Keeping and caring for betta fish can be a fun and rewarding experience. One part of providing proper care for your betta is maintaining the temperature of the tank. Betta fish are sensitive to their environment and water that is too cold or too warm can cause health problems. Maintaining the right temperature in your tank can help keep your betta healthy.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Maintaining Aquarium Temperature
Step 1. Install the heater in the aquarium
You must provide warm water to keep your betta fish healthy. To do this, you will need a heater for the aquarium. The type of heater needed will vary depending on how big your aquarium is. The two main types of heaters should be available at your local pet supply store.
- Aquariums with a capacity greater than 10 liters require an aquarium heater that can be immersed in water.
- For an aquarium with a capacity of between 10 and 20 liters, you will need a 25 watt heater. For a 40 liter aquarium, buy a 50 watt heater.
- Aquariums with a capacity of less than 10 liters can use a 7.5 watt submersible pad-shaped heater. These pads do not regulate the temperature, so you will need to monitor the temperature of the tank more often.
- Lights are not a good heating option, since betta fish don't like bright lighting.
Step 2. Add a thermometer to the aquarium
The easiest way to monitor the temperature in your betta's aquarium is to install a thermometer. You will need a thermometer designed for immersion in an aquarium. Once the thermometer is in place, you can easily check it to make sure your betta is in the ideal environment.
- The aquarium temperature needs to be maintained at 24 to 26 degrees Celsius.
- Place the thermometer where it is easy to read.
- A thermometer attached to one side of the aquarium is often not accurate enough to work with.
Step 3. Place the aquarium in a good location
Consider the best place in your home to place the aquarium. Look for an area where the temperature is more stable, which will naturally help maintain the temperature in the tank.
- Avoid placing the aquarium near a drafty window or other cool area of your home.
- Do not place the aquarium near a heat source.
Method 2 of 2: Providing Additional Treatment
Step 1. Maintain the quality of the aquarium water
Apart from keeping an eye on the temperature in your betta's tank, you also need to take care of other aspects of the water. Follow the characteristics of the water in your betta fish tank below to keep your fish healthy:
- The pH level can be monitored with a pH strip. pH strips can be purchased at most pet stores that sell fish and aquariums. Keep the acidity of the water neutral, with a pH level of 7.
- Aquarium water should be clean and should not contain chlorine. Your local pet store may provide dechlorinating tablets.
- If possible, let the aquarium water cool for 24 hours before transferring it to the tank. This is to make the gas that could harm your fish disappear completely.
Step 2. Clean the aquarium
Cleaning your betta fish tank regularly is a must in caring for your fish. How often you clean the aquarium will depend on the size of the aquarium.
- A 3.75 liter aquarium needs to be cleaned every three days, 10 liters every 5 days, and 20 liters every 7 days.
- Pay attention to the temperature of the aquarium. You need to match the new water to this temperature.
- Remove the fish and some of the water from the tank and transfer them to a safe container.
- Remove all old water from the aquarium.
- Wash the aquarium and all decorations in warm water. Wipe the inside of the tank with a rag or tissue paper.
- Put back the decorations and fill the aquarium with clean, dechlorinated water.
- Raise the temperature of the aquarium so that it is the same as the previous water temperature.
- Let your fish acclimate in the aquarium. Place the container with your fish in the tank and after five minutes, add the new aquarium water to the water in the tank.
- Once your fish has acclimated, you can release them into the tank.
Step 3. Pay attention to the health of your betta fish
In addition to monitoring the temperature in the fish tank, you need to watch for signs of disease. These signs of disease can tell you if there is something to watch out for in your betta's tank. Look for some of the common signs of illness in betta fish below:
- Fin damage will make the fins look damaged, frayed, or pale and is caused by unclean water in the tank. Clean the aquarium and replace it with clean water to heal the fin damage.
- Bladder abnormalities are indicated by apparent difficulty when swimming, including sinking, swimming sideways, or bobbing up and down on the surface. This is usually caused by constipation, but can also be caused by infection, parasites, or injury.
- The yeast infection will look like a white, hairy plant on your betta. Antibiotics, a temperature of 23 degrees Celsius, and aquarium salt can help stop this.
- A disorder known as exophthalmia is indicated by swollen eyes. It can be cured by cleaning the aquarium, raising the temperature to 28 degrees Celsius, and adding 1/8 tsp Epsom salt for every 10 liters of water in the tank.
Tips
- Keep the temperature in the aquarium between 24 to 26 degrees Celsius
- Clean the aquarium regularly.
- You don't need a filter or aerator for your betta.
Warning
- Never put more than one male betta in an aquarium. The male fish will fight to the death.
- Betta fish breathe on the surface of the water. Make room in the tank for your betta to breathe.
