Introduction
So you’ve decided you want to set up a Betta fish aquarium! Good for you – they make beautiful, low-maintenance pets.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the basics of setting up a Betta fish aquarium, from choosing the right tank and equipment to adding water and gravel.
We hope you enjoy your new aquarium – and don’t forget to check out our other posts on Bettas for more tips and advice.
Betta Fish (also called Betta splendens or the Siamese fighting fish). Betta fish are stunning and elegant with vibrant colors. Betta fish are one of the most famous freshwater fish and are surprisingly ideal for beginner and veteran fish keepers because of their colorful appearance and vibrant personalities. They do not demand much maintenance, and their behavior is fascinating and impressive, which is best for beginners.
Why Betta Fish Make Great Beginner Pets
First, they are easy to care for. Bettas can thrive in a wide variety of water conditions, so you don’t have to be an experienced fish keeper to keep them healthy and happy.
Second, they are small and relatively inexpensive. Bettas don’t require a lot of space, and you can buy a basic starter kit for around $30.
Finally, they are interesting to watch. Bettas are colorful and active fish, and they love to explore their surroundings. This makes them great pets for people who want a little more excitement in their lives.
What You’ll Need to Set Up Your Aquarium
Here’s a list of what you’ll need to get started with your very own betta fish aquarium:
1. Aquarium – You’ll want something at least 10 gallons in size to give your betta fish room to swim.
2. Filtration system – You’ll need some type of filtration to keep the water clean. This can be an internal or external filter.
3. Heater – Bettas like water that is around 78 degrees Fahrenheit, so you’ll need a heater to keep the temperature consistent.
4. Thermometer – You’ll want to be able to monitor the temperature of the water, so a thermometer is a must-have.
5. Decorations – Betta fish like to swim and hide, so you’ll want to add some decorations to your aquarium. This can be either live or artificial plants, or rocks and driftwood.
6. Aquarium food – You’ll need to feed your betta fish a high-quality diet, so make sure you have some food on hand.
7. Water conditioner – This is essential for keeping the water in your aquarium healthy for your betta fish.
How to Set Up Your Betta Fish Aquarium
The first step is to gather your supplies. This includes the tank, the cover, the gravel, the water conditioner, and of course, the Bettas.
Once you have all of your supplies, it’s time to set up your tank. The first thing you’ll want to do is Rinse the tank and the cover with warm water. Next, add enough gravel to cover the bottom of the tank. Add water conditioner (following the directions on the bottle) and mix until it’s dissolved.
Now it’s time to add your Bettas! We recommend adding two fish for every gallon of water in your tank. Gently place them in their new home and give them some time to adjust. Don’t forget to add a top to your tank so they don’t jump out!
How to Choose the Right Betta Fish for Your Aquarium
When it comes to choosing a Betta Fish, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. The first is your aquarium size – Bettas need plenty of space to swim around, so make sure you select one that will be comfortable in your tank.
You’ll also want to choose a Betta that reflects your personality and style. Are you looking for a colorful fish with lots of personality? Or maybe a sleek and sophisticated fish is more your style.
Keep in mind that some Bettas can be quite active, so if you’re looking for a more low-key fish, be sure to select one that’s suited for your lifestyle.
There are numerous variations that betta fish are usually categorized by their colors, patterns, and tail type. There are many types and colors; you just need to discover the one you desire the most. Below are common and popular variations, so you can easily find them anywhere.
Tail Types
Tails can have multiple variations, from long and flowing to short and neat. Body patterns can also differ; there are multi-colored patterns to single-body designs. Yet, it’s their color that is the most notable feature.
The different names usually give a concept of the tail shape, from the most typical such as veiltail, crowntail, and Halfmoon.
Crowntail Betta
The crowntail Betta is one of the popular freshwater bettas. The fins of crowntail have a long spiky crown formation. While the males exhibit striking colors with long fins and tails, females have more delicate shades and shorter tails.
Veiltail Betta
This tail type is commonly available and comes in many different color variations. The male of this kind has a long, flowing, and plunging tail. Females usually have lighter colorations and short fins and tails but occasionally have distinctly brilliant colors.
