| A Betta fish is a beautiful freshwater fish that | | | | don't overfeed this fish. Don't leave any uneaten |
| comes in extraordinary color patterns. It is one of | | | | food in the bowl. They can be fed freeze dried |
| the most inexpensive fish to keep and doesn't | | | | brine shrimp or freeze dried blood worms. They |
| need much care at all. You will have a healthy fish | | | | don't usually like freeze dried worm cubes or flake |
| if you follow these simple care requirements. | | | | food though. There are many foods sold at pet |
| The Betta fish is one of the most well known | | | | stores specifically for Bettas. Any of these will do. |
| aquarium fish. It comes in many colors including | | | | Be sure to clean your fish bowl once a week if |
| red, blue, purple, green and white. The males have | | | | you don't have a filter on it. For the water in the |
| much brighter colors than females and also have | | | | tank, start with tap water and add a product that |
| longer fins. Bettas are originally from Thailand, | | | | removes chlorine. Follow the directions on the |
| Malaysia, Indonesia, parts of China and Vietnam. | | | | package. Also add one teaspoon of aquarium salt. |
| They are usually found in very shallow waters, | | | | Make sure any water you add to the bowl is the |
| such as rice paddies and shallow ponds. Bettas can | | | | same temperature as the water in the bowl. |
| live to be two or three years old. | | | | Keep a lid on the bowl because the Betta can |
| Bettas may look like regular fish, but they are | | | | jump out if you don't have one on. Just make |
| actually very different. Unlike most fish, the Betta | | | | sure that there are holes in the lid so the fish can |
| breathes air by going up to the surface of the | | | | get air. It is also good to have a live plant in the |
| water. This makes them very easy to keep | | | | fish bowl. Bettas love to rest on plant leaves. |
| because it is not necessary to have any airpump, | | | | They even have a plant called "Betta Bulbs" that |
| filtration, or aeration at all in their tank. They do | | | | you can use. If you put a plant in the bowl, you |
| well in small bowls; you won't have to buy a large, | | | | will need to have gravel. Gravel gets dirty easily |
| expensive aquarium for this fish. | | | | so you must be sure to clean it regularly. If the |
| You must be sure not to keep two male Bettas | | | | tank gets dirty, your Betta will get sick. |
| in a tank together because they will fight to the | | | | The Betta is a tropical fish, so keep the bowl in a |
| death. Females can be kept together though. | | | | warm spot. They like to be in temperatures |
| Many people think that Bettas cannot be kept | | | | around 75 to 80 degrees. Just don't put the bowl |
| with any other fish but this is not true. Male | | | | in direct sun or in a drafty spot. |
| Bettas and female Bettas can be kept with other | | | | If you follow these simple requirements for this |
| peaceful fish species. Just don't put them in with | | | | fish, it will be healthy and happy. Bettas are |
| any aggressive fish that may nip their fins. | | | | absolutely striking fish to watch. You will surely |
| Bettas must be fed once a day. Be sure you | | | | enjoy this fish! |