Betta in bowl

Question
Hello,

I have recently purchased a betta for my 10 gallon tank. It is heated, filterd, aerated, well cared for and occupied by a red-tail shark, yo-yo loach and several tetras. When I put my betta in the tank the other fish picked at his fins, ate his food before he got it and scared him into hiding.

I moved him into a bowl, it isn't very big, which has a small plant and colored, plastic rocks for the bottom. I know this is not ideal, but do you think he will do ok in the bowl? He wasn't eating when he was in the tank, and now he is.

I just need some basic advice. Should I get a bigger bowl? Should I get more hiding spots? What about a more natural ground cover? How often and how much water should I change? Is it okay to have him in a bowl or is there a way I can re-adjust him to tank life?

I really hope you can help! He is a very timid betta and will not stick up for himself, otherwise I would never resort to a bowl. If a bigger bowl is what i need, I am more then willing to get one.

Thanks for your time!

From Stephanie

Answer
Hi Stephanie;

Watch the fins for infection and keep the betta as warm as possible. They are tropicals so they need at least 75 degrees all the time. 80 or 82 is even better to help him fight infection and grow those fins back again. It would be great if you could get a small tank for him of 4 or 5 gallons. This is the minimum size tank to have a heater in safely. Heaters are usually thermostatically controlled and come in 25 watts and up. So, get a 25 watt heater for a little tank like 4 or 5 gallons. This should keep him happy and healthy. Once the tank gets through the 6 to 8 week break-in you could even give him a friend or two like a couple of cory cats or platies.

Bettas are community fish but only with mild fish like platies, small types of tetras, danios, cory cats, swords and smaller fish like that. Sharks and loaches just are too much for them because those guys are all fin nippers. Little devils! You will have to get a bigger tank for them soon. Redtailed Sharks get to be 10 to 12 inches long. Pretty nasty sometimes too when they get cramped in a small tank. For now he's okay, but plan on at least a 30 gallon within the next year or less.

Have fun with those guys!

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