Bettas are among the most interesting and low-maintenance fish you can keep. And their ability to breathe atmospheric oxygen and live in very small volumes of water allows them to be housed in a variety of small aquariums that can complement any home or office. However, there are some important considerations to keep in mind when searching for the perfect tank for your betta pet. Read on as we discuss these issues and our own thoughts on what to look for in a small betta tank.
Characteristics of the best Betta fish tanks
1) Suitable size
Yes, it is true that a betta can live in a small bowl, if necessary. But this is not the most satisfying life for such a majestic fish. Also, very small bowls are prone to heating up and cooling down extremely quickly, as well as quickly suffering from contamination that can easily occur with even slight overfeeding. As a general rule of thumb, we suggest a minimum tank size of one gallon for keeping an adult betta. Of course, your betta would be happy if you provided a larger aquarium, but a gallon container is usually sufficient as long as it is diligently maintained. Bettas can also be housed in community tanks, but be careful not to keep them with fish that tend to bite their fins. For example, tiger quills are notorious for fin biting and will shred a betta’s fins very quickly. Unfortunately, crushed fins are not just a cosmetic problem, and a betta with severely broken fins can easily die from stress and/or secondary infections such as ick/fungus.
2) A good fitted cover
Bettas are not what I would consider great “jumpers” but they can and will jump when given the chance. Sometimes osmotic or other stress will cause them to jump, and other times they will just because they can. To minimize any risk of such a leak, for whatever reason, do yourself a favor and put a lid on the tank. However, be careful to leave some air space between the surface of the water and the deck, as they are air breathers and need to swallow air from time to time.
3) No strong currents or movement of water
This is a consideration that I often see overlooked, especially in some of the smaller betta tanks. Bettas have evolved to thrive in still or stagnant water where there is little to no current. And, as a consequence of this design, they are not happy when subjected to drafts typically generated by back-hung filters or powerful aeration. Bettas require calm or very calm water. They do not require aeration of any kind, especially when properly kept and in a tank by themselves. If using a filter, make sure the tank is large enough (eg, 3 gallons or more) or that the filter can be adjusted (eg, an air release valve on an aquarium pump) so the betta does not need to make an effort to maintain its position in the water column. If your betta is pushed or struggles to stay still, it will constantly stain the fish which can eventually lead to illness or death.
4) Bare soil or fine substrates
Bettas do not need or want any substrate in their tanks. In fact, bare bottom tanks are better for you and your betta as they make cleaning easier. However, if you want to add some colorful gravel, keep it sparse and opt for relatively small types of grit, rather than the large marble-sized gravel often sold for small decorative bowls or tanks. Very coarse gravel is a great trap for uneaten food, which then breaks down and causes potentially lethal ammonia spikes. Finer gravel (pea-sized or smaller) allows fish to reach food that falls to the bottom, and still allows you to see when uneaten food remains and needs to be removed, which is better for your fish.
5) Regular Light Cycles
Fish, like most vertebrates, react strongly to light cycles. As a species that lives near the equator, your betta will expect a photoperiod of approximately 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. If you don’t use artificial lighting, you don’t need to provide any, but avoid turning lights on late at night when your fish is preparing to “sleep.” Also, try to buy a tank that uses LED lighting. LED lights are by far the most efficient and long-lasting type you can buy, and they also generate the least amount of unwanted heat.
6) Warm temperatures
Unlike goldfish, for example, which can thrive in very cold water, bettas are a very tropical fish. In their native Southeast Asian waters, they rarely experience temperatures below 76 F. Consequently, you should always try to keep your bettas at a minimum temperature of 72 F, with a temperature of 78 F being ideal. cooler temperatures for short periods, but prolonged exposure to water temperatures below 72F makes them torpid and highly vulnerable to infection and disease, particularly fin rot, ticks, and fungus.
7) Individual Housing
Although female bettas can be kept together, males cannot be kept with other males or females. The only exception to this rule is if you are attempting to breed bettas, in which case the male will tolerate the female (reluctantly) only until the eggs are ugly, after which he will attack and kill her if the tank is not large enough. big. so that she would escape her line of sight.
8) Good water quality
Whatever you do, you need to keep a betta’s water clean. This means that periodic water changes must be carried out, which involves removing any debris from the bottom of the tank. A good rule of thumb is to change 30-50% of the water per week. This keeps the water fresh without changing things too drastically. Be sure to use chlorine-free water, and try to match the temperature of the new water to the old water.
9) Placement in a quiet area, away from direct light
You wouldn’t want to live next to a 6 lane highway, and neither would your betta, so keep the tank somewhere away from heavy traffic. It’s hard enough living your life in a small clear container, don’t make things more stressful by locating the tank where your betta will be subjected to constant movement and/or vibration. Also, locate the tank away from direct sunlight, which can cause rapid temperature spikes and encourage algae growth.
10) Simplicity!
If you’ve chosen a sufficiently sized tank, keep the betta solo, maintain proper temperatures, and continue with regular water changes, there isn’t much else you need. Beware of sellers who try to sell lots of accessories for beta-only tanks, like fancy filters, lighting, etc. These things are usually unnecessary.