What Size Tank?

[Man of fish]

What size tank would you put a betta in? I'll start I say 3 or higher. I bought a 5 gallon hex today.

 

[Fishy friend2]

i voted for 3 gallon as the minimum tank size for a betta because i know many people on a betta forum who also agree that 3 gallons is the minimum for a betta, and from my own experience they do much better in a tank that is 3 gallons compared to a 1 gallon tank, i have one of mine in a 3 gallon tank and he is happy as can be,

 

[Man of fish]

i'd do a 2.5 but I really feel 3 is much better.

 

[Man of fish]

If you cast a vote please explain your reasoning so that newbie betta owners don't just think hmm no good reasoning I guess I'll just buy that cheap bowl.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I had my first betta in a 4.5 gallon tank and when he got to full size I felt it was too small for him. So I got him a 10gallon - yes a 10 gallon for one betta but he used the whole tank and he was nice and active. For my second betta he's in a 14 gallon. I do have snails in with them but I like them in those sized tanks as they do swim around and they do use the space.

My best advice is put them in a tank size you will be happy with as someone will always disagree with what you think. I had mine in a 4.5 gallon as I said and I wasn't happy so I upgraded him. Other people happily keep theirs in 1-2gallon tanks and that is their choice. I personally don't think either is wrong, it's up to the fish keeper to decide.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

I voted 5 as a minimum, although I am going against my feelings at the moment. I have two bettas that are each in a 3g heated. I am going to upgrade them, just havent had the money. I have a CT that is in a 10g, but he is MASSIVE.

 

[lilfishie]

for me 3 gal is minimum for a perminant home, i give all my males atleast this, most of the time they have 5 gal each though

i feel a 3gal gives them enough space after heater/filter etc to swim about and its enough volume to keep water stats stable

 

[Man of fish]

I'm hoping my betta when I get him will like the 5 gal hex I bought him.

 

[lilfishie]

am sure he will the only real issue with hexagonal tanks is there tall rather than wide, and bettas being able to breath air ideally need the surface area, that said i've never heard of anyone having problems with bettas in hex tanks

 

[Juggler75]

I've said 8g as I've only ever kept them with other tankmates so 30l is the smallest I've put one in.

 

[Tolak]

No all of the above?

 

[Man of fish]

Should've put that in.

 

[flix_cw]

Nice little vid here of bettas in their natural habitat http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=d38Lo3T3fJI

 

[Man of fish]

That's cool. They look different then the ones we breed here. Lol

 

[pablothebetta]

For me, the minimum would be 5 Gal, though I keep mine in a 7.4 Gal (so I voted for 8 gal).

I used to keep him in a 15L (about 4 Gal) Baby BiOrb and I found it to be rather small for him, though I daresay I don't think the shape helped. Since I put him in his new tank, his behaviour has improved dramatically, from occasionally swimming around the tank and spending most of the time on the substrate to swimming around actively most of the time exploring the plants & decor. I wouldn't like to think of one in a tank much smaller than mine, so it's a 5 gal for me.
I can see how they might be alright in a regular rectangular 3 Gal, though I don't think I personally would do it having seen my bettas behaviour in a larger tank.