Betta Scoop For Sale? Best 177 Answer

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According to recent statistics, a survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) revealed that 11.5 million US households owned tropical fish in 2019/2020.

And that research also found that $19.2 billion was spent on live animals and related products. With that in mind, you might be wondering if selling bettas could be a way to turn your hobby into a profitable business.

Before you become a betta farmer, you need to know where and how to sell your fish.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at the requirements for farming fish and building a betta fish farm for a profit.

experience counts

Before proceeding, you must be honest about your experience of caring for and raising bettas.

There’s a lot more to setting up a fish farm, even on a small scale, than just keeping a male betta or two, adding a few random females, and letting nature do the rest. Most die-hard betta enthusiasts expect fish to have a proven pedigree, especially if you intend to breed fish for the show circuit.

Farming fish commercially and on any conceivable scale requires know-how, a lot of space, a lot of special equipment and time.

You must also be prepared to kill any fish that doesn’t meet the requirements. Your local fish shop will often buy these unfortunate creatures from you to use as forage fish.

equipment and premises

In order to successfully breed enough Bettas to sell them as a profitable business, you’ll need plenty of space to set up spawning tanks, brood-raising tanks, a hospital tank, and separate housing for your male and female breeding stock.

Of course, the room must have enough space for your tanks, and there must also be plenty of outlets that are easily accessible. A nearby sink or sinks and an internal drain are essential for all of the water changes and maintenance you do, and you’ll need plenty of storage space for medication, betta food, and general fish farming supplies.

You’ll also need a small office area for processing orders, invoicing, managing your website, etc., and a separate storage area for storing packing supplies is also useful.

As you can see, even a home fish farm requires a significant amount of capital expenditure to get it up and running. Added to this are the ongoing ancillary costs such as rent, energy, water, food, replacement filter media, water conditioner, etc.

Laws and Policies

Most local and state governments have regulations governing commercial fish farming in private homes and you need to understand these laws to ensure that what you are about to do is not illegal.

You may need a business license to legally operate and trade from home. Also, your local council may want to know if your operation is likely to result in increased traffic in your neighborhood.

Many fish farmers trade internationally. But you have to know your market. For example, most bettas are exported to the US from Thailand and South Asia, so depending on your location you may be able to sell your fish well enough locally.

Selling Bettas Abroad

However, if you’re looking to export your bettas to a country where there is a demand for them, you need to make sure what you’re doing is legal. Therefore, check federal regulations on exporting live fish, such as B. the laws of US Customs and Border Protection. If you are found to be in breach of the regulations, you will be prosecuted. So take the time to consider what you can and can’t do.

Every country around the world has its own rules for importing live pet fish. Some countries are easier to import than others. For example, Colombia is notoriously difficult, while the import process in China, Hong Kong and Australia is relatively easy.

where to sell

Once you have a successful Betta breeding operation, you will need a place to sell your stock.

There are several potential outlets that might be worth considering:

Local fish shops

Most fish shops source their fish from breeders through third party suppliers. The fish is often imported, which drives up the price, and the fish does not always do well in transit. So a local source could target local fish shops in your immediate area.

However, small shops offer hobby growers loans rather than cash. However, you may find that local businesses are open to doing business with you as a local supplier would save them transportation costs. However, this could depend on whether you offer the retailer your bettas at a competitive price.

Fish shops add a markup to the price of the fish they sell in order to make a profit. That means you can expect to get only about 25% to 35% of retail, which will likely eat away at your profits significantly.

sell online

The rise and rise of the internet has resulted in a huge increase in the sale of fish online. This is a market to enter, especially if you keep your transactions local.

When selling online, there is no intermediary. You can sell your fish at the current market value and any profit you make goes straight into your pocket.

Sale at auction

There are several auction sites that specialize in selling live fish, and bettas are one of the most popular species. If you have a well-bred, unusual, or rare betta fish for sale, you may get a lot more at auction than you would at a pet store.

A few years ago, a rare golden Betta fish sold at auction for a whopping $1,500!

You pay commission on your sales to the auction house. However, all winnings thereafter are yours.

social media

Setting up a website and promoting your home bred bettas through social media can be a very effective marketing tool that can lead to sales.

The main disadvantage of this approach is that it is time consuming. To keep your name and face in front of potential buyers, you need to constantly update your website and social media with new posts, tweets, etc. However, this is something you could outsource relatively cheaply.

Again, any winnings you make are yours.

Selling Guidelines

Buyers want to know that their hard-earned money is being spent on a healthy fish that will arrive in good condition. Also, most Betta enthusiasts want to know where their award-winning pet is genetically derived.

