What is a Betta fish?
Betta splendens, usually referred to as bettas or Siamese fighting fish, are tropical freshwater fish.
Bettas originated from Southeast Asia, and are commonly found in shallow, warm rice paddies and slow-moving streams.
They were later bred for their attractive colors and fin shapes, and have become popular as pets today.
How to keep Bettas as pets?
One of the ways you can keep Bettas happy is to raise them in a friendly habitat.
They require warm, stable water (ideally about 75 – 80°F), clean parameters with low ammonia/nitrite and moderate nitrates.
They should have easy access to the water surface because of their labyrinth organ that lets them breathe atmospheric air, therefore, it’s best to raise them in a filtered, heated tank rather than a tiny bowl.
They prefer warm, dimly lit spaces with broad-leaf plants, gentle flow, soft substrate, and plenty of places to rest near the surface.
You should avoid sharp decorations that can tear their fins.
How long do Bettas live?
With a good water environment and feeding, most Bettas live about 3 to 4 years or more.
5 years is just the average lifespan of Bettas, some could live longer under good conditions, and this starts from the pet store they’re got from, and their husbandry.
For a quality life, you should offer high-quality betta pellets or frozen/live foods formulated for furry friends.
Feed Bettas twice daily, and avoid overfeeding in each session. You should also remove uneaten food – and rotate protein sources for health.
How long can a Betta fish live without eating food?
A healthy adult Betta can live without eating for 10 days without problems when out of food.
Let’s take for example you’re going on a vacation, if you feed Bettas well, they can go for 2 weeks straight, though they may start getting weak after a few days.
Again, juveniles, pregnant or sick Bettas may have a lower survival rate when they’re without food.
The best way to keep them happy is not to keep them without being fed for more than 3 days.
How long can Bettas live without oxygen?
While Bettas need low-oxygen water because of their labyrinth organ, they can not live out of water for too long, or else, they will dry and suffocate.
Without oxygen, Bettas can only live for a few minutes to a couple of hours.
If you expose Bettas to air, the gills should be kept wet so they can get oxygen, and it shouldn’t take a long time before you return them to their pond.
If you’re going to be away for some days, feed your fish adequately a few days before you go, and make sure their tank and water are in favorable conditions.
You can set up an automated feeder and stable heater/filtration before you leave.
FAQS
Why do Bettas flare?
Flaring is a territorial communication as they tend to understand their environment, get vigilant, and hide when other fish want to provoke or harm them.
Do Bettas need a filter?
Yes! While bettas can survive in unfiltered water, a gentle filter keeps water quality stable and reduces disease risk, thus promoting a healthy life.
Do Bettas need a heater?
Yes! Maintaining tropical temperatures is important for this fish. You need to align their water temperature to their natural habitat.
Can they live in bowls?
I’ve said it many times, keeping Bettas in a bowl is not good for their health in the long run, and it can reduce their lifespan.
How to tell when they are happy or sad?
When Bettas are happy, you see them always swim, flare and explore, eat reliably, and show their bright color.
But when a beta is hungry, unhappy, sick or stressed, he will just hide somewhere, clamp his fins, lose his bright color, may stop eating, or display ragged fins.
What makes Bettas different from other aquarium fish?
Bettas can take gulps of air at the surface of the water and tolerate lower dissolved oxygen than many other fish due to their labyrinth organ.
