Bettas are beautiful fish and are liked by many people. Like most pet fish, betta fish need good care, especially when transferring your betta to a new tank. When bringing your betta fish home for the first time (usually your betta is brought in a plastic or small cup), don't put the fish straight into the tank. First, you have to help the fish adjust to its new habitat. This is done so that the fish survive in going through the process of moving their habitat from plastic (or cups) to the tank
Step
Method 1 of 3: Preparing the Tank
Step 1. Choose a suitable tank
In their natural habitat, betta fish live in dark and calm waters. Although it can live in small and narrow tanks, betta fish should live in a tank that is large enough. Choose a tank that can hold 18 liters of water to give your betta enough space. Do not place your betta in a tank with a volume of less than 4 liters.
Betta fish breathe air directly from the surface of the water. Therefore, you do not need to install a filter. It's best not to use a filter in the aquarium because the waves generated can stress your betta
Step 2. Prepare the tank
Clean the tank thoroughly and then rinse the prepared gravel using hot water. Do not use soap or detergent to clean gravel. After that, cover the bottom of the tank with gravel. Rinse the decorations that will be placed in the tank.
- You do not need to use a special tank for ornamental fish. You can also use any large container.
- It is important to place gravel in the tank. Choose a neutral colored pebble and a small size. The neutral color of the pebbles can help calm your betta. In addition, the bacteria that live on the gravel will digest the betta fish droppings, so the water in the tank remains clean.
Step 3. Fill the tank with tap water
Since regular mineral water doesn't contain the minerals that betta fish need, don't fill the tank with it. When filling the tank with tap water, make sure the tank has sufficient surface area. Like most fish, betta fish breathe underwater, but occasionally breathe air on the surface.
Therefore, a tank with a conical top, such as a coke bottle, is not a good choice for betta fish
Step 4. Purchase a water conditioner
Conditioner can help remove chlorine (an unhealthy substance for fish) from tap water. In addition, conditioner can also filter dirt and metal content from the water. Follow the instructions for use listed on the conditioner packaging. Remember, add conditioner while filling the tank with water. You should apply conditioner every time you change the tank water (about once a week).
- If you buy a betta fish from a pet store, you will get a special betta water conditioner. If you don't get one, you'll have to buy your own water conditioner. Water conditioners are commonly sold in pet stores and on the internet.
- The amount of conditioner needed depends on the size of the tank. Follow the instructions for use on the packaging to find out how much conditioner is needed, and how long you need to let the tank sit before it's safe to use.
- If you live in a country where tap water does not contain chlorine, you may not need to use conditioner. However, some conditioners can remove the metal content in the water. Therefore, the conditioner can still be used.
Method 2 of 3: Helping Bettas Adapt to Plastic
Step 1. Let the plastic bag float
Before doing this, make sure the plastic bag has enough air for the betta. Letting the plastic bag float in the tank can make the water temperature in the tank match the water in the plastic bag (which contains the betta).
- This process is known as "floating" the fish.
- Let the plastic bag float for 10-15 minutes.
Step 2. Mix tank water with water in a plastic bag
After the plastic bag has floated for 15 minutes, you can introduce the tank water to your betta. Cut the plastic bag into holes. Use a cup to pour a cup of tank water into the plastic bag (which contains the betta).
You must remain standing and hold the plastic bag so that it is pointing up. If the plastic bag is removed or tilted too much, the water inside will spill out
Step 3. Leave it for 15 minutes
Betta fish need time to adapt to the temperature, acidity, and mineral hardness of the tank water. If you rush and don't give your betta time to adapt, your fish's health will be compromised.
- Repeat one more time: mix a cup of tank water into a plastic bag (which contains the betta).
- Continue to hold the plastic during this process. Make sure the plastic hole is still pointing up.
Step 4. Release the betta fish into the tank
After assisting the fish adaptation process for 30 minutes, put the plastic bag, tilt it, then let the betta fish swim out. Bettas need time to adapt to their new home, but are now comfortable living in their new tank.
- If the water in the plastic bag is dirty, don't put too much water in the tank. A tank with dirty water is not a good thing!
- Once the fish have adapted, you can also put your betta in the tank using a fishing net.
- Don't feed him right away. Betta fish may not eat when they are in their new home. Some fish will refuse to eat for the first three days, sometimes for up to a week.
Method 3 of 3: Helping Betta Fish Adapt Using Cups
Step 1. Let the cup containing the betta fish float
At this stage, make sure your betta begins to adapt to the tank water and temperature. Betta fish will be affected by their health if suddenly exposed to tank water (which may be colder than their natural habitat).
Let the cup float for 15 minutes
Step 2. Pour the tank water into the cup
Do this slowly and use a cup or glass. Don't pour the tank water directly at the betta, pour it on the side. The cup must remain afloat on the surface of the tank.
- Betta fish must adapt to tank water. Tank water has different levels of mineral hardness and acidity. In addition, the temperature of the tank water is also different.
- Leave it for 15 minutes.
Step 3. Pour the tank water back into the cup
Make sure the tank water and cup water are evenly mixed in a 1:1 ratio before placing your betta in the tank. Wait for 15 minutes.
At this point, you can use your finger to feel the temperature of the tank water and cup water. Both will have relatively the same temperature
Step 4. Transfer the betta fish to the tank
Use a fishing net to gently remove the betta from the cup, then place the fish into the tank. Do it gently, you certainly don't want to hurt your new fish.
If the water in the cup is clean enough, you can immediately pour the betta and the water into the tank
Tips
- Do not place two male betta fish in the same tank. They will fight to the death.
- Betta fish generally do not eat fish food in the form of flakes. Betta fish prefer live feed or pellets. However, this depends on the type of betta fish you have.
- Be patient while helping the fish adapt. The longer this process is carried out, the more healthy the fish transfer process will be.
- If the filter is too strong, turn it off until you know how to clog it. Betta fish don't like waves. Fish will be stressed and sick when exposed to waves.
- When helping your betta adapt, turn off the lights in the tank. This can prevent the betta from becoming stressed.
- You actually need a filter, but use a filter that is not too big of a wave. You can also place a sponge in the filter hole so that the waves aren't too big.