In your website and Facebook marketing copy, make sure you emphasize that the fish you sell are home-bred and include plenty of photos of your farm. Emphasize your efforts to raise healthy fish that are kept in pristine conditions.

Blog posts and informative articles on all things Betta are a great way to give your small breeding operation a voice of authority. This leads to consumer confidence, which in turn translates into sales.

Crucially, you must include a pedigree and genetic information on every fish you sell. Buyers would like to have this information, in part for the credit of owning a well-bred specimen, but also for their own betta breeding efforts.

transport

It takes time, money, and effort to raise beautiful Betta fish, so you should make every effort to ensure the fish arrive in good condition at their new home.

How to pack your betta for shipping

Use special leak-proof fish transport bags large enough for the betta.

Fill the bag about 1/3 full with water for small bettas or ½ full for fish over 2.5 inches in length.

/ full of water for small bettas or ½ full for fish over 2.5 inches in length. Do not feed the fish for one to three days before shipping. This gives time for the waste to pass the fish before bagging, keeping the water clean while the fish are on their way.

Always double-wrap the fish. Place the second bag upside down over the first. Tie the first bag and tighten the knot with rubber bands.

Use sturdy boxes lined with insulated foam coolers that keep the temperature inside the bags stable.

Place packing filler around the bags to ensure they stand upright in the box and will not fall over.

Clearly label the box “This Way Up” and “Live Fish” on all sides.

Always ship your bettas overnight and make sure the buyer is home to take delivery.

If the fish is en route for more than 48 hours, arrange repacking and reoxygenation before that time limit.

Live Arrival Guarantee

The most important aspect of selling fish is that your livestock arrive at the buyer alive and in good condition.

In general, transport companies guarantee that live fish will arrive with overnight shipments, but this may not be the case when exporting overseas, where customs delays can mean a multi-day layover.

Unfortunately, unforeseen shipping delays and the stress of the experience mean that fish often arrive dead or do not survive more than a few days after arrival at the buyer. So you have to give your customers a guarantee to replace or refund them if their betta died.

Some sellers also offer a discount for returning packaging materials, which can save you money in the long run and increase your company’s profits.

Finally

If you love betta fish and want to turn your hobby into a profitable business, you may want to sell the fish you have farmed.

First, I recommend you review the laws on operating a home fish farming business in your state and municipality. Set up a website to promote your beautiful bettas and use social media to market your livestock.

Did you like this guide? If so, don’t forget to share!

The Betta fish is a popular pet among Singaporeans.

They are beautiful to look at and can be categorized by their pattern, color or tail type.

In this article, we will distinguish between 13 different types of betta fish based on their tail type.

Here is a short video of some of the bettas we will be talking about:

Common types of betta fish

Crowntail Betta

The Crowntail Betta has a tail and fins with spike-like characteristics. This is due to the reduced webbing between the rib rays.

Crested Betta

Photo credit: Pinterest

Very aggressiveDominant and territorialPrefers to live alone

Similar to the Crowntail Betta, the Combtail also has rays on its fins. However, the size of its webbing is noticeably larger, reaching up to ⅔ the height of its tail.

Poster Betta

Photo credit: Fishkeeping World

Can only be made through selective breeding

Also known as the short-finned Betta, the Plakat is a fish with large, powerful bodies, powerful jaws, and a short tail.

This species is rumored to be the ancestor of all other betta fish.

Veil-tailed Betta

Photo credit: LoveToKnow

Extremely aggressiveVery activeKnown for trying to jump out of the aquarium

The veiltail is a common Betta species that has a wide range. You can distinguish this species from the others by its long and pendulous tail.

Crescent Betta

Photo credit: Flickr

Easy to breedLess aggressiveWeak swimmer

The name of this species comes from its caudal fin, which fans out at an angle of 180°. Since the shape resembles a semicircle, this fish was named Halfmoon.

Over Crescent Betta

Photo credit: Japanese fighting fish

Pretty aggressive

Unlike the crescent, a supercrescent Betta’s tail can spread out and reach over 180° around its body.

Rosetail Betta

Photo credit: AquaFood

Pretty aggressive

The Rosetail Betta is a beautiful variant of the Halfmoon. The main difference between the two is that the rose tail has ruffled edges resembling the petals of a rose.

Feathertail Betta

Image Credit: Siam Betta Fish UK

Fairly aggressive Not recommended for new owners

The Feather Tail Betta is very similar to the Rosetail. However, the Feather Tail has more branching of its fin rays, giving it an even more tousled appearance.

Delta Betta

Photo credit: Japanese fighting fish

Pretty aggressive

The Delta Betta has a tail that starts narrow towards the body and widens towards the tip, forming a triangular shape. The shape of its tail resembles the Greek alphabet, delta (Δ).

