Betta fish: Setup, costs and other tips-n-tricks
Q: How will I find the time to care for it?
Ha! I used to think the same. Luckily, keeping a betta fish is waaaay easier than owning a dog. First of all, there are no daily walks. Also, no bathing required! Most importantly, once you've made the initial setup, there are practically no substantial costs involved with keeping it healthy and alive!Bottom line: They are super low maintenance and apart from the feeding and periodic cleaning require no extra work.
The Betta fish, type: Dumbo Halfmoon
$14.99
Zebra Danio tetras
Bettas are territorial fish, but it can get lonely in the aquarium. I recommend getting a group of 3 tetra fish. Tetras are fast swimmers; thus a betta won't be able to chase and hunt them. The occasional chase will also keep them all healthy and active.
Bettas are territorial fish, but it can get lonely in the aquarium. I recommend getting a group of 3 tetra fish. Tetras are fast swimmers; thus a betta won't be able to chase and hunt them. The occasional chase will also keep them all healthy and active.
$2.97
The Aquarium
Do not get anything below 5 gallons. Yes, I know most pet stores keep them in plastic cups, ready to sell, but that's a horrible thing to do and if you're considering doing the same, please stop right now and forget all about it!
Also, DO NOT BUY the small betta starter kits. They are garbage. Of all the essential things, the tank will be a pricey investment but well worth the cost in the long run.
Do not get anything below 5 gallons. Yes, I know most pet stores keep them in plastic cups, ready to sell, but that's a horrible thing to do and if you're considering doing the same, please stop right now and forget all about it!
Also, DO NOT BUY the small betta starter kits. They are garbage. Of all the essential things, the tank will be a pricey investment but well worth the cost in the long run.
$39.96
Gravel
Apart from recreating a natural landscape in the aquarium, it also provides a solid ground to secure decorations/toys. Walmart had a 2kg pack as the minimum out of which I placed about 65% of the bag in my setup. Basically, just put and spread enough to cover the base.
Apart from recreating a natural landscape in the aquarium, it also provides a solid ground to secure decorations/toys. Walmart had a 2kg pack as the minimum out of which I placed about 65% of the bag in my setup. Basically, just put and spread enough to cover the base.
$6.87
Toys
While this is optional, I highly recommend toys with big enough holes. Bettas enjoy going through these cavities, and more importantly, it also gives them a semi-dark place to hide/rest whenever they want to.
You could keep more if you wanted to but ensure you don't crowd the place. Usually, for a 5-gallon tank, one good sized toy in the center is enough.
While this is optional, I highly recommend toys with big enough holes. Bettas enjoy going through these cavities, and more importantly, it also gives them a semi-dark place to hide/rest whenever they want to.
You could keep more if you wanted to but ensure you don't crowd the place. Usually, for a 5-gallon tank, one good sized toy in the center is enough.
$15.97
Plants
Get one big plant that can be placed in the corner. Bettas like to poop privately, and that plant will give it a 'personal corner'. You could also get an assorted 6-pack of colorful plants and place three at a time and then swap it out when you do the water change. This creates a change in the environment and keeps the betta curious about its surroundings.
Note: Make sure whatever plants you keep inside have soft edges since bettas have delicate fins that could rip if the plastic edges are rough or sharp.
Get one big plant that can be placed in the corner. Bettas like to poop privately, and that plant will give it a 'personal corner'. You could also get an assorted 6-pack of colorful plants and place three at a time and then swap it out when you do the water change. This creates a change in the environment and keeps the betta curious about its surroundings.
Note: Make sure whatever plants you keep inside have soft edges since bettas have delicate fins that could rip if the plastic edges are rough or sharp.
$5.79
Marimo Moss ball
While the filter is an electric component, the marimo ball is an actual living 'fluff' ball that feeds on algae and nitrates thus maintaining a healthy ecosystem. It also absorbs CO2 and releases oxygen in the water. The best part is it requires almost zero maintenance. When you change the tank water, simply take it out, squeeze it and then put it back in the tank. That's it!
I highly recommend buying a real marimo moss ball instead of the cheaper and fake exo-terra version.
