Betta fish, sometimes called Siamese fighting fish, are very popular pets. Betta fish are easy to care for and, under the right conditions, can live for several years. Wild betta fish can live an average of two years. However, in captivity and with proper care, betta fish can live up to four years or more.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Choosing Fish
Step 1. Choose healthy fish
Be sure to get your fish from a shop or someone who takes good care of their livestock. It's hard to know what a fish's life is like before you get one. You may not know its age or whether the fish carry the disease. Betta fish in stores can suffer from stress, illness, and be cared for in poor conditions. The above can contribute to your pet's premature death.
- Healthy fish are more active than less healthy fish.
- Look for signs of physical disability.
- Look for any discoloration that could indicate disease.
Step 2. Buy a blue betta fish
The reason is that betta fish feed generally contains ingredients that make red betta fish redder in color, but in exchange, clearly increase blue betta's ability to fight disease. These red enhancers are called carotenoids (think orange, like carrots), and they enhance the orange, red, and yellow colors of betta fish. However, blue betta fish will not get a better red boost, but a stronger immune system. The female fish even indicated that they preferred the blue male fish over the others after consuming this color enhancer.
Step 3. Select the younger fish
Many people do not know the age of their fish. It's possible to buy fish that are aged, thereby reducing the time you have to raise them. By buying younger fish, you increase your chances of having them for a long time. However, although not always, the smaller fish are likely to be younger; As betta fish get older, their fins become longer and their bodies enlarge. While Bettas naturally vary in size, choosing a smaller fish increases the chances of you getting a young betta. If you want to make sure the fish are young, contact your betta breeder.
Fish that are too young are not good either. Fish like this easily go into shock when put into a different environment
Step 4. Check the water where the fish are kept
Check if the water is dirty. Observe to see if there is too much food, indicating that the fish are being fed too much, or not eating. This can be a sign of poor care, possibly shortening the life of the fish.
Step 5. Observe the other fish
Just because the fish you choose looks healthy, doesn't mean it won't get sick from the water the store provides. Fish may catch something from other fish, if kept in a shared aquarium. If many of the other fish look unhealthy, the fish you choose is likely unhealthy too.
Step 6. Don't buy more than one fish at a time
While it's possible to keep betta fish in an aquarium with other betta fish, each fish has a slightly different personality. To ensure that no fish are injured, keep your betta fish in a single tank, and don't buy other fish with the fish.
Part 2 of 4: Preparing the Aquarium
Step 1. Choose the right sized aquarium
Although many people say betta fish are happy living in standing water, these fish actually prefer water that is 30 cm or 60 cm deep, similar to the depth of the rice fields where they are usually found. Choose an aquarium that is at least a few liters in size, so your betta will have comfortable swimming space. Generally, an aquarium smaller than 7.5 liters will not be large enough.
Step 2. Add plants
Plants are an excellent addition to your aquarium. Many people choose synthetic plants because they are easier to maintain. Live plants, although they require special care, can help improve the quality of your betta's water by purifying it and adding oxygen. However, when choosing live or synthetic plants, it is important to avoid plants with surfaces that are too hard or sharp, as they can injure the fragile fins of the fish. Here are some plants that are safe for fish.
- Synthetic plant
- Live pool tongue fern
- live christmas moss
Step 3. Add clean water
This is one of the most important elements of preparing an aquarium. Adding water directly from the tap can kill fish. Chemicals such as chlorine and fluoxetine, as well as other substances found in tap water, are very harmful to fish. These ingredients can significantly harm and reduce the life span of fish. It is important to purchase a water conditioner to add to your aquarium before introducing pets. This water also needs to be left for a few days so that there is enough dissolved oxygen for the fish to breathe.
Step 4. Warm the water in the aquarium
When the water comes out of the tap, the temperature is not particularly right for the fish. Given that betta fish come from Southeast Asia, this fish prefers warm water. The ideal temperature for a betta fish tank is between 22.2-26.7 degrees Celsius. You may need to purchase a heater and thermometer to keep the fish healthy.
- Warm water will make the fish more active and help for their overall health.
- When fish get cold, they can die.
- When first setting up an aquarium, it will take time for the heater to warm up the water initially. You should let it sit for a day or two before adding the fish.
- In addition, when adding fish, it is important to ensure that the temperature of the water in which the fish comes from is the same as the temperature of the water in which the fish will be transferred. Leave the plastic bag or fish container in the new aquarium water, long enough to keep the temperature the same, so that temperature changes don't startle the fish and cause death.
