Because Bettas have that special organ called the labyrinth that allows them
to breath air from the surface of the water, you can be a little more
flexable with housing a Betta than you can with regular fish. There are
several ways to house a Betta.
Small Tank: Bettas, contrary to what a pet store would make you
believe, do not like to live in tiny little quarters. Housing a Betta in water
volume less than 1/2 a gallon is not appropriate. A nice setup for your Betta
should be a 1 gallon to 5 gallon tank. Because Bettas are not too keen on
heavy currents, a small gentle filter is recommended. Gravel and plants can be
used in the tank, but make sure you use a gravel vacuum at least once a week,
more if you have less than 3 gallons, to clean up any uneaten food and waste.
A small 25 watt heater can be added to a 5 gallon tank. Never use a heater
that is more than 5 watts per gallon! Unless you like boiled Betta! Ew!
Jarring: Housing a Betta in a 1 gallon or more jar can be done with a
plant and some gravel as long as it is cleaned regularly and you watch the
plant to make sure it is not rotting and dirtying up the water. If you have
many Bettas, you may use smaller jars, but nothing less than 1/2 gallon.
Smaller jars should have a full water change twice a week (or every three days)
to keep bacteria and other bad things from infecting your friends. Also, keep
your jars covered! Bettas have a nasty habit of jumping out of their jars and
commiting suicide. Keep something over the tops of the jars that has some sort
of ventilation hole. I heard of people using old CDs! Great idea for those
annoying AOL CDs they keep stuffing in your mailbox!
Remember, only one male betta to a tank or jar! More
than
one will result in bad injury or even DEATH!!
Divided Tank: If you only have one tank and you would like to have more
than one male Betta, you can put them in a divided tank. Let's say you have a
10 gallon tank. You can add walls within the tank that will separate the males,
but make sure the walls have holes in it so that water can flow back and forth
and maintain proper filtration throughout the tank. One important note;
however, as convenient as the divided tank sounds, there is risk involved.
Diseases and infections can be spread from one fish to another much easier.
So use caution. Never put an ill Betta in a divided tank.
Community Tanks: Many people believe that Bettas (especially males) are
aggressive fish when in reality, they are only aggressive towards their own
kind. Male Bettas can be housed with other non-fin-nipping fish like platties,
mollies, swordtails. Never put a Betta in a tank with a fish notorious for
nipping, such as barbs. They will ruin your beautiful Betta's fins. Also, be
careful not to put a Betta in with a fish that may look like another Betta such
as fancy guppies. The Betta could mistake the it for another Betta and attack.
Female Bettas are generally peaceful with one another and can, therefore, be
added to a community of female Bettas. Some females, though, can be
aggressive, so just watch out for them and seperate any bullies.
One note, every once in a while you can house a male and female or a male and
multiple females together. This is only possible if the male is very laid
back. Pay close attention to how the male acts around the female(s) and make
sure he is not trying to hurt her or even kill her. Also, make sure the female
is not trying to harm your male. I've actaully heard of a female killing a
male before! So, be careful! And rememebr, no matter how laid back your male
is, never ever EVER put him in with another male! Ever!
Special note on Bettas in vases
This is the biggest NONO! Recently, there has been a marketing scheme to sell
Bettas in a vase with a Peace Lily. It is advertised as a self-containing
environment. The plant grows in the water, the fish eats the roots, the roots
absorb the fish waste, and you don't have to clean up after anyone!
No! No! No! No! First of all, Bettas are carnivorous, meaning, they eat
meat, not plant roots. Also, Bettas must be able to reach the surface of the
water to take air! If there is an overgrown Peace Lily in his way, then he's
going to have issues breathing! Furthermore, the plant roots cannot properly
clean the water and replenish natural minerals necessary for a healthy fish.
Please do not buy these gimmicks. You are only contributing to the deaths of
many innocent Bettas. There is plenty more information on this topic online.
Do a search and check it out if you're more interested.
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