Betta Basics 101

The Betta is also known as the "Siamese Fighting Fish" the reason for this is they will fight if housed with each other, Particularly the males.
They dont normally fight to the death like some people say but can leave nasty wounds on each other which can cause other life threatening illness which may kill your beloved fish.
Sometimes Female's can be housed together, but like all fish some can not due to their stubborn female nature

and prefer a tank by themselves or with other kinds of fish.
These guys and gals are very rewarding fish to own and are a must for anyone with limited space. They are best housed in a tank that holds at least 2 Gallons (8 Litres) of water and do require heated water.
Bettas are very loyal are will beg for food, please dont over feed them. I prefer to feed morning and night a small meal consisting on betta pellets, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp.

Please share you storys with us and dont be afraid to ask questions, thats what we are here for reef/flirt.gif

haha Aimee you beat me to it!! I was going to write a care guide, but since we got yours i'll just add to it. Ahemm...

Temperatures:

Bettas do best in a temperature of 75-82 F. Sudden drops or spikes in the temperature can be very stressful to your betta so try to keep it stable. Like Aimee said, heaters are great to have.

Water Changes:

It's highly recommended that you do weekly water changes of 1/3 for 2gal tanks or bigger. 100% weekly water changes for anything less, but if your bowl is a quart/liter or less then 100% daily water changes are a must. Refill with previously treated and aged water of the same temperature. Clean water is the number one preventive to sick fish!!

Foods:

Bettas can be very picky eaters, so if nothing works try live or frozen brine shrimp or blackworms. They may also eat pellets but try to stick with Hikari's betta pellets since they are the best kind. Also pellets expand which can cause problems if overfed, so keep the amount to 3-4 daily. Another type of food they may eat is freeze dried bloodworms and brine shrimp. Feed a small amount of these as they also can cause serious problems if overfed, and if you come across any hard pieces throw them away. Finally you have flakes. I haven't heard much for sucess stories with flakes, so your probably better off with something else.

And finally here's a few things to look out for...

1) Sharp edges on any decor.
2) Having your bowl/tank without a cover (bettas do jump out of their homes)
3) Having your Bowl/Small Plastic Tank close to an edge when you have pets/kids
4) Hungry Cats

You should have put Bettas jump out in bold, lol. I was doing a water change and my red betta decided to hop across the countertop.

Done- Soul-weaver

Thanks Guy and Gal

It was open to additional info, i just thought i would start it off for anyone wanting one but not knowing anything (like me when i started

Aimee

THEY CAN JUMP BARRACKS ALSO

In Brazil, the kids and many teen had or have a Betta, but they can't offer similar or ideal condictions for this jewel.
It's most popular there, the granulated-food, usually they are less energy and proteíns, and it cause in-*test*-('")inal diseases because the fragile Betta's dgestory system.
BUT, hobbiers more informed, look for multi-proteic food, there are few brands with good products like MARAMAR (Brazil), SERA and TETRA (Germany).
And it's easy found live-food lik shripmps and blood-worms...
Usually, Brazilians have uour fishes in 1/2 gallons tanks.

Well, a curiosity for us

also remember a male betta can get along with lots of small fast fish like neons! I love watching a betta chase a neon but can never catch them

Also dont forget a hood!! I was at my friends house when i gave him my red male betta i was breeding and he opened the hood and one of the females jump out and over his tv surprisingly in a cup with coke. Maybe she was thristy??