How to Care for Bettas
- 1). Set up the betta's tank. Betta fish do not need filters or aquarium heaters. A small circular fishbowl will host the betta fish fine. Fill up the fish bowl with room temperature tap water and leave it out 24 hours before the fish arrives. Use a general fish water treatment solution in the water every time you change the water, to remove chlorine. Follow the directions for the specific water treatment method that each bottle lists.
- 2). Add aquarium stones or plastic gems to the bottom of the bowl. These are mostly to make the fish bowl appear more visually appealing, but they also provide a resting spot for the betta fish and will capture droppings.
- 3). Place a fake aquarium plant somewhere in the tank. Betta fish rest on the leaves of the plants.
- 4). Keep the betta fish in its original bag or container and place it on top of the fish bowl water. This will help ease the change in water temperature for the betta fish when it first arrives. If the water is too cold or too hot, the betta fish could go into shock and die within hours. After an hour, release the betta fish into the tank.
- 5). Feed the betta fish on a daily basis. For the first three months feed the fish twice daily. After this period, the fish only needs to be fed once a day. Purchase freeze-dried betta food specifically made for the fish or visit a specialty shop to purchase live mosquito larvae for the betta fish. Do not overfeed the fish; monitor how much the fish eats after the first couple of days.
- 6). Clean the fish tank at least once a week to prevent algae build-up, to keep the fish healthy. Remove the fish from the tank and place it into a large glass filled with treated tap water set at room temperature. Clean out the tank, remove any stones and rinse them off thoroughly. Fill the tank with warm tap water, treat, and let it stand for an hour. Place the rocks and betta fish back into the tank.
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