Rare Species of Betta Fish

Double Tailed Betta

Photo credit: Fit Club

The possibility of aggression is different for each individual fish

The Double Tail Betta is a species of fish with two distinct tails. Due to a genetic mutation, its caudal fins are separated at the base and grow in two lobes instead of one.

This species is rare as its young have a low survival rate.

Half Sun Betta

Photo credit: Japanese fighting fish

The possibility of aggression is different for each individual fish. More prone to swim bladder disease. Not recommended to breed with other species

The Half Sun Betta appears to be a combination of the Half Moon and Crowntail/Combtail Bettas.

This fish has a large tail that spreads out 180° like a crescent moon. It also features a slight crowning between the fin rays and has webbing like the crowntail and combtail species.

Betta with a round tail

Photo credit: Pinterest

Pretty aggressive

The Round Tail Betta is a fish that has a fully rounded tail with no straight edges. This species is considered extremely rare.

Spadetail Betta

Comes in many patterns and colors

The spadetail betta has a veil tail anal and dorsal fins. Meanwhile, its caudal fins spread and curve into a pointed spade-shaped tail.

Other Types of Betta Fish (Bonus!)

Giant Betta

Photo credit: Pinterest

Less aggressive

As the name suggests, the Giant Betta is an oversized variant of a standard Betta. This fish differs not in its tail, but in its mammoth size.

Their size is the result of extensive selective breeding.

Dumbo Ear Betta

Photo credit: Fishkeeping World

The possibility of aggression is different for each individual fish

This Betta species has extra large pectoral fins that resemble elephant ears. Hence it is also known as the Elephant Ear Betta.

Raising a Betta fish in Singapore

Fairly aggressive Can be found as any tail type

There is a wide range of beautiful and majestic looking bettas that fish lovers can choose as pets.

However, before you decide to raise one, it’s best to read our basic guide to buying and caring for a Betta fish in Singapore.

You can also learn more by reading our article on their FAQs.

How Many Types of Betta Fish Are There?

To be honest, trying to figure this out can be a bit confusing. Not everyone agrees on what constitutes a betta “type”.

Some break it down by tail type, others by tail type plus color, and still others by tail type, color, and pattern, with specific combinations given specific names.

So depending on your perspective, there could be countless.

To help you understand the different types of betta fish, I’ve divided this guide into three sections covering: different types of stories, color varieties, and patterns.

Types of Betta Fish Tails

1. Veil Tail

Tail/Fins: Long flowing fins with a tail that swings up and then pulls down even as the fish flickers. Large dorsal and anal fins

: Long flowing fins with a tail that swings up and then down even when the fish is flaring. Large dorsal and anal fins Color : available in almost any color

: Available in almost any color Common Patterns: Solid, Butterfly, Dragonscale, Pied, Full Mask, Grizzle, Two-Tone; Marble and Koi very rare

Solid, Butterfly, Dragonscale, Pied, Full Mask, Grizzle, Two-Tone; Marble and Koi very rarely Behavior: Less aggressive

Veiltail is the most common betta variety available in aquarium stores. They have a long tail that swings up and then curves back down as it trail behind the body.

Because they are bred by the millions, they can be found in almost every possible pattern and color combination. Marble and koi patterns may be hard to find, but they do pop up sometimes.

Veiltails are not strong swimmers and do best with just a gentle current in their tank.

They are not as aggressive as short-finned varieties.

2. Crown tail

Tail/Fins: Reduced webbed fin rays produce long spines on dorsal, anal and caudal fins

: reduced tissue between fin rays produces long spines on dorsal, anal and caudal fins Color : any color

: any color Common patterns: solid, butterfly, dragonscale, pinto, full mask, grizzle, two-tone; Marble and Koi very rare

Solid, Butterfly, Dragonscale, Pied, Full Mask, Grizzle, Two-Tone; Marble and Koi Very Rare Behavior: Can be much more aggressive than Veiltails

A male Crown Tail Betta is a spectacular sight to behold. Its dorsal, caudal, and anal fins are all reduced webbed between the rays, so the last ½ to ⅓ of the fins consist of beautifully flowing spines. The rays will dance and flutter together as the fish swims, especially when trying to gain some speed.

Crowntails are stronger swimmers than veiltails, but still benefit from the muffled flow in their tanks.

This species can also be much more aggressive than veiltails, but that depends on the individual fish and their lineage.

Pro tip: Whether or not a betta is aggressive depends on its genetics.

Basically, if the Pisces’ parents were docile and laid-back, they will be too. But if it comes from a family of scrappers, it will likely be aggressive.

