BETTER Betta Care
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FOOD
I recommend "New Life Spectrum Betta Formula" to keep your Betta healthy and happy.
The BETTA LOG provides your Betta with a comfortable place to rest and feel secure. If you slip the log over the "BETTA LEAF HAMMOCK, he will take naps there and even spend the night! By putting the leaf inside of the log, it helps to keep the log from floating all over the tank.
A tiny, inexpensive terra cotta pot will also be enjoyed by your Betta. They love to just curl up and hang out, watching the world go by :) Make sure you never put any flower pots that have been painted in your tank.
Betta "Must Haves"
A heater suitable for your tank size, and a thermometer are two items that are non-negotiable for all Bettas. They are a tropical fish and require a steady temperature between 78-80 degrees.
A proper size tank. Anything smaller than 2.5 gallons will not provide your betta with the proper living conditions to live a long and healthy life. A 5- gallon is the best!
You may think it strange to show a package of peas on this page, but it is something you should keep on hand. It is a trick many betta breeders use if a fish comes down with constipation. First, fast your fish for a day or two, and if that doesn't work, feed him the inside of a cooked pea - remove the skin and offer him a small portion about the size of his eyeball. If constipation is severe, a tiny portion of Daphnia can be given, as it acts as a mild laxative.
Whether you choose a 2.5, 5, or 10-gallon tank for your betta, you will need test kits to test the water parameters. I prefer the API liquid test kits - easy to use and accurate for measuring ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, which are the three steps to a properly cycled tank. In order to understand the cycling process, please do your research on "the nitrogen cycle." I won't attempt to go into detail here, but after a tank is cycled, any trace of ammonia and nitrite in the water is toxic, and potentially deadly, to your fish. The parameters in a properly cycled tank should read: ammonia - ZERO, Nitrite - ZERO, and Nitrates should be kept under 40 ppm (parts per million).
In order for you to know your tank is cycled and stays that way, you must test your water parameters on a regular basis and take the proper steps to correct any problems. A product called Seachems Prime, dosed correctly for your size tank, will detoxify the ammonia and nitrite for 48 hours. If traces of ammonia and nitrite are detected after your tank is cycled, usually a 25% - 30% water change will solve the problem. Please read more on the nitrogen cycle to understand how it works and how to cycle a tank.
This "castle" provides your betta with the perfect hiding and sleeping quarters. Get this for your betta and I promise he will LOVE you for it! When purchasing decorations, stay away from any that have sharp or rough edges. A Betta's fins are very delicate and when rubbed along rough edges, can become torn, ripped, and eventually infection could set it. Stay SMOOTH!
Many freeze dried foods contain very little moisture and will swell once consumed. Avoid any pellets and flakes that contain protein fillers such as wheat meal, soybean meal, oatmeal, and brown rice. Since Bettas are carnivores, most of this food goes undigested and causes constipation. Check the label and make sure it contains mostly fishmeal or shrimp meal.
FASTING your Betta once a week is a GOOD THING and should become a habit.
