Required, Recommended, And Optional List Of Equipment To Keep Bettas

[SamB]

Here's a list of VITAL equipment to keep a betta as I understand:

• 3-5+ gallon tank
• 
  Heater
  
• 
  Filter (adjustable preferred or sponge)
  
• 
  Silk or live plants (some broad leaf and floating are a plus since they rest in them)
  
• 
  A hood
  
• 
  A decent light so you can grow plants
  
• 
  A timed socket so your betta gets a regular schedule of light on and off
  
• 
  Betta pellets (3-5 daily. Some prefer pre-soaked pellets)
  

Preferred / recommended:

• 
  Indian Almond Leaves or Betta Spa
  
• 
  Sand (since my betta likes to chill out on the bottom of the tank, I prefer sand since I know it wont rip his fins)
  
• 
  A toy of some sort (mine like ping pong balls)
  
• 
  A background (they may flare at it at first but it makes them feel more secure and like they have less territory to defend)
  
• 
  Frozen (thaw before serving) blood worms for varied diet and health
  
• 
  15 minutes of your time daily of interaction
  
  
  

Optionals

• 
  A tank mate (more for you than the betta) in 5-10 gallons options are: Shrimp (some of the smaller ones may be eaten occasionally, but that's a tasty and healthy snack for your betta
  
  ), snails, african dwarf frogs. In 10-20g tanks you can keep Ottos (in groups of 6 or more) and start introducing tetras of various sorts, mollies, platties, corydoras etc. and all of the previous. It all depends on the individual betta on what he can be housed with. I have had a betta that picked on my corydoras and a betta that I truly believe could live quite happily with another betta (not that I will ever test this)
  
• 
  A betta hammock. Some bettas use this, and some don't (mine don't use theirs)
  

That's all I can think of for now really

 

[Man of fish]

Very nice, this is sure to be a helpful resource to Betta beginners! Pin it!

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Agreed, get it pinned!
Great list! One question...can Ottos really go in a 5 gal with a Betta?

 

[SamB]

I would think that 2 would be fine with one betta? I might be incorrect, but my ottos are not very active and are great algae munchers. 

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Hmm, hopefully someone will be able to confirm  
I thought they had to be in groups of at least 3? 

 

[SamB]

I have two that seem happy. They don't interact with each other. I also feel that you could house 3 ottos and a betta in 5 gallons with regular water changes if it was cycled and planted

 

[SamB]

 
Here's a list of VITAL equipment to keep a betta as I understand:

• 3-5+ gallon tank
• 
  Heater
  
• 
  Filter (adjustable preferred or sponge)
  
• 
  Silk or live plants (some broad leaf and floating are a plus since they rest in them)
  
• 
  A hood
  
• 
  A decent light so you can grow plants
  
• 
  A timed socket so your betta gets a regular schedule of light on and off
  
• 
  Betta pellets (3-5 daily. Some prefer pre-soaked pellets)
  

Preferred / recommended:

• 
  Indian Almond Leaves or Betta Spa
  
• 
  Sand (since my betta likes to chill out on the bottom of the tank, I prefer sand since I know it wont rip his fins)
  
• 
  A toy of some sort (mine like ping pong balls)
  
• 
  A background (they may flare at it at first but it makes them feel more secure and like they have less territory to defend)
  
• 
  Frozen (thaw before serving) blood worms for varied diet and health
  
• 
  15 minutes of your time daily of interaction
  
  
  

Optionals

• 
  A tank mate (more for you than the betta) in 5-10 gallons options are: Ottos, shrimp (some of the smaller ones may be eaten occasionally, but that's a tasty and healthy snack for your betta
  
  ), snails, african dwarf frogs. In 10-20g tanks you can start introducing tetras of various sorts, mollies, platties, corydoras etc. and all of the previous. It all depends on the individual betta on what he can be housed with. I have had a betta that picked on my corydoras and a betta that I truly believe could live quite happily with another betta (not that I will ever test this)
  
• 
  A betta hammock. Some bettas use this, and some don't (mine don't use theirs)
  

That's all I can think of for now really
 

 
 
Have requested an edit regarding keeping ottos. 7  gallons plus is recommended in groups of three or more

 

[Chad]

I made your edit above.
 
Just to comment on it: The main issues with ottos and tank size are water quality and food. Ottos are one of those fish I don't keep even though I love them. The main reason in my case is that I can't keep them fed. Part of this is because my tanks are always low algae and generally have other algae eaters that are more aggressive. So what happens is they can't get enough on their own and can't compete well for the supplimental food.
 
SOOOOO...in a betta tank...where the betta isn't competing with them and where you keep the water nice and clean...I actually feel 5 gallons isn't out of the question for 3 ottos.

 

[SamB]

Thanks Chad!
 
I see what you mean about keeping them fed, in my case they're my only algae eaters (2 in a 20 keeps them fed ok for now!).
 
I guess the question is.... should the post read 7 gallons plus..?

 

[Chad]

It's your post.
 
I would put them in the 10-20 range myself but really that could just be based on my experience with them and not a general rule.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Personally, I prefer them in larger groups than just 3... more like 6+...

 

[Chad]

So you would say minimum in groups of 6 or more?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Yup, I would.  
 
I didn't used to think so, but a few months back I saw a video of otos in a huge tank, about 100+ of them.  Their behavior was unlike anything I've ever seen from them before.  They moved like a hoard of locusts.  It was amazing to watch.  I've since lost where that video went.  (I think someone posted a link to it somewhere on the TFF, honestly.  But I can't find it now.)

 

[Chad]

That is quite cool. But that does up the minimum tank size.

 

[SamB]

Chad, could you please edit the post to reflect this discussion? Lets move ottos to the 10-20 gallons + section with 6+ ottos. And I will start to think about how to get my guys some buddies.