TulsaPets Magazine November 2022

36 TulsaPets • November / December 2022 Survive and Thrive Better Care Aids Betta Fish by Kelsey Warren-Bryant I n the wild, betta fish live in tropical fresh waters in Southeast Asia. They stay near the surface of the water defending their territory, exploring their environment, and feeding on tiny crustaceans and insect larvae. There’s no doubt that these fish also make great household pets. In addition to beautifying any room, they have unique and often feisty personalities. They can even be trained to swim through hoops. However, between setting up the tank, monitoring pH and nitrate levels, and knowing what to feed them, learning to care for a fish can be daunting. Here are some ideas for keeping your betta happy and healthy. Set Up an Ideal Tank Although some pet stores sell products for bettas such as betta cubes or fishbowls, it’s a myth that bettas will thrive in small spaces. As with any animal, bettas need room to roam so they can stay active. Seasoned betta owners recommend a min- imum tank size of 2.5 gallons. Once you have a sizable tank, you will need a filter. Betta fish in the wild live in still, stag- nant waters. Male bettas also have large, weighty fins, not making them the best swimmers. A filter with a gentle setting is needed so as to not stress out your betta. The next step is a heater because betta fish will be uncomfortable in water outside the range of 75 to 80 degrees. Heaters cost about $10 to $15 and can be purchased at most pet stores. Once you have a good-sized tank, a filter, and a heater, the tank needs to be cycled for about a week before you put your betta into the tank. It’s a tough wait, for sure! However, this is necessary for chemical levels in the water to balance out. If you are too anxious to wait the full week, you can speed up the process by purchasing API Quick Start for your tank. Either way you choose, once your tank is filtered, heated, and cycled, it is ready for your betta friend. Once it is cycled and your fish is added, be sure to do a 20 per- cent water change every week to keep those levels intact. Provide an Engaging Environment One of the most challenging parts of tak- ing care of a betta (and honestly, the most fun) is providing a stimulating home for him to live in, for example, decorating the tank. Bettas are accustomed to marshes or rice paddies with lots of plants and hiding places, so live plants are a great choice for your betta. However, if you don’t want the extra maintenance of taking care of live plants, fake ones are great too. This blue male betta enjoys beautiful plants that mimic his natural habitat in the tropical marshes of Southeast Asia.