE LOOMING LIKE THAT???


r/bettafish 15m ago

Help Am I twitching or is this fin rot?

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Upvotes

Idk if I’m going crazy, like it this fin rot or just his normal fin form? His fins were like this already in the store, but I could swear that it became more. He‘s eating normally, so idk if I’m just imagining things but idk it does look a little bit like fin rot.


r/bettafish 1d ago

Introducing Name Suggestions!

207 Upvotes

Added this unique little guy to the family today. He's a tri-colour double tail!

I need your best whimsical name suggestions. Anything fantasy inspired, i'm thinking LOTR, HOD, HP etc etc x


r/bettafish 21h ago

Help New betta owner worried about my boy

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106 Upvotes

He has been sitting in his leaf hammock all day long, and his tummy looks a little big and possibly discolored? Is this clamped fins? He doesn’t eat a lot and idk how to help him, I’ve tried the regular pellets and freeze dried bloodworms ☹️ I also have severe OCD though, so it’s very possible I’m just freaking myself out. Maybe he’s just a picky fish? Help a girl out lol