Betta Fish Questions Answered
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I have been gettting tons of emails and comments about betta fish with lots of interesting questions. I will attempt to answer some of them here.
I am always asked: What is the best store to buy betta fish?
My opionion is the petco is the best corporate/chain pet store for betta fish selection and quality…
Also guys (and gals) you may want to take a look at your local FISH store… the kind that only specialize in fish. Not any kind of chain. That is where you can find the truly spectacular betta fish you see posted here from time to time.
I live in Florida and there are a TON of fish stores around me that have an amazing betta fish selection. I know a couple owners of these shops personally that give me a call when they have something they know I’m loooking for.
Please consider searching for a fish hobbiest store in your area before going to the chain pet store for betta fish.
ok tomorrow I’m going to get two bettas, 1 female and 1 male. I have two separate 1.75 gal. tanks w/ two plastic plants and a cave. They will each have a filter and I put the chemical in that you need one drop of for tap water. I have the right food, too. I keep reading that you need a lot of space for bettas, but a couple of years ago we had bettas in the same conditions, but they didn’t last long, I’m not sure if it’s because the store I got them from just had them in l a cup of water in plastic bags…. or am I doing something wrong please help!
Also, I was wondering if there’s enough room for a different fish or something to put into the females tank? help!
1.75 gallons is enough rooms for betta fish… I have seem them kept for a very long time in very some jars/containers (not that they were happy).
Also, are you sure you have the right food? Some pet store sell those betta flakes that betta just seem to hate. Try pellets if you can.
As for keeping different fish with females – I would not suggest it. They are still pretty agressive and could potentially kill the other fish.
O also I know what you mean about the people and what they tell you!
1.They told us that guppies were very hardy and did not need the special chemical for tap water or could be put in the tank right away!
2. They told us to wash the tanks with soap, but luckily we knew better.
3. They told us you could a male betta in with different fish….We got him out in time.
That has been a few years ago and I want my bettas to be happy and healthy
4. Also do I really need a heater?
1. Correct! Guppies are not that hardy.
2. Correct! Don’t use soap ever.
3. Correct again! Male bettas are extremely aggressive.
4. Nope, Not unless you keep your house cold. They enjoy temperatures in the upper 70’s and 80’s. I suggested this to someone who kept there house at 70-72 f.
I also read that you should not put rocks in for bettas, because a tank like mine should be cleaned often and the rocks make the tank dirty or something Maybe I’m just thinking to hard idk!
You can keep rocks with you betta. Just be sure to clean them from time to time. I personally don’t because I don’t like to spend a lot of time cleaning the betta tanks. Rocks are good though.
o i read that i need to clean the tank 2-3 times a week, is that true?
Well.. if you have a filter that often is not necessary. I clean my tanks once a week with no filter. But some people prefer more often.
This is the best website I’ve found so far and want to make sure I’m doing everything right! I read somewhere, it might have been wikipedia that said black bettas don’t live nearly as long as the others is that true?
Never heard that before. I have had a black betta fish for a very long time. Also… it may be kind of hard for you to find a black betta fish as they are somewhat rare to see in stores.


Betta Fish are what I blog about.
August 21st, 2008 at 7:00 pm
THIS WEBSITE IS SOOOO HELPFUL!!!
how many bettas do u have?
Actally, tim, i have a fan question!
August 24th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
I want to put my betta in a ten gallon tank but my mom says that it is supid right now he is in a one gallon tank what would be the best for him
August 29th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
i am going on a vacation for one day. is it ok if i don’t feed my beta Earl for a day?? will he survive? i usu give him 2-3 pellets every am before i leave for work. pls advise thanks!!
September 1st, 2008 at 10:01 pm
kasey-
Either one is fine! You don’t need that big a tank, yet it would be nice for your betta to get some excersice!
punjabi-
Yeah, thats fine! I just got back from a vacation, and mine is doin’ fine!!!
September 7th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Hi- I’m new to this site, so here it goes.
My male betta lives in a 2.5 galon tank with a heater, but no filter, and I change about 20% of his water 1-2 times a week. He is recently recovered from a short spasm of fin rot.
Just today I changed his water and put him in a seperate bowl for I was removing and adding some plants and didn’t want to stress him out with my hands all in the water. I went to put him back in and he was almost completely drained of color and hanging listlessly at the bottom of the bowl! I put him back in his tank but I’m really worried. He is normally
redish-purple on his bodie with bright red fins, but has faded to a whitesh-orange with pale pink fins:( I really don’t know what to do. I darkened the room to help calm him down and added a little malachite green to his water.
I f there is something else I can do to help him, please tell!