Male King Betta

Question

Spike   "Hi, First of all I want to thank you for your time in reading and (possibly)answering my question. I got a Male King Betta fish three weeks ago as a gift. He came in a very small container with a lid and a hole punch sized hole in the top. As a second part of the gift I received a 1/2 gallon sized tank with lid betta kit. It contained the tank, Rocks, fake plant, Nutrafin Betta Plus and Aqueon Betta Food All Natural .96oz

So here (Finally) is my issue:

My fish seems to be unhappy - Or looks unhappy. He stays near the top of the water, and is always looking for food. His bowl is dirty and needs cleaned every day or it is very cloudy. I told the pet store where he was purchased and they said I needed the following to make him happy:
Buy him a 1 to 5 gallon with slow moving water filter
Buy him a light water heater for that size
Buy him a live plant
Buy Betta Vitamins
Buy a female companion fish

For a grand total of $109.46

I have no problems spending this on "Spike" if it is really needed. I am not experienced in fish and I am not sure I want to get a female for him as I don't want a bunch of babies. I love watching him and his first few days he was quite a swimmer and would even take the flaked food right off my finger if I stuck it in his tank but now he just seems so down and sad. Any ideas? Thanks So Much!"

Answer
Hi Starla,
  The fish store advice is mostly good.  He needs a larger tank with some sort of very gentle filter -- a sponge filter will probably work very well. He needs a water heater -- his water temp needs to be up near 80oF, or he will sit still -- he comes from the tropics.

A live plant is nice though not necessary.  The Vitamins are not necessary; just feed him proper fish food. Flake food is fine, though bettas often prefer little pellets.

He absolutely does not NEED a female companion.  He would probably like one, but keep in mind that after the male and female breed, the male will actively drive the female away and in a small tank, he could easily kill her.  

-- Ron Coleman
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
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