| Before you buy betta fish, you should get their tank | | | | food, make sure that the food size is appropriate for |
| set up. Some aquarists new to the hobby buy betta | | | | your fish. I prefer flakes at first if the betta is small, |
| fish from a pet store and leave them in the tiny | | | | and then pellets at later stages of his growth. There |
| betta fish bowls they are housed in. While your betta | | | | are a lot of options out there, but I prefer a |
| can survive in a small amount of water with little to | | | | standard betta flake food product. You can also use |
| no water circulation, they certainly will not thrive | | | | freeze-dried brine. |
| there. You probably chose bettas because of their | | | | You of course will need to buy betta supplies like a |
| amazing colors and fin plumage. If you want your fish | | | | net, lid for the betta tank, heater and filter. Buy a |
| to thrive and be the happiest, healthiest betta he can | | | | sponge filter, because good bacteria will grow in the |
| be, you will need to upgrade to a larger betta house | | | | filter collection area, and will provide the nitrates your |
| when you buy betta supplies. | | | | fish needs to fight off diseases. When purchasing a |
| I buy betta tanks no smaller than five gallons, and | | | | heater, three to five watts per gallon will be |
| prefer ten gallon tanks, because they make breeding, | | | | sufficient. Hood selection and accessories like nets are |
| and adding betta tankmates and betta plants much | | | | not as important. Get what works for you. |
| easier. With a larger tank, you will also be providing | | | | Buy your betta an aquarium test kit, and cyle his |
| your fish with many more chances to show off their | | | | tank before you add him. There are many good |
| individual personality. | | | | betta care guides that walk you through the water |
| Betta fish prefer shallow depths, so when choosing a | | | | cycling process. This is the most important step in |
| tank for your betta, buy something lower and wider | | | | your fish's young life! Follow the directions, and add |
| instead of deep. Not only will this make your water | | | | fish. Be forewarned, cycling aquarium water takes |
| changes and maintenance easier, but it will also give | | | | two to eight weeks, so you will have to be prepared |
| your betta an environment most like his natural | | | | to wait. But, when cycled properly, your betta tank |
| habitat. | | | | will have pristine water quality, and your fish can live |
| Your betta has to eat. So, when you buy betta fish | | | | up to five years. |