Betta life expectancy

Question
Just wondering how long Betta fish usually live.  Most of the Betta fish I have had have lasted 2 years.  I have kept the tank clean/filters clean.  I only feed him pellets.  He gets his tank light turned on once or twice a day for an hour or so.  My 2nd Betta just died.  Am I doing something wrong?


Answer
Hi Justin,
A betta can live for 3-7 years.  Unfortunately we do not know how old they are when we buy them.  Some have been known to keep them for 8 years.
You are doing good.  I would like to mention a few things that keeps a betta happy.  Unlike what is told us, bettas do need space to swim.  It is a lie to believe that a betta is happy in a small container.  Five (5) gallons is best.  A betta is a tropical fish, and should be kept in 78 degree water.  A cold betta will live, but will die before his time.  A varied diet is important.  He should be given pellets one day, Betta flakes the next, daphnia the next, and bloodworms once a week as a treat.  He should fast once a week, and on that day he should have a well cooked frozen pea.  (Cook the pea until tender, remove the outer layer, and cut into tiny pieces.)  This cleans out his system.  Bettas are known to get constipated, and the once a week pea keeps him from getting constipated, and swim bladder.  Many Bettas die of this disease (Swim Bladder) which is caused by constipation most of the time.  He should have 2-3 small meals a day instead of one big meal.  We must always remember that his eye is the size of his stomach.  Example:  2 pellets for one meal.  
He should have a silk plant in his tank, and some little gadget that he can go through.  Keeping his water clean, free from ammonia, making water changes every week or more depending on the size of the tank, and using a good conditioner keeps him healthy.
   They are intelligent little fish, and I am sorry you lost you lost your little friend. I'm sure you were very good to him.
Lynda