Betta Species Tank

Bettas are labyrinth fish - they breathe atmospheric air through a specialized organ and prefer still, warm water. Despite the tragic pet-store trend of tiny cups, bettas thrive in 5+ gallon tanks with gentle filtration, live plants, and stimulating decor. Females can be kept in sororities of 5+; males must always be housed alone with other bettas but can share community tanks with peaceful non-nipping species.

Temperature: 76-82 F. pH: 6.8-7.5. GH: 4-10 dGH. Ammonia: 0. Slow filtration only - strong current stresses long-finned bettas.

Sponge filter or gentle HOB with baffle. 25W heater. LED light (low intensity - bettas prefer dim). Silk plants or hardy live plants (Java fern, Anubias). Hide (cave, coconut half). Betta hammock leaf near surface.

Fine gravel or aquasoil. Smooth decor - no sharp edges that could tear fins. Dark substrate accentuates betta colors.

Fishless cycle for 3-4 weeks before adding the betta. Bettas are especially sensitive to ammonia/nitrite spikes.

Single male betta OR 5+ female betta sorority (with careful monitoring). Tank mates for single male: Nerite/mystery snails, Amano shrimp, kuhli loaches, otocinclus, corydoras (small species). AVOID: fin nippers (tiger barbs), colorful similar-sized fish (male gouramis).

Weekly: 25% water change with dechlorinated water at matched temperature. Every 2 weeks: gravel vacuum. Monthly: rinse sponge filter in tank water.

Housing in tiny bowls (bettas are territorial not solitary in cramped conditions). Strong current from oversized filters. Mixing male bettas. Adding fin-nipping tankmates. Overfeeding (bettas gorge easily).