Looking Into Betta Keeping

[Paticake]

I have recently been thinking about breaking from my usual hobby of coldwater fish keeping (minnows, goldfish, dace...) and trying to keep and possibly breed bettas. I am looking for any advice other than tank sizes. I have a splendid 10 gallon that would be perfect for a single male betta. So, again, any advice and tips would help a lot.

Thanks!

 

[Wildbetta]

A 10 gallon is great for a single male betta!  The other big thing (besides space) is heat.  You need an adjustable heater to keep the tank a steady 78F-82F.  On a tank the size of yours a slow filter is best for cycling the tank and allowing you to not do 100% water changes once a week but 25% water changes.  Live or silk plants are best for bettas so as to not tear their fragile fins.  A "cave" is a good idea to have as well so they can have somewhere to hide in case he feels scared or stressed.  Feed quality pellets as a main staple food and frozen "treats" of bloodworms and/or brine shrimp once or twice a week.  I also recommend at least 1 fasting day a week to help them clean out their system. This is beneficial and helps keep them from being constipated or bloated which are two big problems with bettas.  I do caution against feeding freeze dried or flake foods because of the issues of bloating and constipation which are known to happen with those two foods.  
 
Oh and I almost forgot...you must have a lid that covers the whole top.  Bettas are big jumpers and can fit into the tiniest holes.

 

[attibones]

In addition to what WildBetta has said, try to pick up a piece of driftwood. Soak it for two days so some of the tannins are out of the equation, and then place it in the tank. More tannins will stain the water a bit of a tea color, but this is beneficial for these fish. You soak it for a few days first so that the water is clear enough for you to check on your fish. You can also get Indian Almond Leaves for the same effect.

Some people like to get ping long balls as toys for their betta fish as thy are naturally inquisitive. If you do this, make sure the ball is clean (wash in a white vinegar/water solution at 1:10 parts) and be sure that there is no chance of the fish getting lodged under the ball in a tight space.

Check everything for sharp edges. A betta's fins are exceedingly fragile. And, as I found out the hard way, always be sure there is a guard on your filter intake.

Aside from that, betta fish are really easy and fun to keep.

 

[Paticake]

Thanks for the info!  Did not know about the ping pong balls.  Am definitely gonna try it out!  Oh, and also, what kind of small invertebrates can I keep with a betta?

 

[attibones]

Mostly snails, possibly some shrimp. I've had betta fish who killed all the shrimp friends but wouldn't eat them, ones who ate shrimp friends, and ones who don't even realize they had shrimp friends. If you decide on shrimp, ghost shrimp tend to work as a betta can't see them as well.

 

[Wildbetta]

Snails are great to keep with bettas although there are some bettas that will pick at a snail enough to kill it.  In your tank size you might be able to have some amano shrimp which are a bit bigger and good algae eaters or some ghost shrimp which are another bigger shrimp.  Bettas tend to eat shrimp that are added to their tank so don't be surprised if they disappear.  It is just one of those things since shrimp are a natural food source.  I always added some ghost shrimp which were really cheap and if they got eaten I wasn't upset about it.  

 

[Paticake]

Thanks a ton!