Aquarium for bettas: care and maintenance, how to care, what’s wrong with small (mini) and round ones, how to need it, how to set it up, start-up, plants and algae, prepare, volume

Profile containers for cockerel

Bettas have been widespread in many countries for a long time, so in order to avoid the hassle of choosing the right aquarium for these fish, special profile tanks were created specifically for bettas. They take into account the characteristics of character, color, activity, so the fish feel comfortable in them. This aquarium is a rectangular aquarium, approximately equal in length and height. The built-in overhead lighting emphasizes the brightness of the color. More often in the center there is a large snag or a stone mound.

For the joint keeping of not one, but several fish of the same sex, an aquarium with separated sections is used. Each of them usually houses a female. And the rivals, constantly seeing each other, show off, straighten their fins, but because of the partition they are not able to fight and get injured.

Description

The cockerel is a labyrinthine fish from the family of macropods.
The peculiarity is that it receives oxygen not only through the gills. The cockerel swallows air into its mouth, and thanks to a special respiratory organ, the blood is saturated with oxygen. There are approximately 70 species of this fish, differing in color and size. Life expectancy is on average 4 years.

The cockerel has an elongated oval body, flattened laterally. The length of the fish is 4-5 cm. Males are slightly larger in size than females. Some species grow about 8-10 cm, these are veiltails. The caudal fin, as well as the upper one, have a rounded shape, and the pectoral fins have a pointed tip.

Males have longer fins and brighter colors. The colors of the cockerels are amazing in their diversity. They can shimmer in many colors. In some species, the scales shimmer in all shades of the rainbow.

The brightness of the color depends not only on the lighting. During spawning and an aggressive state, the color becomes brighter and more saturated.

The most popular species among aquarium fish lovers:

• veiltails,
• crescent tails,
• crowntails,
• double tails,
• roundtails,
• flagtails,
• royal.

Video: meeting the fish

What to choose

Before choosing a container in which your betta will spend the rest of his life, you need to know about your pet's needs. There is a myth that in their natural environment, Betta fish live in cloudy, shallow puddles, so they do not require special conditions or large volumes. This opinion is complemented by the contents in pet stores - more often than not, bettas are kept in mini-aquariums like glasses or glasses. But this is not so, bettas vitally need free space for swimming and clean water for a healthy life, which are provided by a large aquarium.

But a mini-aquarium is also useful, but not for permanent living. They breed fry or place sick fish for a quarantine period.

A tank with a waterfall is not suitable, as this is an unnatural feature for fighting fish. In the natural environment, cockerels do not encounter such flows of water, so they feel uncomfortable among the constant noise and splashing.

Exophthalmia (bulging eyes)

It can be either an independent disease or a symptom of another disease. In particular, bulging eyes often appear simultaneously with dropsy - excessive accumulation of fluid in the insides of an individual.

It is quite simple to notice bulging eyes: the surface of the eye becomes cloudy, becomes covered with a white film, and the eye can literally roll out of its sockets.

There are several causes of exophthalmia:

• infectious or bacterial diseases;
• fungal diseases;
• lack of vitamins (consequence of a monotonous diet);
• eye flukes;
• increased content of nitrite, nitrate and ammonia in water;
• excessive water hardness.

The first thing to do in case of bulging eyes is to change the water, and it should be at the same temperature so as not to cause stress. In addition, you need to reduce feeding - if the problem arose due to improper living conditions, then this will help.

Choosing an aquarium for a betta

What is important when choosing:

• Availability of jewelry and decor.
• Will a filtration system be installed?
• How is water heated?
• What equipment will be installed.
• How many fish are kept?

Size

Mini aquariums are not suitable for bettas, so you need to be more careful when choosing the size of the container. The minimum size is 12–14 liters of water. In smaller tanks, life for the fish will be torture, this will ruin its health and psyche.

In addition, in a small aquarium it is more difficult to care for a betta, because the slightest changes in ambient temperature negatively affect the water, quickly cooling it. The problem with a small mini-aquarium is that it is difficult to install equipment that improves the quality of life of the fish. If not maintained carefully, the water quickly becomes rotten from food residues and organic waste.

In a 12+ liter aquarium, it is already possible to provide the fish with optimal living conditions; it has enough space so as not to get bored.

Better buy a larger aquarium. The ideal volume is considered to be 20 liter tanks. This is enough for the life of fish, for planting vegetation, and for decorating the bottom. This volume will fit all the required equipment.

