Have new Betta

Question
Jaymie,
  I bought my son a betta for Christmas.  I did some research before I did this but just wanted to ask a few questions.
Fire,(he is red), the betta, is in a Mini Bow 2.5 gallon tank. I don't have a heater but I will get one this week. Is this a good size tank?
I want to know what brand you recommend for the blood worms and brine shrimp. I've read some products have parasites in them.
Do I need to cycle the tank?
Do I need to use aquarium salt?
Do I need a filter? This tank came with one, but it seemed
to be bothering him so I took it out.
Anything else I need for the betta named Fire.
Thank you
Vicki

Answer
Vicki,

  2.5 gallons is the absolute minimum they can be in. I am glad you will be getting a heater. He is a tropical fish and needs the water to be between 80 and 82 degrees. The food I give my Betta's I usually get online, but Tetra is a good product. I feed mine Tetra freeze dried blood worms. It is a good idea to give him a variety of foods. All 12 of mine get blood worms, both freeze dried and frozen, brine shrimp, both freeze dried and frozen, flakes, and pellets. I also give them live newly hatched brine shrimp as a treat when I have fry. Do not make the blood worms or brine shrimp their staple food though. Feed him these maybe once a week. Also, once a week feed him a peeled cooked pea. When you do this, do not give him the outer shell of the pea because he cannot digest it. We feed them peas to help in their digesting of foods. It will also help prevent swim bladder disease. Once a week it is a good idea to fast him as well. This aids in digesting what he has before adding more to it. This will also help prevent swim bladder disease. Betta's do not need their tanks cycled since they don't like filters. When you are cycling a tank you are really setting up the filter. So to answer the question about the filter, no he doesn't need it, nor do they like them. Make sure you are testing his water and doing 25% water changes every week and adding a good water conditioner. Some people put salt in the water but I am not one of them. I use salt when my fish are sick or ill. I use the salt before I use medication and so far it has worked good for me. Yes some products have parasites but they are usually found in the live food some people feed their fish. With the freeze dried products, you don't really have that problem. Good luck with Fire and if you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask.