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Betta Care: Tips & Inspiration

Betta Basics

Thing To Know About Your Betta

  • On average a Betta fish can live between 3-5 years. 

  • Betta fish require an aquarium with a filter that is at least three (3) gallons

  • It's best to set up the tank several days prior to bringing your new Betta home. This will ensure your tank has properly cycled and has all the beneficial bacteria it needs

  • If not cycled, please allow 7 days to pass with the help of beneficial bacteria before we will send you home with your Betta. 

  • The minimum size of your tank will depend on how many fish you plan to have. The general rule is 1 gallon of water for every inch of full-grown fish

  • The aquarium should be near a power source and set up on a stable and strong base, ideally away from direct sunlight and or drafts of cold air

Tank Filtration & Cleaning

  • If you purchase an aquarium with a filtration system, it should be able to clean the water in your tank between 3-5 times an hour

  • Without proper filtration Ammonia can build up causing harm and even death to your fish

  • If you choose to house your fish without filtration, water changes should be done every 2 days to remove waste and ammonia from the water

  • The cleaner the water, the healthier your fish will be

Heat & Lighting

  • Betta fish are tropical and need to swim in warm water between 74-82 degrees. It’s important to choose the right heater for your tank.  

  • General rule is 5 watts of power for each gallon of water in the aquarium

  • Wait 15 minutes after filling your tank before turning on your heater

  • Place your heater close enough to the filter to distribute the warm water

  • Run the tank’s filter and tanks light for 24 hours, then check the water temperature and adjust the heater if needed

Introducing Your Betta To Its Tank

  • Once home with your Betta place your fish –in the bag- into the aquarium for 15 -20 minutes so it can get used to the new water temperature

  • Open the bag and add your Betta in the aquarium 

  • The chemical balance in your aquarium will change with every fish you add, so check your water’s PH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels regularly

  • Introducing new items to your tank (ie. plants, rocks, wood, décor or other fish) should all be done slowly so as not to shock the fish.

  • Rocks, wood and décor items should be boiled before added to your tank in order to kill any potential and unwanted bad bacteria

What Do Betta Fish Eat?

  • Betta fish need to be feed only 1-2 times daily

  • Depending on size 2-3 ground pellets should suffice

  • Food specific for Betta fish can be found at most pet or fish stores

  • Typically, their food consists of fish flakes and or pelleted food

  • Betta fish are carnivores, and can be fed a daily diet of frozen brine shrimp


DO NOT OVER FEED.  Due to their small size over feeding can lead to health issues and even death.  If you have purchased your Betta fish for your child, ensure that you monitor feeing time to avoid over feeding. 

Diseases & Signs Your Betta May Need Medical Assistance

  • Fin/Tail Rot

  • Dropsy (usually fatal) 

  • Swim Bladder 

  • Ich

  • Decreased appetite

  • Fins clamped to the sides of its body

  • Scraping body on rocks

  • Abdominal swelling

  • Inflamed or discolored skin or fins. 

Safety Tips

  • Ensure that you and your children wash their hands after contact with your fish and aquarium as fish can transmit zoonotic disease to humans.  Best practice includes hand washing with soap and warm water

  • Never release your fish into the wild

  • Always add dechlorinated water or water conditioner to tap water before adding to the aquarium

  • Do not use soap or detergent to clean the aquarium or decor as they are toxic to fish

Our Favorite Products & Must Haves

  • Fluval Bug Bites

  • Hakari Brine Shimp

  • Catappa Leaves

  • API Aquarium Salt 

  • API Freshwater Master Kit ​

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