Form

A mistake that novice aquarists make when buying fighting fish is choosing to keep a round tank or a glass aquarium for bettas. This is harmful to the health of the fish due to the small volume and lack of space for swimming. Uneven shapes create a distortion of the surrounding world for the eyes of the fish, which is why the betta fish in a round aquarium acquires visual and mental impairments, and experiences constant discomfort. Therefore, a round aquarium is bad.

Large rectangular tanks with straight walls are much better suited. In such an aquarium it is easier to care for the betta fish in the aquarium, because all the equipment is easily located and there is a place for planting plants that decorate the appearance and emphasize the beauty of the pet.

Plastic or glass

Although glass remains the traditional material option for an aquarium, plastic is becoming increasingly common among aquarists.

Who does he get along with?

By nature, the Siamese fish is very aggressive, but there are also representatives of the aquatic world with which it gets along.

You should not house two cockerels together - a fatal outcome is guaranteed. Two betta fish were specially placed in Asia, where betta tournaments were popular. It is because of these tournaments, similar to the fights between birds and roosters, that the fish got their name. A similar competition can be seen in the 2021 film Ultimate Fighting, in which prisoners in a Thai prison bet on one of two fish, and a similar scene can be seen in the 1963 James Bond film From Russia with Love, which shows a fight between three cockerels .

Oddly enough, keeping a male and female rooster fish together can also end in failure. The pair is reunited only during spawning. It is permissible to keep several females or two cockerels together only if the aquarium is large, there is a lot of vegetation, snags and decor in it, and the fish will have the opportunity to hide from aggressive individuals.

Cockerels do not get along with piranhas, acaras, telapias, black-striped cichlasomas, lineatuses, ctenopomas, julidochromis, tetraodons, melanochromis, and parrots.

Neighborhood with neons, guppies, danios, labeos, cardinals, angelfish, laliuses, ctenobricons, barbs and gouramis can provoke fights and damage to the fins.

When choosing neighbors for a cockerel, it is worth taking into account the requirements of all species for pH levels, filtration, aeration and the characteristics of their character. Cardinals and tetras are quite peaceful and get along well with bettas. Harlequin Pisces are 100% good cohabitants for fighters, since in the wild they also coexist. The difference in location preferences makes Corydoras catfish good neighbors, since catfish are usually based closer to the bottom, and bettas swim higher.

Keeping snails in a shared aquarium helps maintain cleanliness. There have been cases, however, when males attacked snails during spawning, when they are especially aggressive. Therefore, during this period of life it is worth keeping males separately, leaving them to fulfill their fatherly duty in peace in the spawning area.

Betta fish gets along well with shrimp.

You should not choose very bright neighbors, as cockerels react sharply to color competition. Fish with an aggressive nature, as well as small fish that can become victims of attack, are not suitable for the neighborhood. It is better to introduce Bettah Splendens into a community aquarium at a young age.

Male and female - differences

As a rule, it is the males that are sold in pet stores - the female rooster fish looks less impressive than her “husband”. You can distinguish them like this: the female is about 1 cm smaller, less colored, she does not have such large developing fins, and her abdomen is more round. The female's character is more docile, she is not aggressive and coexists quite calmly with other females. She tries to stay away from her aggressive partner and is peaceful towards him, which cannot be said about the male.

Equipment

Bettas do not require specialized equipment. It is necessary to prepare a siphon for the cockerel to remove food debris and dirt from the substrate. Due to their tropical origin, fish are sensitive to temperature changes, so if you cannot establish a constant comfortable temperature in the room with the tank, then buy a heater. An aeration device (compressor) is not installed; they manage well without additional oxygen in the water.

You will also need a water thermometer to know whether the temperature of the aquarium is decreasing or increasing. Any kind of lighting, it is usually oriented towards the requirements of vegetation, not pets; fish feel good in an aquarium with lighting.

A lid is required; between it and the walls of the aquarium there should be a small gap for air exchange.

Ichthyophthiriasis (semolina)

The causative agent of “white semolina” is a ciliated ciliate. Infection occurs in the traditional way, i.e. through food, equipment or other individuals. The development of this disease is also affected by excessively hard and cold water in the aquarium.

Ichthyophthiriasis can be identified by the presence of the following signs:

• significant loss of appetite;
• a white coating on the gills, skin and fins, which looks like semolina groats.
• change in breathing rhythm;
• decreased activity;
• the fish rubs against plants or other objects.

