Betta fish info please! help!?

Question

ok. So I am going to get a female betta fish this weekend. I have to take care of it, and my parents aren't going to do anything with it. I'm only 14, and so I have some questions. So I am absolutely not going to get a tank with a filter and stuff. I can't keep up with that. I'm just going to get a bowl. The walmart person told me that Betta fish can survive in bowls, so thats what I'm going to do. But also, can I put a heater in a bowl without a filter or something? Just a bowl and heater? And also, do I need rocks or pebbles? I read somewhere betta don't like pebbles. Oh! And do I need like a sculpture or like somewhere for the fish to hide? And what kind of food, and how much a day???? Oh! and the water! How much do I need to change it?? Is once a week good? And I think that's it. Thanks so much!!!! oh! how large of a bowl do I need? haha, thanks again. I just need answers to my questions. Thanks!

Answer 1

I own a betta fish and I'm 14 too.You need to change the water once a week.You can use normal tap water,or you can use water that you buy at the store.You don't need a heater.Really DON'T get a heater.It isn't good for the fish.You don't need sculpture or pebbles or rocks.They arn't necessary.They are only for decoration.Get betta fish food.It is clearly labeled on the container at the store.Just give 1 or 2 pinches of food a day.You don't need a huge bowl.Just a normal size would be good.Hope I helped!

Answer 2

Ok, the one girl is insane. Betta's like a temp between 75-86 deg F. So unless you live in those conditions in your room, or cook the fish in sunlight, a heater will make the betta a lot happier.

In all due respect a Walmart fish keeper is a horrible guide to how fish should be kept. They know hardly anything and their fish are usually in horrible conditions.

A filter is very easy to keep and only needs very minor maintenance. A heater will keep him happy and warm. A tank of at least five gallons is the best. (you can get away with 2.5) The substrate (pebbles and rock) doesn't really matter. Make sure there is nothing reflective near the fish, it will flare and stress itself out.

They do like places to hide, but the smaller you get with the bowl the more cumbersome a decoration becomes. Also the bettas are picky eaters but most like betta pellets. When you bring it home don't feed it the first day as it needs time to adjust to it's new home.

Please consider setting up the tank and letting it settle, with dechlorinator added. Also if you do get a filter, try and cycle the water without the fish first as this will cause him to have less stress.

I know that a fish bowl seems nice, but it's actually been recently found to be very bad for fish. I'm just warning that if you truly love your fish it'll break your heart if s/he dies due to negligence.

Edit: For the water and chlorine you should check your local water regs online and see if you guys just use chlorine or chloramine. If it is the latter you NEED conditioner to break that bond otherwise it will be in the tank and it is harmful to fish. Different people have different statements on here and that is due to the differing levels of water treament their city source needs. BTW, The conditioner breaks the bond between the chlorine and the amine group so that they can be then neutralized by the chlorine binder also included in the conditioner. This cannot naturally occur.

Answer 3

A betta needs a filtered heated tank.  Preferably 5 gallons and a heater that will keep the water at 80F.  You can decorate the tank any way you want but remember that a betta's fins are delicate so try not to get anything that could tear them.

Walmart is the last place to look for advice.  Last week that person was probably selling paint and will be in ladies lingerie next week.  They'll tell you anything you want to hear so you'll go away.

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Answer 4

you seem like your going to make a responsible pet owner... a bowl will be fine they can thrive for years in a bowl with good care... i would not worry about a heater the fishy should be fine with out it. pebbles can help keep the water clear but make sure they are not to sharp because betta have tender fins and they tear easy. same with the sculpture it is your preference if you want one make sure there are no sharp edges. For food i feed mine Wardley brand betta food you can get it at walmart but just about any betta food should do. you should set out some water for a day or so in a bowl or bottle before putting the betta in it to let the chlorine dissipate. and do the same for water your going to put in to the bowl when you clean it. The size of you bowl will determine how often you have to change the water just watch for cloudiness to tell if it need changed. The best way to keep it clean is not to over feed take some time and see how much your betta eats and feed them that much and no extra you can feed 1 or 2 times a day your choice. good luck with your betta i hope every thing goes well.

Answer 5

I'm 12 and I have 5 bettas and 2 hermit crabs (not like my hermit crabs matter right now). I have them in like a bowl about 4 or 5 times bigger than where they came in and they all lived for at least the minimum of 5 months. They are all pretty happy because ALL my bettas get LOADS of attention and love everyday. They even know a couple of tricks :) I would get some gravel because it makes your tank prettier and it'll attract other people to look at your betta and they LOVE attention! I would change the water at least once a week. I would get something for them to hide in so they feel secure. My bettas sleep there when they're not chasing my finger around they're bowl. I give my bettas 3 medium flakes a day and a treat 2 times a week. I bought my bettas the fancy kind. :) You also have to buy a water conditioner to treat the water. The can live in tap water but she'll probably not survive for long :\

I hoped I helped :)

Answer 6

Hey, I'm younger then you and trust me, a filter is WAY easier. I got 1 low maintenance fish in a bowl once, and I had the change the water  once every 2 days and it was gross. With the filter all you have to do is change the cartage thing once in a while. Feed the betta 2 times a day, with fish food from like walmart or something. I would get a small tank, not a bowl, because they are nicer looking and easier. You don't need gravel or pebbles, for all my fish I use gravel but I'm not sure if Betta's like it. You should get a place for your fish to hide if you want to but if you do make sure it's big enough because one of my sister's fish died in a little shipwreck.  

Answer 7

well, my cousin had betta fish that survived 2 whole years! and thats amazing because fish are fragile. bettas like places to hide. if you get 2 do not put them together... they WILL eat eachother...they don't mind fish pebbles. id say that you can change the bowl once a month. every weeek is WAY to much. hope i helped!