Betta

Betta splendens

A striking, intelligent fish with real personality — but they need a heated, filtered 5+ gallon tank, not a bowl.

2.5–3 in3–5 years

Habitat

Enclosure

5 gal minimum, heated and filtered

Temperature

76–81°F

Humidity / Water

Freshwater · pH 6.5–7.5

Heating & lighting

Adjustable heater with a thermometer and a gentle filter — bettas can't fight strong currents. Silk or live plants for resting.

Diet

Feed these

Betta pellets
Frozen bloodworms
Brine shrimp
Freeze-dried daphnia occasionally

Never feed

Goldfish food — wrong nutrition
Overfeeding — the #1 cause of bloat
Human food

Feed 2–4 pellets once or twice a day, with a fasting day each week. A betta's stomach is about the size of its eye.

Cohabitation

Can live with

Mystery snails Nerite snails Corydoras catfish Harlequin rasboras (in a large tank)

Never house with

Other bettas — they will fight to the death Guppies — bright, flowy fins get nipped Tiger barbs and other fin-nippers Cichlids like Oscars and Angelfish

One betta per tank, always. Pick calm, dull-colored, short-finned tank mates in a big enough aquarium — or enjoy him solo.