Step 5. Choose the right tank mate
You can't just put a betta in an aquarium with any other fish. Betta fish are aggressive. Two male betta fish in the same tank are likely to kill each other. Although female betta fish can be kept together in a group, they may injure each other. Many people choose to keep betta fish in individual aquariums, but if you intend to keep them with a docile partner, choose the right partner.
- Neon tetras (in flocks)
- Cattle fish
- Glass catfish
- swamp
Part 3 of 4: Routine Care
Step 1. Make a regular schedule
Without regular care, fish will die prematurely. Remember, a fish can't tell you when it's hungry or the water is dirty. To maximize the life span of your fish, you need to give them regular care. By creating a schedule for yourself, you can help yourself stick to it.
Step 2. Feed the fish well
Feed the fish regularly. It is important to choose the right food for your fish. Many shops sell special foods for betta fish, but even so, it's important to check the ingredients. Avoid foods that are mostly made from fish food.
- Betta fish do not like flaky fish food.
- Pellets specially formulated for betta fish can be found at most fish stores.
- Freeze-dried fish food or frozen fish food such as bloodworms or crayfish are excellent supplements to your betta's pellet diet.
- Choose live foods whenever possible. Research has shown that formulated foods, such as store-bought dry fish food, begin to have a measurable impact on a betta's health once they exceed 25% of their diet. Some pet betta fish have the luxury of eating live food all the time. While live food is sometimes very expensive and time-consuming, live food can also be very beneficial to the health of your betta.
- Buy a feeder with a timer for your fish when you go on vacation so you don't starve to death while you're away.
Step 3. Clean the water
Every few times, you need to change the water for the fish. This water change varies depending on the size of the aquarium, whether you choose to use a filter or not, and if you use live plants. You can purchase a test kit to check the water. This will ensure the fish have a healthy and clean medium to live in, maximizing their potential lifespan.
Step 4. Clean the aquarium
Fish aquariums can grow algae as a byproduct which needs to be cleaned to ensure water quality and provide a clear view of the fish. The rocks or sand at the bottom of the tank also need to be cleaned or replaced every now and then. The buildup of dirt at the bottom of the tank can also make fish sick and kill them. A filter can help with this, however, it is necessary to suck the dirt from the bottom of the aquarium.
- Purchase a siphon so that you can suck the dirt and water from the bottom of the tank into the bucket.
- Buy a magnetic cleaning kit or a long-handled aquarium scrubber, so you don't get wet while cleaning the algae.
- Do not use soap to clean the aquarium. Good physical cleaning (without the use of chemicals or detergents) is often sufficient.
Step 5. Play with the fish
Because betta fish show great aggression, many people enjoy using mirrors to try to get the betta to expand its fins. Although it can be stressful for fish if done too often, it is not harmful to fish if done once in a while. Research suggests that even though the winner of the fight between bettas consumes more oxygen, there doesn't seem to be a significant consequence of this exhibit. Showing your betta a mirror can be a form of exercise, as well as making it less aggressive towards other fish, due to stimulation.
Part 4 of 4: Managing Health Risks
Step 1. Look for signs of illness
It's often easy to tell how a fish is feeling just by looking at it. There are many signs that a fish is sick. Take the occasional time to observe the fish, just to make sure the fish look healthy. This way you can avoid seeing your fish suffer from a disease. A few things to watch out for:
- Loss of appetite
- Swiping against a rock or plant
- Lying on the bottom of the aquarium
- Swim upside down or sideways
- Stool is white
- Color fade
- white spot
Step 2. Take a water sample
Water samples can be analyzed with a home kit purchased online or at a pet store. You can also take a water sample to your local pet store for a professional review. Analyzing water is one of the best ways to determine the origin of fish disease. This can let you know if there is an imbalance in the water that is causing health problems for the fish.
Step 3. Keep the water at 26.7 degrees Celsius
If the water is too cold, the fish can get sick. 26.7 degrees Celsius is the optimal temperature for fish, and less than optimal for many diseases. This can help slow down the life cycle of some diseases, such as ich, as well as help the fish's immune system.
Step 4. Clean the water and aquarium
It may come as no surprise that if your fish are not healthy, it is likely that your aquarium is not healthy either. Take extra care to clean the water, gravel, and aquarium walls when your fish are sick. Do not use detergent, as it can kill fish.
Step 5. Separate your betta from other fish that are sick or could injure it
Betta fish can not only injure and hurt by other fish. Like other animals, betta fish can transmit diseases to each other. It is important to separate the fish in this situation. In this case, a small isolation aquarium is required.
