Saving a Betta

As a student in college, I'm somewhat limited to the pets I can keep. Living in a dorm room with three other guys, I am rarely lonely, but I figured it would still be nice to have an animal friend. A fish! The perfect pet for a college dorm. First, I had to decide what kind of fish to adopt. I began looking through Petco's website to see what variety of aquatic life they offered. One particular fish species was featured on the website, having an entire section dedicated to them. These fish were called bettas. I was intrigued by their unique coloration and extravagant fin styles, and I had to have one. A bowl at the corner of my desk, some food, and of course my fish, would be all that I need, right? I had no idea how to care for a fish, though, so I enlisted the help of my good friend, Google. A search for "betta care" returned surprising results, contradicting many preconceptions that I had about bettas and their care.

Photo Credit: Doug Briner

Betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, make fascinating and fun pets. They are active and intelligent fish, often learning to recognize the people who feed them. The popularity of betta ownership is due partly to their relative ease of care and low cost of ownership. Unfortunately, these beautiful animals often suffer through life, living in miserable conditions because their owners do not know how to care for them properly.

Example of a betta cup.      Photo Credit: Doug Briner

Probably the most common mistake made by betta owners is purchasing a small bowl as a home for their pet. Bettas are often sold in stores in tiny plastic cups of water. This might lead buyers to believe that bettas are comfortable in very small amounts of water. This theory, however, is false. Bettas in these containers are forced to swim in their own waste. Fish waste pollutes the water in which they swim with ammonia. According to fishlore.com, ammonia poses a huge threat to a fish. Ammonia itself is dangerous to fish, but it also decreases a fish's immune system and increases its susceptibility to disease. These same conditions affect bettas kept in small bowls. The small bowl may be convenient for one's desk, but in order to keep the water suitable for an aquatic pet, water changes need to be performed at least twice weekly. What a pain in the butt!

Photo Credit: The Tropic Treasure Store

 

Betta in a Vase

Housing a betta fish in a bowl presents more challenges to the fish than just dealing with poor water quality. Fish need oxygen in their water in order to breathe through their gills. A fish bowl does not provide enough surface area for water to contact the air. As a result, the water does not become adequately oxygenated. This may not seem as important, though, for a fish that can breathe air directly from the surface. Bettas have an organ called a labyrinth that allows them to gulp air from the water's surface. Unfortunately, bettas are often purchased as a decorative accent and placed into sealed containers or vases with plant roots that keep the bettas from reaching the surface. In these cases, a betta can eventually deplete its supply of oxygen and die.

Photo Credit: Monster Marketplace

Another common mistake beginning betta owners typically make is neglecting to purchase a water heater. Bettas are native to regions of Thailand, where they typically live in warm shallow water.  According to Betta Care 101, due to their origins, bettas prefer a temperature range of around 78-82 degrees. Most new betta owners will keep their pet in room temperature water, around 71 degrees. Bettas kept at room temperature will feel like they are freezing, and typically are not as active.



One of the most common misconceptions about betta fish is that they cannot be kept with any other fish. People hear the name Siamese fighting fish and assume that these fish must be kept in isolation to prevent fish fighting. Bettas will indeed attack other male bettas housed with them, but they will leave most other fish alone. In fact, one might need to be more concerned that other fish will chase the betta to nip its long fins. Provided a sufficiently sized tank is used, bettas make a great addition to a tank of similarly sized fish.

A betta in a community tank. Photo Credit: Betta Fish Awareness Day

All too often, betta fish live their lives in misery.  The solution to this problem is simple: get informed.  If you would like to rescue a betta, you can provide it with a healthy environment and a happy life by following these beginner guidelines.

• Start with an appropriate tank. A betta will be happiest in a tank with a capacity of at least 3 gallons.
• Make sure your fish's water will be warm enough by purchasing an aquarium heater.
• Consider purchasing a filter for your tank. A filter will help oxygenate the water in smaller tanks and will keep the water cleaner, longer. That means you do not have to change your fish's water quite as often.
• If your tank is large enough, consider providing your betta with some companions.
• Replace a portion of your tank's water at least weekly. The amount of water to be replaced will depend on several factors, including your tank's capacity and level of filtration. Don't forget to treat new water with a water conditioner. Most tap water contains chemicals to keep the water safe for human consumption, but these chemicals are not safe for fish.
• Last, but not least, feed your betta daily with a betta specialized diet. 

Although bettas require more maintenance than you may have originally thought, betta ownership can still be a fun and rewarding experience.