how long could a Siamese Fighter live with no filter but big water changes?

well i know that some live 3+ years and this should be in the betta section

Most normal betta's are so imbred they don't normally live long, wild one's are likely to live longer.

That depends on tank size, actual size of water changes, temperature, genetics, diet etc... There is no reason it should live any less than the usual life expectancy though, in fact, probably longer than bettas in community tanks due to no tank mates and no current.

What size tank you got for it? Bettas are hardy fish but that's no excuse for keeping them in less than ideal conditions. I guess there's no heater either, as these really are tropical fish and should be kept as such. Just remember that without filtration, if something goes wrong, it will go wrong very quickly.

I have a tiny but effective filter in my 18l (4gal ish)coldwater tank for my one goldfish who is thriving better now than he ever was with no filtration. The water is better for him as there are no growth inhibitors kept in the water and he is now almost to the size where i should get a bigger tank! And i've had him for about 5 years now!!!

Yes, but goldfish prduce truckloads of ammonia more than a betta. There's no comparison.



If you think that only outgrowing a 4g after 5 years is some sort of acheivement, you are very much mistaken. That is pretty horrendous.

i tend to disagree with you oohfeeshy
(sorry for goign off topic D4N)
but if this gold fish was kept in not the best of conditions befor MHunt had him/her then this could of slowed down its growth maybe even stuinted it , we just dont know.many gold fish dont even grow to full potential in my experiance even when they are kept in huge outside ponds in the best of conditions .

as for the betta D4N i dont know the life expectancy of them but they should lead a fairly longish life with the right tank conditons and diet.

This post has been edited by b.c.f.c: Aug 3 2006, 07:27 PM

That is my point, if MHunt thinks that outgrowing a tank that incredibly small for a fish like that in 5 years is some sort of acheivement, then he obviously has no idea of how quickly goldfish should grow, of indeed, how to look after them properly.

Where bettas are concerened, having a filter can constitute as less than ideal conditions as with all that finnage and (even though obviously this doesn't apply much) coming from an area with no water movement either it gives them a lot of a hard time.

i do agree there , gold fish shouldnt be in a 4 gal for that amount of time but this is off topic and i dont mean to highjack D4N's post so il end it there

Back on the Betta - my brother kept one in pretty adverse conditions (he even had some sort of fungus growing on the surface of the water) that lived over 4 years.

It regularly went long periods without food, and water changes were never more frequent than a couple of months apart. it was in an unfiltered,uncovered tank in the kitchen, so god only knows what sort of chemicals itwas exposed to as well.

I am not condoning these conditions, but only state this to show how hardy they can be. My brother has been educated now since I found out about this . I was previously under the impression it was being better cared for than that.

I've had bettas in with filters and the reasons for them passing away had nothing to do with stress from the current. Mine swim right into the current to go after food, so it must not bother them too much. But I do have the flow blocked a little so it's not as strong as it should be.

My next door neighbor had a betta in a vase (no plant) that lived to be four years old. She did twice weekly water changed with bottled water and fed him every day. I think that was amazing, personally. Four years for a "domesticated" betta is a great age.

I think you guys were missing the point of my post. My goldfish has not grown substantially in the time it has been in just a goldfish bowl. Adding a filter has given it a new lease of life. I have even considered using that tank to house a betta as a species tank if i can find a heater that is small enough.

I used the slightly improved living quaters of my goldfish to demonstrate the fact that keeping a fish in a better environment is better for the fish and produces a better quality fish!

ive had bettas live for about 5 years without a filter or heater just use distilled water and you should be ok

You are probably best getting a heater as temperatures here in the UK are forever fluctuating. At least you'll be able to keep the tank at a regular temperature.
As for a filter, many people keep Bettas without them but I do prefer to use one for mine. I've got it so it creates virtually no flow and they are perfectly happy.

hay umm wat a are bubble nesst i have one male crowntail in a little tank any1 got anthing 2 say

Bubblenests look like a bunch of small bubbles on the surface of the water. Bettas make them when they want to mate, or are happy.
Also, how big is this little tank?
It should be at least one gallon.

Hi D4N,

if betta live in good fishtank, it can live 8-9 years. Also don't use filter for Bettas. Because Betta fishes don't like actionly water. Betta water must be calm. Also if you change water, you can change only %20 water. hmmm... average 1 month or 1,5 month only change %20 water. if water don't dirty, you can wait some month. also pls add some plant. java moss, eledoa and cabomba ... i dont know good english, i wish you are understanding me

This post has been edited by cheliq: Jul 19 2007, 08:58 AM