Crowntails can be a little more sensitive when it comes to illness and injury, so keeping them in pristine water conditions is important.

They are the second most common betta, so you can find them in almost any color and pattern. I see them most often in grizzle and two tone.

3. Crescent

Tail/Fins: 180° tail with overlapping dorsal and anal fins

: 180° tail with overlapping dorsal and anal fins. Color : Available in all colors

: available in all colors Common patterns: solid, butterfly, dragonscale, piebald, full mask, grizzle, two-tone; most butterfly pattern bettas are crescent; Marble and Koi very rare

Solid, Butterfly, Dragonscale, Pied, Full Mask, Grizzle, Two-Tone; most butterfly pattern bettas are crescent; Marble and Koi very rarely. Behaviour: More aggressive than Veiltails

A Crescent Betta has an enormous rounded tail that spreads 180°. The trailing edge of the tail is rounded, so the silhouette of the tail looks like a semi-circle (or crescent!).

The dorsal fin is also quite large and tends to have a rounded shape, not like a veil tail. The anal fin forms a large curtain under the fish’s belly. All three fins overlap, making the fish look like a blooming flower (well…to me, anyway).

This variety is also widely available in pet stores, but not quite as common as the veiltail and crowntail.

It can be more aggressive than veiltails, but that depends on the individual fish.

Most butterfly bettas are of the crescent tail type. This makes the pattern look even prettier as the anal, dorsal and caudal fins overlap like flower petals.

4. Dumbo/Elephant Ear

Tail/Fins: Very large, ruffled pectoral fins resembling elephant ears can be found on any tail type, but are mostly crescents

: very large, curled pectoral fins resembling elephant ears can be found on any tail type, but are mostly crescents Color : available in all colors

: available in all colors Common patterns: solid, butterfly, dragonscale, piebald, full mask, grizzle, two-tone; Marble and Koi very rare

Solid, Butterfly, Dragonscale, Pied, Full Mask, Grizzle, Two-Tone; Marble and Koi very rarely. Behaviour: More aggressive than Veiltails

Dumbo Bettas (sometimes called Elephant Ears or EE Bettas) have enlarged pectoral fins that can be up to 5 times larger than normal and have huge ruffled edges.

Bettas usually swim a lot using their pectoral fins. So they’re constantly flapping those ruffled fins. It almost looks like a dancer with a large feathered fan.

These fish can be hard to come by in regular retail stores as they are difficult to farm.

Be sure to give them a gentle current as their heavy pectoral fins can make swimming a bit difficult.

5. Rose Tail

Tail/Fins: Crescent Betta whose tail has extra rays and ruffled edges

: Halfmoon Betta whose tail has additional rays and ruffled edges Color : Available in all colors

: available in all colors Common patterns: solid, butterfly, dragonscale, piebald, full mask, grizzle, two-tone; Marble and Koi very rare

Solid, Butterfly, Dragonscale, Pied, Full Mask, Grizzle, Two-Tone; Marble and Koi very rarely. Behaviour: More aggressive than Veiltails

Rosetails were bred from Halfmoon Bettas. Their caudal fins have extra rays and branching, making them disheveled. Just like a crescent moon, their tails can spread up to 180°, but all the extra rays mean the tails fold back and forth.

They really look like flowers or a ruffled dress.

However, all that extra fin weighs down the fish and can hinder their swimming.

And it’s easy to hang all those extra fins on things in the tank. So make absolutely sure there are no sharp or rough edges that could damage this gorgeous tail.

Some argue that the price for these beautiful cocks is too high. Rosetails can get lethargic because it’s so hard to lug around that big cock. They’d rather hide than swim around.

Also, rosetails sometimes refract the rays of their tails. This puts them at a higher risk of infection.

They can also develop a behavior called tail biting. The fish literally starts biting its own tail off. There is much heated debate as to what causes tail biting, but whatever the cause, what is known for certain is that it is all too common in rose- and feather-tailed bettas.

Tail-biting also makes rosetails more susceptible to infections, which can be life-threatening.

They can also have a shorter lifespan than other varieties. This could be due to poor breeding practices that focus more on achieving a specific tail shape than breeding hardy fish.

They can be quite aggressive as they were bred from Crescent Bettas.

6. Over Crescent/Super Delta Tail

Tail/Fins: The tail and fins are crescent shaped, but the caudal fin can spread more than 180°

: Tail and fins like a crescent, but the caudal fin can spread more than 180°. Color : Available in all colors

: available in all colors Common patterns: solid, butterfly, dragonscale, piebald, full mask, grizzle, two-tone; Marble and Koi very rare

Solid, Butterfly, Dragonscale, Pied, Full Mask, Grizzle, Two-Tone; Marble and Koi very rarely. Behaviour: More aggressive than Veiltails

A crescent betta has the same tail shape as a regular crescent, but the tail can spread more than 180°.