While the filter is an electric component, the marimo ball is an actual living 'fluff' ball that feeds on algae and nitrates thus maintaining a healthy ecosystem. It also absorbs CO2 and releases oxygen in the water. The best part is it requires almost zero maintenance. When you change the tank water, simply take it out, squeeze it and then put it back in the tank. That's it!
I highly recommend buying a real marimo moss ball instead of the cheaper and fake exo-terra version.
$13.50
Water filter
To keep the water quality healthy, I've added an electric water filter containing a charcoal based filter pouch. It has various flow settings, but since the betta don't like too much water movement, I've set it to the lowest setting. This keeps the water circulating, and the charcoal keeps it clean.
Ideally, you would replace the filter pouch every month. I recommend buying the Filter cartridge replacement (4-packs) box while you're at it.
To keep the water quality healthy, I've added an electric water filter containing a charcoal based filter pouch. It has various flow settings, but since the betta don't like too much water movement, I've set it to the lowest setting. This keeps the water circulating, and the charcoal keeps it clean.
Ideally, you would replace the filter pouch every month. I recommend buying the Filter cartridge replacement (4-packs) box while you're at it.
$18.83
Thermometer
The aquarium thermometer will help in ensuring the water temperature is within the ideal range of the safety zone (70 - 80 degree Fahrenheit). Avoid getting fancy digital or LCD types since this one is cheap and works great!
If your room temperature is mostly consistent, you won't need an additional water heater since betta fish prefer room temperature.
The aquarium thermometer will help in ensuring the water temperature is within the ideal range of the safety zone (70 - 80 degree Fahrenheit). Avoid getting fancy digital or LCD types since this one is cheap and works great!
If your room temperature is mostly consistent, you won't need an additional water heater since betta fish prefer room temperature.
$2.92
Water care products
Since tap water usually contains a lot of chlorine, I recommend getting a de-chlorinator to make it safe for the fish. It works instantly and also adds vitamins and minerals for healthy and clear water. The pH regulator regulates alkalinity and reduces phosphates. Just a few drops of the solution every time you change the water works well. Do read the instructions if you're unsure of how much to add.
Since tap water usually contains a lot of chlorine, I recommend getting a de-chlorinator to make it safe for the fish. It works instantly and also adds vitamins and minerals for healthy and clear water. The pH regulator regulates alkalinity and reduces phosphates. Just a few drops of the solution every time you change the water works well. Do read the instructions if you're unsure of how much to add.
$19.94
Food
I've got two varieties that I feed my betta - the regular mini pellets and bloodworms.
I usually feed him bloodworms after a water change or over the weekend. Bettas love to eat bloodworms in their natural environments, and it also serves as a change in food.
I've got two varieties that I feed my betta - the regular mini pellets and bloodworms.
I usually feed him bloodworms after a water change or over the weekend. Bettas love to eat bloodworms in their natural environments, and it also serves as a change in food.
$7.91
Aquarium background
Entirely optional but recommended to add a natural looking background landscape to your aquarium. To apply, I wet the outside of my aquarium wall and then made a mixture of part glue and part water, applied using a regular paint brush. There's a special pasting glue available but since it's a one-time application, avoid the extra expense.
Entirely optional but recommended to add a natural looking background landscape to your aquarium. To apply, I wet the outside of my aquarium wall and then made a mixture of part glue and part water, applied using a regular paint brush. There's a special pasting glue available but since it's a one-time application, avoid the extra expense.
$8.94
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Some extra tips on taking care of your betta
Bettas are used to tropical water hence Epsom Salt and/or kosher table salt is immensely beneficial as it hardens the water, relaxes the betta and also helps in preventing fin rot.Bettas will eat 2 Big Macs, a large fries and a diet coke... then it will die! They tend to overeat and end up bloating. If that happens, don't feed it for a day. Relax, it takes 2 weeks of starvation for them to die so one day won't even matter. Give them time to digest.
Of course, there is no "best" setup, and everything depends on how much you're willing to spend, but I hope this information has helped you better understand costs and requirements for keeping your fish happy and healthy.
Most of the items mentioned above can be found in a variety of leading stores. If you're not in a hurry, search around to find deals or discounts that would further bring the costs down. You could also look into online listings where people give-away a lot of stuff.