Elephant Ear Betta/Dumbo Betta
Elephant Ear Bettas, or Dumbo Bettas, have an endearing fantastic shape with bright, uncommon colorations; the fins of this variation are amusing. This is a unique fish; its unique feature is its pectoral fins.
Colors
Betta Fish might have consistent colors, standard colors are noticeable, but some will be a mix of various colors. Betta has most rainbow colors; some will be black, yellow, white, blue, green, and more.
Blue Betta Fish
Choosing a blue betta fish is not as simple as others think, but this is not always the case. There are many diverse shades of blue everywhere.
The most common colors are the Royal Blue Betta, a lively and alluring coloration exhibiting a rainbowy bright hue of blue.
Black Orchid Betta
The black orchid betta fish has a dark overall coloration. An impressive attribute of the black variation is that this group can diverge into three types: Melano, Black Lace, and Metallic. This fish has varicolored scales, is translucent, and is nearly like the color of copper.
Red Betta Fish
Red is the dominant color in Betta Fish. Usually surfacing as a striking and full-bodied red color, sometimes this red can appear washed off too. Fish with red color are assumed to be lucky and bring good luck to the owner.
Yellow Betta Fish
Yellow Betta Fish is also a prevalent color found. This fish commonly shows an entire decadent body with yellow coloration extending along with the fins and tail. This can have multiple yellow shadings, from dark yellow to a more soft yellow coloration.
White Betta Fish
These bettas are wholly white. Regardless, even though the coloration may appear pale, they are magnificent with the right tail type- long flowing plunging tails are stunning, even if it’s entirely white.
Patterns
The final way to categorize the various Betta fish types is through their pattern. Colors can be set in multiple patterns on their body and fins, creating this fish so phenomenal and admired across the fishkeeping community. Some of the color patterns have been carefully picked over the years by picky breeding.
Dragon Scale Betta
The Dragon Scale Betta Fish has a powerful, full-bodied color with body scales comparing those of a dragon. This pattern is trendy for its bright, one-of-a-kind metallic coloration.
Butterfly Betta
The Butterfly Betta is another familiar pattern and somewhat unique. Naturally, it has a solid body color that extends to the fins and tail. This color unexpectedly stops and is substituted by a paler and pearlescent shade; the fins and tail are white or translucent. Another pattern is to have one color, and the inside of the fins and tail become transparent around the edges.
Marble Betta
Marble Bettas are also widely known as they have a remarkable color variation. Their colors appear spotted and inconsistent, but constantly with a light pale solid body color creating a pattern. Fins can show a marvelous marble-like design.
The most pleasing thing about this type is that they evolve their coloration over time. Occasionally, a distinct color occurs over a week. But this ability will slow down as the fish ages.
What To Feed Your Betta Fish
There are a few different types of food you can feed your Betta fish. The most common is flake food, which can be found at most pet stores. Pellets are another option, and usually come in a variety of sizes to suit Bettas of all different ages. Live food is another popular choice, and can include things like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and Daphnia.
If you’re looking for a convenient and affordable option, we recommend going with flakes or pellets. They’re easy to find and typically last a long time. If you want to give your Betta fish a little bit of variety, try incorporating some live food into their diet a couple times a week.
How To Keep Your Aquarium Clean
A big part of keeping your aquarium clean is making sure you’re doing water changes often and that you’re using a good filtration system.
Water changes are key to keeping your aquarium healthy – we recommend doing a 20% water change every week. You can use a siphon to do this (which is included in our AquaNerd Beginner’s Kit), or you can simply pour the water out and replace it with fresh, cold water.
It’s also important to use a good filtration system to help keep the water clean. We recommend using an AquaNerd Internal Filter in your aquarium, as it does an excellent job of filtering the water and keeping it healthy for your fish.
Conclusion
Having a Betta fish can require patience and lengthy research, but it’s worth it. Build a safe and create a relaxing space for your Betta fish that recreates the fish’s realistic environment as much as possible. Taking adequate care of your betta benefits the fish and you.
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