Betta Question

[KrystaK]

I've kept Betta's before and they are probably my favorite fish species.
I was wondering if it's actually healthy for them to be kept in a .5 gallon tank.
I've heard people complain when I said I had my last one in my 5 gallon because it was to small! But then other people claim that a 5 gallon is plenty of room.
I have a 40 gallon community tank and I was hoping to use my 5 gallon as a fry tank should any fry come along.

Is it alright to go buy one of the .5 gallon starter kits from Walmart? Or should I spring for it and buy one of the more expensive 1-3 gallon kits?..... Actually come to think of it Petsmart has a nice 2.5 gallon basic tank - would a 2.5 gallon be fine for a single male Betta?

 

[LilyRose Tank]

hi, I agree that a half gallon is too small long term. it would be ok for a hospital tank as a treatment for a disease, but not long term. A 5 gallon tank is ideal. I think the least I would keep a betta in is a 5 gallon. the smaller ones could cause stress. As for fry, 5 gallon is also too small. you would need a 200l tank or more ( someone correct me) they may be tiny to begin with, but they need growing room. Plus, male frty need to be separated from each other. so potentially need a spawning tank, a permenant home for both female, and male separately, plus a fry tank.so 4 tanks total.....plus as many as 80 small 2 gallon tanks for each possible male betta fry aged 2 ish months old before selling them.

 

[catfish4ever]

i wouldn't go for any thing smaller than 6 gallons nicely planted.

 

[lilfishie]

as a perminant home 3 gal is minimum in my opinion, i have kept several in 3 gals over the years and they have been fine, obviously if you can get a 5 gal then do

 

[LeiLana80]

I had a 3 gallon heated and fully filtered (with a biowheel) and it was a nice tank for one of my bettas (he died a few months back). I would NOT go any smaller... I currently have my new betta in a 6 gallon, and when I look at the much smaller size of the 3 gallon, I feel bad for putting one of my guys in there! lol
Not sure what I'm doing to do with this 3 gallon now... my conscience has gotten to me!

 

[lilfishie]

^^ Shrimp Tank! I use my 3 Gals for my shy boys that don't like being in the sight of another male, since i keep my males in divided tanks, this is all i really have space for

 

[Blubble37]

+1 SHRIMPIES!!!