If you notice a white coating on the fins of a betta or other signs of ichthyophthyriosis, then you need to move the sick individual to a separate tank, where the water temperature will be 30 degrees. Treatment is carried out with Bicillin-5, Malachite green, as well as other means. Saline solution helps a lot.

Installing an aquarium for a betta

• Select a location for installation. Do not place the tank in direct sunlight or in noisy rooms.
• Wash the soil and pour it to the bottom.
• When planting living vegetation, a substrate layer of more than 4 cm is required.
• Place decorations, driftwood, grottoes.
• Install the equipment and check its operation.

Cleaning the aquarium

Weekly cleaning of the aquarium and changing ¼ of the water is required. Cleaning is especially important in small tanks, where the water goes out faster. The filtration system also needs to be cleaned weekly. Every month the soil is siphoned to remove stuck food particles and waste.

Priming

When designing an aquarium for a betta, an important role is given to the substrate for the bottom. This is not just a decorative element; its own microflora is formed in the soil, which affects the other inhabitants. Microorganisms that populate the substrate maintain the biological balance of this environment. Plants extract nutrients and elements from the soil.

The soil for an aquarium is usually covered with small pebbles, gravel, river sand, colored stones, and shells. Substrate particles are rolled in shape without sharp edges or chips that could injure the occupant.

Scenery

It is not necessary to decorate the aquarium; the fish feel good without it, but additional elements in the tank will diversify the pet’s life and open up opportunities for research. Install clay pots, stone mounds, caves, grottoes as desired.

How to set up an aquarium for a betta: choose decorative elements without chips or sharp edges that can easily damage the delicate fins and skin of the fish. The size of the decor is also important: the pet should swim out and in easily. Too small an internal space will cause the betta to get stuck and not swim out on its own. At least a few fingers should fit freely into the cave or pot.

Filling with water

Water is poured carefully so as not to wash away the soil. Do not use distilled water. Immediately after pouring, you should not introduce fish, because the plants must get used to it and go through the stage of clouding the water. Microflora is formed in the soil, which helps maintain biological balance. Only then launch the fish.

pH level

The average acidity of water for bettas is 6.1–7.4 pH.

Filter

If you care for your betta fish according to the rules and replace ¼ of the water volume weekly, then an additional filter is not required. Otherwise, it is purchased to ensure the purity of the water or when there is not enough time for proper care. But choose a low-power filter, because betta fish do not like strong currents.

Water heater

Before purchasing a heating device, find out what volume it is designed for, because if you choose incorrectly, it will overheat or excessively cool the aquatic environment. A water heater often comes complete with a thermostat, but when purchasing devices separately, check their compatibility and performance in advance.

The water heating device is located in different places:

• Under the substrate (in the form of a heating mat).
• In the ground (in the form of cables).
• On the inner wall of the aquarium.
• In the water column.
• From the outside.

Aeration

Enrichment of water with oxygen is not used in the tank with bettas, because they breathe with gills and lungs from the surface of the water. In addition, aerating devices create excessive water movement, which makes pets nervous.

Launch

First, place the bag of water and fish in the aquarium water for half an hour to even out the temperatures. Then scoop some water from the reservoir and pour it into the bag. After another 30 minutes you can release the fish. If the pet has an appetite and is active, then acclimatization was successful.

Why do fish get sick?

Betta fish suffer from parasitic and infectious diseases. At the same time, it is quite simple to determine that your pet is sick - their appetite sharply worsens, they hide at the bottom, and white spots and plaque appear on their body. It is important to monitor the condition of the fins, whose condition can also deteriorate significantly.

Diseases of cockerels occur for the following reasons:

• Aquarium contamination. Failure to regularly clean the tank often leads to a deterioration in the condition of the aquarium inhabitants. You need to clean it about once a week, changing up to 1/3 of the water.
• Poor water quality (affects the fish’s immune system and can therefore lead to their premature death).
• Too many pets in one aquarium (overcrowding).
• Poor filtration system.
• Using low quality feed. In addition, you need to constantly remove uneaten food.
• Impossibility of spawning (males become more lethargic, females develop cancer).
• Lack of vitamins.

Always keep an eye on the expiration date of the food you use. It is important to organize the correct nutrition plan, avoiding overfeeding. Remember that excess food (as well as its lack) has a very negative effect on the condition of betta fish.

It is important to understand what diseases are most common in these aquarium inhabitants, as well as how to cure a betta fish from a particular disease.

The best aquariums for betta fish

Tetra Betta Bowl is a miniature aquarium that holds almost 2 liters of water, with LED lighting. The Betta betta aquarium can only accommodate one occupant. Rounded walls expand the space for swimming and activity of fish. Purchase soil, feed, equipment, and decor separately.

