In this brief guide, we’ll address the search query: “What size should a betta fish tank be?” Also, we’ll explore what a betta fish is, what its diet entails, and what are some guidelines for caring for a betta fish
What size should a betta fish tank be?
A betta fish tank should have a minimum capacity of 3 gallons (11.35 liters), but the ideal capacity is 5 gallons (18.9 liters).
To guarantee a betta fish an ideal quality of life, many advisory pages and authors recommend a five-gallon enclosure. A betta fish’s quality of life will have a direct impact on its longevity, and therefore, housing it in a reduced tank can directly affect your investment, both financially and as a pet owner.
However, an appropriately-sized enclosure should also contain some degree of decor that’ll stimulate their innate curiosity. This may include ornaments such as pebbles, plants, lighting, and a dome or a shape into which they can swim in and out.
What is a betta fish?
A betta fish (Betta splendens) alludes to a colorful type of fish that may also be known as siamese fighting fish or labyrinth fish. They’re not a pet for amateur pet owners, but interestingly, are among the oldest domesticated fish types.
They’re easily distinguishable due to their colorful, decorative fins, and their aggressive tendencies.
Originally, it was a common sport for people in Southeast Asia to gather around Betta fish tanks and watch them spar, though this activity is now outlawed.
Since the 1300s, they’ve been bred in captivity, and as a result, their signature traits have been. enhanced through selective breeding.
However, there are a lot of misapprehensions surrounding these fish, as they have specific needs, which if they’re not met, can significantly deter their quality of life, and as a result, shorten their lifespans.
What is the diet of a betta fish?
Betta fish are carnivores, and the bulk of their diet is therefore made up of animal protein.
The diet of a betta fish in the wild consists of tiny arthropods, such as plankton, crustaceans, and larvae of many waterborne arthropods (such as naiads).
In captivity, the diet of a betta fish may be significantly different. Betta owners may feed them with pellets of formulated high-protein feed, flakes, or even live food such as brine shrimp.
A common, novice mistake is attempting to supply beta fish with a plant-based diet. This diet will deter their health by denying them the necessary amounts of protein their metabolism requires, along with other essential nutrients that they can only source from animals.
We, therefore, encourage our readers who are looking to purchase a betta fish, or otherwise become betta fish owners, to do the appropriate research and make the necessary arrangements to fulfill their dietary needs.
What are some guidelines for caring for a betta fish?
Basic guidelines for caring for a betta fish include procuring a proper enclosure, addressing its nutritional needs properly, and consulting any doubts regarding its health or anomalous behaviors with a veterinarian.
As we’ve stated above, an appropriately-sized enclosure is important for a betta fish’s health. They’re an exploring type of fish and require stimuli to have a proper quality of life. An ornate enclosure can provide this, and males should not be housed together, as betta fish are fiercely territorial and can come to blows.
Depending on each fish’s temper, their scuffles can last until one is severely injured, or even killed. Therefore, males should be housed in separate tanks.
The quality of the water they’re housed in is also of paramount importance. Waters that are of subpar quality (both chemically and biologically) can deter their health. Water that has noxious microbes present in it can trigger ailments such as swim bladder disease and fin rot.
Water that is also of subpar quality can lead to betta fish being infested with ectoparasites.
Pet owners that are disenchanted with their betta fish should not release them into the wild, at the risk of them affecting their new environments by adding pressure to food supplies, or possibly bearing diseases and infecting local fish.
Despite their popularity and somewhat ubiquitous nature, betta fish are a far cry from what one would call beginner fish, and their care requires both effort and detail.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we’ve addressed the search query: “What size should a betta fish tank be?” Also, we’ve explored what a betta fish is, what its diet entails, and what are some guidelines for caring for a betta fish
References
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/facts/betta-fish
https://pets.webmd.com/what-do-betta-fish-eat
