Can You Keep Bettas In Cold Water?

[Suzi]

ive just been looking around at everyones piccies (getting very jealous i havent got an aquarium anymore!) and ive noticed a few pictures of bettas in tanks with no heater or filters. i have seen them being sold in jam jars (this looked cruel to me so could someone give me thier opinion on that?) but i didnt know they could be kept this way.
they are my favourite fish and would do anything to be able to have one again. i dont have a lot of room for a big aquarium but i was wondering if a simple starter kit aquarium would be suitable?

 

[OohFeeshy]

It depends on your room temperature, really. I don't need to heat mine because central heating + heat from lights etc. means room temperature is pretty much in 'tropical' temperatures. If room temperature flunctuates a lot or is cold, then you'll need a heater.

 

[catxx]

depends on the temperature of the room. i wouldn't do it in the UK, too cold in the winter.
Bettas are tropical fish after all and do need tropical temperatures, just some people have warm rooms in their houses.

 

[mrplaty]

1 gallon should be fine but a heater is really needed. They can be kept at a warm room temperature but in england it is hard to keep a consistant temperature.

 

[Labyrinth]

Hi Suzi, Welcome to the forum

You are not able to keep Betta in Cold Water, but you are able to keep them in a unheated tank if the room temperature is above 70oF or 21oC, this should be the coldest it should get.

As for the size of the tank anything from 1 gallon up is suitable, but nothing smaller.

Hope this helps!!

If you want more info look at http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=32461

Good Luck

Lab

 

[Suzi]

wow you all reply fast!
thanks a lot for the info... my bedroom is always warm so will put a thermometer in there just to see what temp it's at.
ive been reading a few websites about keeping them and i think it would be perfect for me. i had one in my community tank years ago but i never thought about keeping one in a smaller tank on its own.
if i was to keep one in an un heated tank would there be any other fish which would be happy to live there also?

 

[catxx]

white cloud mountain minnows maybe as they can survive in cold water.
don't know how compatible they are though.
and it would have to be a large tank (10ish gallons)
and if it's a large tank you might as well get a proper filtered & heated tank.

 

[Labyrinth]

If you want to keep other fish in the tank, you would need a tank bigger than 1 gallon. If you do want to keep a community the I would suggest at least a 10 gallon tank, and it would probably need to be heated and filtered, dependant on the species you plan to have in there.

Again the Forum has many helpful people who give good advice >> FAQ Tankmates

 

[Suzi]

ok thanks a lot, think i'll just stick to one betta... i found this on ebay, it looks ideal for me but was just wondering if anyone had their opinion on it? http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Silver-Designer-Mini...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[SRC]

Bettas usually don't prefer anything under 75 degrees F, they generally prefer between 78 abd 82, any hotter then 84 can also cause problems. Any temps lower then that makes them sluggish and more susceptible to diseases.

Warm Water Needed
If you live in a northern climate, wintertime can present obstacles. Cold temperatures won’t necessarily kill the fish outright. However, being subjected to long periods of cooler than optimum water temperature will stress the fish, rendering it far more susceptible to disease. Placing the vase/tank in a warmer location in the house will help, but the best option for those living in cold climates is to keep the fish in a heated aquarium.

Key Factors
The key factors for keeping your Betta happy and healthy are; keep the water and vase clean, feed your Betta a varied diet, and avoid letting the water remain cool (below 75) for long periods of time. Your Bettas appearance and behavior is a good yardstick to measure how he is feeling. A healthy Betta will be colorful, have a healthy appetite, and is active and interested in what is going on around him. A listless, inactive Betta that has a poor appetite and/or frayed fins is a red flag that something is wrong in the environment.
http/freshaquarium.about.com/cs/qa/f/faq0004.htm

About Temperature:

As regards thermal variance, of course a thermometer is all-important in gaining insight. Betta's are tropical fish... they live in warm water... the mid 70's to mid 80's are ideal... anything below 70 F. is trouble... and chilling, being in cold water will result in loss of appetite, vigor, stress... and possible death directly.

Of course, the ideal set-up includes a thermostatic heater adjusted to keep your fish's water in the tropical temperature zone. Small units exist, keep in mind you want five or so watts per gallon of sysem is about tops. Larger wattages can easily over-boost your temperature in a short time span.
http/www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/bettasysart.htm

 

[happyannie]

I started out with small tanks for my Betta then kept going larger until I hit the 5 1/2 gallon tank. I'm not sure how much that is in the UK..?? Their personality unfolds more when you put them in a larger tank and I feel it's more humane. None of us would like to be stuck in a little 2 by 4 room all the time. I just got a little baby over the weekend and watch him swim back and forth so many times in his 5 1/2 gallons, I feel like marking off each time he does it. I wonder how many miles that would be if we walked the same distances? He couldn't stretch like that in a little tank that's for sure! That size tank isn't so big really and maybe you'd want to go to your local stores to check it out. The price wasn't bad either. I paid about $20 for a tank with hood and light and a filter. I think $20 is about 35 pounds correct? or thereabouts anyways? It might be worth saving up a bit more then springing for a tank you'll both be happy with. I kept going back and upgrading which cost me more $ than if I'd just gone and gotten the bigger tank to begin with.

 

[Suzi]

None of us would like to be stuck in a little 2 by 4 room all the time.

yeah i was up last night thinking about this... my LFS has a starter kit with heater and filter for about £50 with a bigger tank so i think id prefer to spend a bit more money and have a happier fish
my boyfriend isnt keen on just having 1 fish so was thinking on having a mini community... i'll have to work out how many gallons this tank is then i can work out what fish would be suitable... any ideas let me know!!!

 

[seanc]

"I think $20 is about 35 pounds correct?"

$20 USD is more like £11.38.

 

[happyannie]

I'm not quite sure what to tell you about compatibility of other fish...You might do well to post a seperate message regarding this and see what everyone says. Guppies can get eaten. Tiger Barbs can be nasty...I've heard Danios of various kinds. Seems like there alot of experienced people on here. I'd trust them more than most pet stores who can try to tell you something just to make a sale. I know who isn't like that but had a bad experience with one who did that and fish died as a result. It would be best to think about who you want to dominate the tank too..How much space you'll have...etc. You don't want to overload the tank with too many. I had my 1st Betta in a community tank but he hid all the time and I knew his personality would come out more if he had his own residence. I just went to having them alone in a tank. They blow bubblenests and keep themselves amused pretty well. i think they like to be the bosses of their own house and have such large personalities that it makes up for the whole thing. I think it's really good you're thinking these things out and seeking advice before you get any. That's the way to do things the smart way for you and the fish. So good going and keep asking lots of questions !!