Caring for your Betta Fish

Many people think that they can bring home a Betta fish, dump him into a vase, and forget about him. This is simply not true, and probably leads to countless fatalities for Betta fish’ses. The truth is, while the Betta is not a pet that needs intensive care, there are some things you must do keep your fish healthy and happy.

Feeding your Betta

One of the most important things to know about keeping a Betta is how to feed him. Here are some helpful hints:Follow these instructions:

• Diet: Your Betta fish will need a specific diet, not just a plant root to nibble on. Bettas are carnivores, and your fish’s diet should reflect that. Some possible foods include:
  1. Insects
  2. Insect larvae
  3. Specialized Betta food pellets
  4. As a snack, freeze dried grubs
• Schedule: Make sure to feed your Betta twice a day and , only as much as he can eat in a couple of minutes.

Habitat

It is important to keep your Betta’s tank or bowl in the proper condition. Here are some tips:

• Temperature: Your Betta fish needs a steady temperature in his bowl, usually around seventy –eight degrees farenheit. eighty degrees. This means you should keep your fish’s habitat out of direct sunlight and away from drafts. Larger tanks may require a heater.
• Water Quality: Like all fish, Bettas produce waste, and in a small enclosure, this can taint the quality of the water. If your tank does not have a filter, make sure you change a quarter to half of the water every few days, replacing it with newly conditioned water.

Tap water has chlorine and chloramines which are not good for fish. The most convenient option to condition the water is to add a few drops (follow label directions) of a dechlorinator. These are chlorine neutralizers or chlorine removers which fall into the category of water conditioners. These products make the chlorine and chloramine in water harmless to fish.

Wardley® Betta Food™

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Health Concerns

Just like any other pet, it’s important to you’ll have to keep an eye on your Betta, and watch for signs of illness. There are things you can do to help him. Here are some things to watch for:

• Fin Rot: The fins or tail appear shredded.
• Ich: White spots on the fish’s body.
• Velvet: The fish is not eating or scratching itself on objects in its tank.

All of these diseases can be treated, so if you suspect your Betta is suffering from one, talk to your veterinarian about getting help. Most Betta diseases, though, stem from poor water quality or diet, so make sure you are doing these properly.