Most freshwater fish need water that is well-oxygenated in order to survive. Because of their labyrinth, however, Betta fish are able to survive in low oxygen conditions and get the extra air they need by breathing it directly from the surface of the water.Unfortunately, there are a lot of pet stores that have capitalized upon this low-oxygen requirement. You can find a lot of stores that will sell Betta fish in small vases, some even in plastic bags. For display purposes, a small vase may seem cute and perhaps a perfect gift for a co-worker to place on their desk. However, while the Betta will indeed survive in the vase for a while, its lifespan will be considerably shortened by such conditions.

Even the vases with plants growing in the middle of them can be a death sentence for you Betta. It is a common misconception that Betta fish can somehow feed from the roots of the plant. Not only is this false the roots can actually block the surface and kill the Betta. If Bettas do not have access to the surface of the water, they cannot breathe oxygen directly. Even if the water is somehow well-oxygenated, the Betta will still suffocate if they cannot periodically breathe air directly from the water surface.

The very smallest container that you want to buy for your Betta fish is a two-gallon aquarium or container. However, for best conditions and to give the Betta plenty of room to hide and swim, a 10-gallon container is optimal.

One of the reasons for larger tanks being better for Betta fish is because larger tanks are easier to maintain a steady temperature. Larger bodies of water take longer to heat up, but they also take longer to cool down. Unless you have a very hot space set aside in your room, you will want a container that you can use with a heater. Containers over 5 gallons will be sufficient for this purpose.

Tank temperature should be kept between 75-85 degrees. Because Bettas originate in small bodies of water in Asia where temperatures tend to be high, these fish thrive in warm water. Ideally, you want to keep the thermometer in between 80-82. When temperatures dip to 75 or below, the Betta will become very lethargic and begin hovering near the bottom of the container. With a larger container, you should be able to maintain a steady temperature and use a heater while giving the Betta more room and hiding places. This will keep stress levels lower and the Betta healthier.

In smaller containers, the toxicity of the water tends to be higher and cleaning is required more often. Feces and uneaten food will rot and increase bacteria levels. These elevated levels of bacteria will make the Betta more vulnerable to fin rot, dropsy, and a number of other health problems.

The pH in your container needs to be carefully maintained in between the range of 6.8-7.5. The water needs to be neutral to slightly acidic. Those levels will fluctuate more in smaller tanks so the overall health of your Betta will again be improved by a larger tank.

The bottom of the container should have a thin layer of gravel; a quarter-inch is fine. The gravel is necessary to allow nitrifying bacteria colonies to grow on this bottom layer. The gravel increases the surface area and allows more of these beneficial bacteria to grow. Nitrifying bacteria help reduce the toxicity of the tank and improve overall water quality. Power filters or even power heads are not recommended in tanks with Betta fish. Betta fish do not like swiftly moving water. It tends to stress the fish out making them more vulnerable to disease. Rapid moving surface water can also drown a Betta fish when it comes up to the surface for air.

Include hiding spots in your Betta fish tank. While plastic plants will provide adequate shelter, they also tend to have rough edges that can damage the delicate Betta fins. Natural aquatic plants are better choices as they provide great cover for the fish while also improving water quality.

Because Betta fish are so sensitive to pH levels and water quality, containers need to be cleaned often. In the tiny vases many Bettas are sold in, this means daily cleaning. For larger containers in the 5-10 gallon range, cleaning can be performed weekly.

Never completely cover the top opening of your Betta tank otherwise your Betta will suffocate. Breathing air from the water surface is vital to their survival.

Never leave the Betta tank in front of an open window or any place where drafts are common. While these cold blasts may not affect a heated tank, they can cause the Betta to develop pneumonia when coming up for air.

Follow these tips and you should have strong, healthy, gorgeous Betta fish for many years.