What Do Bettas Need?

[nikkifro8994]

Hello. I currently have a 5gallon tank that is just sitting there, unused. It has a bunch of ramshorn andpond snails that hitchhiked on my anacharis (also in the tank). It has a smallinternal filter as well. The tank has been set up for 3 months so it had definitelycycled.

I was looking at buying a malebetta to put in. they are beautiful fish and the look so sad in the little cupsin the pet store.

I don’t have a hood for the tank and I know that betasjump. So I need a hood. The water stays 70-75 in the tank. Do I need a heater? Whatelse do I need to purchase before I buy a fish?

Also what should I feed him? I haveheard some say flakes and others say pellets. My guppies get tropical colorenhancing flakes every day and freeze dried bloodworms 3 times a week. Should Ido the same for a betta?

Thanks for your help!

Nikki

 

[-FighterFishh]

A 5 gallon is a nice size for 1 male betta!
In the tank, live plants and plenty of places for him to rest or hide are nice too, not only for while he's settling in, but also since that'd make good places for him to explore and hunt around, too!
A good would be good as, as you said, he might jump out if you don't have one. Also, the extra light might help with plants. Temperature wise, they need it to be around 24 degrees C. I'm not sure what that is in fahrenheit, but if it's below then you should get a heater
Bettas will eat both pellets and flakes, and they also enjoy live foods like blood worm and daphnia as treats. You can also give them cooked, deshelled peas as an aid to constipation, and they'll also help keep the swim bladder in check.
I hope that helps!

 

[lilfishie]

Your tank sounds perfect for a Betta, i would invest in a heater to stop any huge changes, if its not on then its not but its there in case

Some bettas are very fussy eaters, ask your store when your buying what they feed and if he does in fact eat it

 

[Symo420]

Your tank sounds perfect for a Betta, i would invest in a heater to stop any huge changes, if its not on then its not but its there in case

Some bettas are very fussy eaters, ask your store when your buying what they feed and if he does in fact eat it

I agree, my betta wont even give a second look to flakes. He doesn't mind blood worms, but usually he's pretty content with his mini betta pellets. Occasionally he gets a feast of mosquito larve when I do a water change from the old rainwater tank from my yard, if he can beat the tetras to it