Tips on Caring for Siamese Betta Fish

Betta fish also referred to in some areas as Siamese fighting fish can be found in many homes across the world. In fact, they are one of the most popular fish species to have as pets. Part of the reason for their allure as pets is the fact that they have vibrant colors and active lifestyles. Add those factors with the easy maintenance and care that is required by these colorful fish and you have a real winner by the standards of most potential pet owners. They are especially popular pets for those who like the idea of having pets but do not have a great amount of time in which to care for their pets.

Once you bring your betta home you should allow him or her to become acclimated to your home and the environment around him. You should also spend a good amount of time watching and getting to know your new pet. You will be spending a great deal of time with him and he with you so you should take the time to learn his habits and routines. This knowledge will help clue you in if something is wrong or out of the ordinary with your betta.

You should also make sure that they have a jar or bowl that is an adequate size to support them. Surface area is an important factor in the bowl you choose as this is how they get access to oxygen.

While beta fish do not require filtered water they will thrive in clean water so be sure to keep their water clean while avoiding the risk of your finned friend developing some sort of fungal related infection that could have been avoided. You should allow the water to sit out for 24 hours before changing it over so there won’t be any major shock to the fish during the process.

If you’ll refer back to the first paragraph you should realize there is a reason for their other name and be careful not to expose your beta fish to another beta fish. You can however, have betta fish in bowls with guppies, algae eaters, or corydorus catfish without their aggressive tendencies taking over.

In order to remove the debris and sediment that sometimes collects in the bottom of the bowl you can use a turkey baster. Leaving this garbage’ at the bottom of the bowl will promote an unclean and cloudy environment that will begin to smell very bad in time. You should also regularly test the pH of your water. It should be 7.0 at all times. If it isn’t there are things you can purchase at your pet supply store that will restore the proper balance in your bowl. You should also never use soap when cleaning the things that go in your tank as it is very difficult to remove all traces of soapy residue and this can result in the death of your fish.

Another little thing you should remember (well not so little really) is to keep your tank covered at all times. Be sure to allow air in but you do not want your betta jumping out and suffocating and he will if given the chance.

Betta fish have special dietary requirements, as they are meat eaters rather than plant eaters, as most tank fish tend to be. You can use brine shrimp or frozen bloodworms as a special treat for your betta fish in addition to the betta pellets that you will find in your local pet stores.

It is best if you do not use marbles or rocks for decorations in your betta tank as they pose a risk of your fish’s fins getting caught between them. If possible avoid this risk to the health of your fish. You are responsible for the health and well-being of your fish and should take care that you are properly caring for him.

These tips should help you keep your fish safe and happy for many years to come. If you are interested in learning more about Betta fish you can talk to the staff at your local pet store, check out the many sites online that deal with these fascinating fish, or take an outing to the local library in order to read up on them.