Keeping Betta’s
Bowl fish need water and like any other fish the more water the better ... while certain fishes like Betta's can live in small amounts of water ... the probability that something will go wrong and the fish will die is much greater.
Temperature fluctuations, overfeeding and changes in water chemistry are amplified in a small volume of water.
I recommend no less than a one gallon bowl with a hardy aquatic plant or two such as a Java fern. A peace lily is fine but not a substitute for water changes or food as some may think.
Partial water changes are very important ... from 2 - 4 cups of water daily or every time you think of it ... but no less than weekly. However 100% water changes are not good! So unlike chinese food more is not better. :-)
A turkey baster will allow you to remove uneaten food and debris from the bottom of the aquarium. The average life span of a betta is 2+ years but they may live several years longer under ideal circumstances. Male Betta's will fight with each other but females will not.
Male betta's may be kept in a community aquarium ( only one to a tank) with other fishes. If putting a female(s) into an aquarium with a male, provide some floating and bottom plants and rocks to allow the female(s) to escape the males advances should he get over exhuberant.
Bowl fish need water and like any other fish the more water the better ... while certain fishes like Betta's can live in small amounts of water ... the probability that something will go wrong and the fish will die is much greater.
Temperature fluctuations, overfeeding and changes in water chemistry are amplified in a small volume of water.
I recommend no less than a one gallon bowl with a hardy aquatic plant or two such as a Java fern. A peace lily is fine but not a substitute for water changes or food as some may think.
Partial water changes are very important ... from 2 - 4 cups of water daily or every time you think of it ... but no less than weekly. However 100% water changes are not good! So unlike chinese food more is not better. :-)
A turkey baster will allow you to remove uneaten food and debris from the bottom of the aquarium. The average life span of a betta is 2+ years but they may live several years longer under ideal circumstances. Male Betta's will fight with each other but females will not.
Male betta's may be kept in a community aquarium ( only one to a tank) with other fishes. If putting a female(s) into an aquarium with a male, provide some floating and bottom plants and rocks to allow the female(s) to escape the males advances should he get over exhuberant.
Temperature fluctuations, overfeeding and changes in water chemistry are amplified in a small volume of water.
I recommend no less than a one gallon bowl with a hardy aquatic plant or two such as a Java fern. A peace lily is fine but not a substitute for water changes or food as some may think.
Partial water changes are very important ... from 2 - 4 cups of water daily or every time you think of it ... but no less than weekly. However 100% water changes are not good! So unlike chinese food more is not better. :-)
A turkey baster will allow you to remove uneaten food and debris from the bottom of the aquarium. The average life span of a betta is 2+ years but they may live several years longer under ideal circumstances. Male Betta's will fight with each other but females will not.
Male betta's may be kept in a community aquarium ( only one to a tank) with other fishes. If putting a female(s) into an aquarium with a male, provide some floating and bottom plants and rocks to allow the female(s) to escape the males advances should he get over exhuberant.