Three Steps to Happy and Healthy Betta Fish

The Betta fish is a beautiful fish characterized by good looks, rich colors and dramatic fins. A unique fish, they “breathe” by sticking their mouths to the surface of the water and take in air. Making them even further unique is that unlike most fish, Betta fish have personality and even wave their tails. Buying, taking care of and even breeding Betta fish, can become addictive. However, for all their positive attributes, Betta fish are very difficult to care for and die easily.

Caring for Betta fish, can prove very frustrating. Common complaints include the Betta fish’s refusal to eat for days, fins splitting and never healing, persistent fin rot and the difficulty of keeping the water clean. However, caring for Betta fish does not have to be complicated. In fact, armed with the right information, and the current techniques, Betta fish can be very low maintenance and inexpensive to take care of. Below are three tips to help you keep your Betta fish, happy, healthy and alive!

1. Watch the Company Your Betta Fish Keeps: Mal Betta fish, unless under the proper conditions, can not cohabit. Betta fish are “fighting fish” and males will fight to the death. Female Betta fish can cohabit as long as there are more than 2. Betta fish should also be kept away from aggressive fish and fancy Guppy. They oftentimes mistake the guppy’s fin for a male Betta fish and will attack.

2. Keep the Water Coming: Betta fish, like most fish like large spaces. There should be at least 2 gallons of water for every 1 Betta fish.

3. Beware of Brand New Fish Tanks: Brand new fish tanks can often contain high levels of ammonia. Check with the salesperson for cleaning options.

Betta fish are beautiful and lively fish. They just require knowledgeable care. Do your research before buying and/or breeding Betta fish, so that you do not waste your investment. A very good guide to Betta fish care can be found here: Betta Fish Care

Roxanne Manning runs a Betta fish related blog. For Blog fish care tips please visit http://Betta-Fish.blogspot.com Betta Fish Care