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Any tips for keeping my beta fish happy and healthy?

I just bought him and he's the first pet for which I've been the primary caregiver. He seems ok right now, swimming around, which is nice because for the first couple of hours he just floated in one corner looking scared. How to keep the little guy happy and alive? (besides feeding him, of course.) Oh, I have him in a 1 gallon bowl with gravel on the bottom and a couple of live plants off to the side.

Public Comments

1. 1 gallon bowl is way to small for him. Pls. don't give him bowls, it is a very cruel way. And he is still adapting to his environment, do not worry. CC
2. Keep the water temp consistent Especially when you clean the bowl and add new water Depending on your water, you might need to add chemicals to neutralize it Don't overfeed
3. I'm sorry to say but Betta fish need at LEAST 2.5 gallon TANK not bowl bowls are inadequate for any fish. he also needs a filter and a heater ( or a light which acts like a heater) and plenty of hiding places here would be a perfect tank for him: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3635102 if you have any questions feel free to send me an e-mail swat992
4. do not put a mirror in ther bowl or the same gender in the bowl or they we start frighting
5. Take 1/4 of the water out once a week and add water that has de-chlorinater and is the same temperature as the water in the bowl. In order to get him more active, get a small mirror and put it in his bowl for a couple hours. Don't do this too often because he will get too stressed. There's proof that bettas live longer, some up to 7 years if you feed them twice a week. Good luck!
6. Whatever you do, don't get him company. If you get a male betta, they'll fight until practically death, and if you get a female, they'll mate. And according to what you've said, your little bowl isn't big enough for a betta family.
7. 1 gal bowl with plants and happy 1 drop of beer to jk
8. Sounds like he's off to a good start! Living plants are really appreciated by bettas. A one gallon bowl is fine for your betta, but you may have trouble with the plants unless they are really dwarf varieties. Eventually you'll need to supplement some light for them, too. Keep him healthy by feeding high protein foods...freeze dried bloodworms (Walmart has them) are my betta's favorite. One suggestion: A floating plant will provide the betta with some cover...it seems to make mine feel more secure. He'll probably build a bubble nest beneath it, too, which is fun to watch. And be aware that bettas are good jumpers...an open fishbowl is no problem for one to "escape" out of...so keep him happy in there by making sure the water stays warm and clean.
9. He needs at least 5 gallons, a filter, and a heater. He will also appreciate plants and a cave to swim around and through. Regular water changes, about 25% and a heater are necessary. A filter is necessary unless you do the water change every other day. You can also put some shrimp or small snails in with him in a 5+ gallon tank.
10. no mirror, unless you really want to stress him out If this is your first pet fish, you should have done some research before purchasing him but here are some facts: minimum tank requirement 2.5 gallon with heater and filter feeding: twice a day, with mixed up diet, like bloodworms, pellets and flakes Also fast him one full day outa the week, to prevent constipation temperature: 78-82 degrees lights: leave it on for 10-12 hours during the day, and turn it off for 12-14 hours at night Decorations: nothing that has sharp edges, and they love live plants, they like to rest on them Maintanance: 25% weekly waterchanges with a gravel siphon, and replacing with conditioned water here is also an article for you to read up on http://www.fishlesscycling.com/articles/caring_for_bettas.html Hope that helps Good luck EB