Hagen Marina Betta Kit Fireworks is a 2 liter aquarium for 1 inhabitant. Models vary in color; this allows the tank to fit into any interior. The kit includes gravel for the substrate, background, pet food and water conditioner. It is possible to place it on the wall.

The Fluval Chi is not a tank designed specifically for bettas, but is suitable for tropical creatures. Containers from 11 to 25 liters are sold. Additionally, the equipment includes LEDs, a filter, water conditioner, and substrate.

Hagen Fluval EDGE is a spacious tank for keeping betta fish. The volume of the aquarium for a betta is 23 liters, it has built-in lighting for day and night, and filtration.

Dropsy

Dropsy is a very serious disease that occurs due to various reasons: bacterial infection (often the fish becomes infected with it when digging), improper feeding, increased ammonia levels, etc.

Dropsy can be identified by the presence of the following signs:

• bloated belly;
• the fish stopped eating;
• red spots appeared at the base of the fins;
• there are bruises on the body;
• rapid loss of body weight;
• swelling of the eyes.

As a rule, this disease leads to the death of betta fish. But there is a certain chance of saving sick individuals if treatment is started at an early stage. In addition to the use of certain drugs, a complete replacement of all decor and disinfection of the aquarium is necessary.

Basic methods of prevention

Most of these diseases can lead to the death of the betta fish, so it is necessary to follow certain rules for caring for the aquarium and its inhabitants.

Let's highlight a few basic recommendations:

• Wash your hands with antiseptic or regular soap before any manipulation with your pets, as well as after working with them.
• Monitor the quality of the feed, preventing it from becoming expired. It is very important not to overfeed the fish, and also to give food at approximately the same time.
• Maintain optimal water temperature, avoiding hypothermia.
• Take into account the compatibility of betta fish with other types of aquarium inhabitants. Avoid overcrowding.
• Any decor and soil must be disinfected before being placed in the aquarium.
• Periodically use vitamin complexes to maintain the health of your pets.
• Fish purchased from a pet store must undergo mandatory quarantine. They need to be kept in a separate tank for 1-3 months, monitoring their condition.

We have looked at the main diseases of betta fish and possible ways to treat them, but it is important to understand that this process requires certain knowledge and practice.

This type of aquarium fish has a fairly strong immune system, so it actively fights the disease, but if no action is taken, the individual will die.

Betta fish have two main qualities: aggressiveness and beauty. Only certain types of fish that have a similar character can get along with this fish. It should be taken into account that fish can terrorize each other, until one of them possibly dies. Cockerels are one of the most sought-after species due to their unusual beauty, varied coloring and ease of maintenance.

Viremia

This disease most often appears in the spring. Among the main reasons are infection from sick individuals and poisoning with nitrogenous compounds. A characteristic sign is the appearance of red spots near the chest or head.

Other symptoms include:

• ruffled scales;
• swelling;
• loss of appetite;
• general lethargy;
• goggle-eyed.

Treatment begins with testing the water for nitrites, nitrates and ammonia. Among the drugs, Sera Bactopur direct helps well.

Oodiniosis

This disease has another name - “velveteen disease”. It occurs due to hypothermia, the relocation of already sick individuals into the aquarium, as well as due to improper care of pets.

The symptoms are as follows:

• breaking and ruffled scales;
• paleness;
• slow breathing;
• apathetic state;
• stuck together and drooping fins.

If at least one individual is sick, it is necessary to completely disinfect the tank. Treatment is carried out with the following drugs:

• Antipar is an antiseptic that acts directly on the pathogen.
• Formamed is a drug that supports a healthy environment.
• Ichthyophor is a drug that combines malachite green and formaldehyde.

Origin

Southeast Asia is considered the birthplace of the betta fish. Its main habitats are warm, fresh, slow-flowing or stagnant bodies of water in Thailand, Vietnam, the Malay Peninsula and the islands of Indonesia.

The first mention of this unusual fish occurs in history in 1800. At that time, the inhabitants of Siam (now Thailand) noticed the increased aggressiveness of the males of this fish towards each other and began breeding a special breed for fights with monetary stakes.

Cockerels were introduced to Europe in 1892. The first countries to see the miracle fish were France and Germany. They came to the USA in 1910, where Frank Locke developed a new color version of the cockerels. In Russia, the history of their appearance is associated with the names of V.M. Desnitsky and V.S. Melnikov and date back to 1896.

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