Tropical Fish Forum
Tropical Fish Keeping => General Fishkeeping Chat => Topic started by: brian c on October 24, 2014, 03:55:02 AM
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im wondering the world has said many different things about betta size tank some say half a gallon some say 10 gallon.but what do you say?
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Most certainly not 1/2 gallon! I think 5 gallon is the lowest..... but that's only my opinion. But remember, surviving is different to thriving. A Betta may survive in 1/2 gallon, but it wouldn't thrive.
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There is a mistaken belief that in the wild bettas live in puddles so they only need a tiny tank. Common sense should tell us this isn't true - if they lived in puddles, how would males meet females?
Wild bettas live in wide, shallow water like rice paddies. These can dry out during the dry season leaving fish trapped in large puddles until it rains again. I don't know how many of these fish make it through to the rains but it is this that makes so many people think they live in puddles permanently.
5 American gallons (20 litres) is generally considered to be the minimum tank size for a betta. And although it is possible to keep bettas in unfiltered tanks, this needs 50% daily water changes. With a filter, only once a week water changes are needed. Bettas also need the water slightly warmer than most tropical fish so unless the room the tank is in is at tropical temps, they also need a heater.
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just so yall know i am not asking for me i am just wondering what other people think.
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I did wonder. Bettas don't sound like the kind of fish you are interested in :)
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well they are not really cuz they are more of a species tank fish.and the lord knows i dont do species only tanks.unless they are community fish buy i like them a lot and are going to give them their on=wn tank like ly red eye tetras.except for the honey gourami and the cories it is going to be only them.
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but i do love them.they are one of the few fish that can come in EVERY color that i know of.
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I'm thinking of a Betta tank, if I catch mts, perhaps at Christmas.
So, 20 litres minimum - I suppose ideally a bit bigger? I like the look of the 23 litre Fluval Edge, and I guess being shallow might be an advantage.
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The one problem with the Edge is that some bettas can't find that square of surface to breathe air - just in case you don't know, labyrinth fish need to breathe air to fill the labyrinth organ. The solution is to have the water level a bit lower so there is an air gap beneath the top glass. The downside to that is that it spoils the look of the tank in some people's eyes.
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ok i am not sure how many gallons is 20 liters but 5 gallons is the real minimum for a Betta.i know what you mean sue about the water level thats why i buy tetra brand or marine land so it will have that black line.and that is where i do the inch of water dropped.
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oh and also i would buy a normal rectangular tank so he will have the surface volume like sue said.
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10 gallon i would say is the smallest tank i would say
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I've heard 10 galls quite often for bettas, though people then say that's too big for just a betta, what else can I put in there. I've always used 25 litre tanks, which are 6.6 US galls. My current tank is slightly larger, but only a by a litre or two.