Betta Only Tank

[andyboy!!]

Hi

I've had a Betta in my community aquarium. He lived to be just under a year old. Is this average age for them? I have been told they live longer in a tank by themselves?

I was thinking about setting up a Betta only tank. I know they should be in at least 1 gal but I was thinking to having higher than this anyway. Also is this US gal? And how many gallons are in your normal 'fish bowl' type, so I have a rough idea.

What's the ideal setup for such a tank. I have been reading through the FAQs.

Cheers
Andy.

 

[Christine1014]

Hi,
Typically a male beta isn't a good community fish -- he's agressive so he'll attack smaller fish, and his long fins are too tempting for fin nippers. A year really isn't a very long life at all.

A typical fish bowl is a gallon, I think, but you're right -- you should have him in something bigger than that. It's just not fair to keep a fish in such a tiny space. However, I'm not sure what you mean by beta-only tank. You can't/shouldn't keep more than one male in the same tank. And you can't keep a male and female together unless you're trying to spawn. In a 10 gallon, you can keep 5 or 6 females, I've heard, but other than that, there's really no sure tank mates for a beta. (there's a pinned topic on this forum I think, about what you can and cannot keep with a beta.). You'll hear people say "well, I've done this, and it worked," but the bottom line is that what works for one person might not work for another, and it seems like a "community" beta is much more the exception than the rule.

Good luck!!

 

[andyboy!!]

Thanks for the advice.

I did mean just one Betta by 'Betta only'. What's the average lifespan then?

 

[MaddieJ]

I expect alot of the people reading this will have very different ideas about what is 'Ideal'. As we all keep our fighie friends in different ways, using different things a different way etc.

I think however the majority of us agree on a few things such as:

A tank of 1g or higher is suitable for a Betta. Preferably 2-3g though.
Substrate (sand and gravel) is a personal choice, some choose not to use any.
Plants: Any type of plant makes a tank look nice and gives hiding and resting place for our little friends. Try to go for something that is very soft and smooth, so your Betta wont hurt himself on it. Of course, you may not decide to get any at all.
Filtration: This is optional. Filters will keep your water clean and healthy but there are some things you need to be aware of. Dont get one that your Betta can get his fins stuck in. Dont get one with a powerful outlet. Bettas like little to no current in their water. However there are plenty of diy tips and hints to minimize the outlet flow. If you dont buy a filter, be prepared to do regular water changes.
A heater: Unless your room temperature stays nicely between the temp range (I keep my tanks on 24c) that Bettas like, buy yourself a heater. A small one will do perfectly. To go with that, buy yourself some kind of thermometre. So you can make sure your heater is working properly and so you can see when it isnt.

I think this is it. Of course you can buy all sorts these days. Toys for fish, special mats so your tank doesnt slip, pretty backgrounds.. the list goes on.

Im sure others will come up with something else and/or correct me if im wrong =)

Psst: Betta life span is longer than a year. Ive heared of bettas living to the very grand old age of 7

 

[Christine1014]

Lots of good advice, Maddie.
My beta's tank is planted and when I can't find him, I just look in the middle of a big bunch of hornwort; it's become his little hideout! (Never mind the things I have in the tank purpose! He'd rather have the plants!)

As for lifespan, my mother-in-law kept one in a 1-gallon bowl for just about five years. I've only had my little guy for a couple weeks, but I hope to have similar success! Good luck with yours!

 

[andyboy!!]

I think I will have to make a trip to my local pet shop to see what is available. If you don't filter the water, is it just a matter of vaccing the gravel and doing water changes?

Also, I would like plants, but then you would need lighting which may not be available in smaller setups?

Cheers all.

 

[Amunet]

You could always buy a lamp that will hang over the tank for light heh
Or you could just go with silk plants. Lots of those look really nice plus you don't have to worry about lighting issues or fertalizers or any of that.

If you live in the US... I'd go to Walmart and get their 5gallon hex tank. It's cheap and comes with a bio-wheel filter in the hood.

Or if you don't get that.. for a filter option... get a bubble filter. It's run by attaching it to an air pump. They create a very low current and don't make any noise. We got one for our little 3gallon for 10dollars.. which is a great deal considering it came with it's own air pump And plus with an air pump you can get the valve thingy so you can also attach it to an air stone to aerate the water better for your future lil buddy

As for a heater. Don't cheap out when buying one. Make sure that the heater you end up getting has some sort of dial or knob or whatever that lets you pick which temp you would like. Even then you'll still want to get a thermometer b/c even the expensive heaters can be faulty.

 

[andyboy!!]

So if you don't need a filter, I take it you don't need to cycle the tank if you do use one?

Do you still add bacteria if you don't have a filter?

 

[Amunet]

I've never not used a filter, but it would make sense that you wouldn't have to cycle beforehand.
You would just need to do very frequent water changes depending on how large the tank is. Of course all this with some dechlorinated water.
I'm sure someone who keeps their betta(s) in an unfiltered tank will be able to give you some better info on how to keep the tank as clean as possible

 

[White Whale]

How about a sponge filter?

I use the small Red Sea filter that comes with those candy jar setups. My betta seems to like playing in the flow - I guess it's his version of a mini roller coaster.