Their anal and caudal fins are similar to those of a regular crescent, the difference being that huge tail.

7. Feather tail

Tail/Fins: Extremely rough anal, dorsal and caudal fins

: extremely fluffy anal, dorsal and caudal fins Color : available in all colors

: available in all colors Common patterns: solid, butterfly, dragonscale, piebald, full mask, grizzle, two-tone; Marble and Koi very rare

Solid, Butterfly, Dragonscale, Pied, Full Mask, Grizzle, Two-Tone; Marble and Koi very rarely. Behaviour: More aggressive than Veiltails

A feather tail is like a rose tail that’s gone haywire. They look like a cross between a rosetail and a crowntail. They have the extra rays and branching like a rosetail, but they also have ray fingers and webbed feet that make the edges of their fins look like feathers.

You are really beautiful. Their fins flap around when they move and you can’t help but be a bit mesmerized.

But just like rosetails, feathertails can be prone to problems like torn fins, broken rays, tail biting, and shortened lifespans.

8. Poster

Tail/Fins: Shorter, less ornate fins/tail

: shorter, less decorated fins/tail Color : all colors available

: all colors available Pattern : all patterns available, this variety has marble and koi

: all patterns available, this variety has Marble and Koi Behavior: EXTREMELY aggressive, they are also notorious for jumping out of the aquarium

Poster Bettas (pronounced pla-COT) are much more similar to the wild Betta splendens form. These fish were bred in Southeast Asia specifically for fighting. So they have much shorter fins and large, powerful bodies.

Their bodies are longer than long-finned species and their dorsal fins are usually round and about a third the size of a veiltail. Postertails are fan-shaped and about half the size of a veiltail or crescent. And their anal fins only extend about an inch from their bellies.

But don’t worry, this is still a stunning little fish that can be found in a variety of bright colors.

They are much faster than long-finned varieties and much stronger swimmers.

Posters are also the most aggressive variety of Betta. Only the most aggressive bettas were selected for breeding, so these are some angry little fish.

They also have a bad habit of jumping out of their tanks. You absolutely need a tank with a tight lid that has no gaps. I’ve seen stories warning of a poster popping out through a small hole meant for a filter or air hose.

Posters are more comfortable in a larger tank where they have more space and can be really active.

If you are into the marble and koi patterns, these are the fish for you. Most marble koi bred are poster varieties.

9. Halfmoon poster

Tail/Fins: Slightly larger than regular poster with a crescent shaped tail

: slightly larger than normal crescent tail poster Color : all colors available

: all colors available Common patterns: solid, butterfly, dragonscale, pinto, full mask, grizzle, two-tone; Marble and Koi very rare

Solid, Butterfly, Dragonscale, Pied, Full Mask, Grizzle, Two-Tone; Marbles and koi very rarely Behavior: very aggressive and jumping

A Halfmoon placard has almost all of the same characteristics as the regular placard, but was bred to have a slightly larger tail. Like a crescent moon, the tail flares out to 180º and is in the shape of a capital “D”.

You are still an active and aggressive fish with the same lively personality you would expect from a placard.

Halfmoon posters are also notorious for jumping out of their tanks. So it’s best to have a tight-fitting lid if you plan on keeping one of these beauties.

10. Double tail

Tail/Fins: Two distinct caudal fins that separate at the base

: two distinct caudal fins separated at the base Color : all colors available

: all colors available Common patterns: solid, butterfly, dragonscale, pinto, full mask, grizzle, two-tone; Marble and Koi very rare

Solid, Butterfly, Dragonscale, Pied, Full Mask, Grizzle, Two-Tone; Marble and Koi very rarely Behavior: Aggression depends on the lineage of the fish

Double dicks look very unique because they have two different tails. Each caudal fin has its own base, one above and one below the midline of the fish.

The double tails are the result of a genetic mutation present in all Bettas. Because of this, double tails can be found with any tail shape.

11. Delta tail

Tail/Fins: Cross between veil tail and crescent, caudal fin widens into a triangle

: hybrid between veiltail and crescent, caudal fin widens into a triangle Color : all colors available

: all colors available Common patterns: solid, butterfly, dragonscale, pinto, full mask, grizzle, two-tone; Marble and Koi very rare

Solid, Butterfly, Dragonscale, Pied, Full Mask, Grizzle, Two-Tone; Marble and Koi very rarely Behavior: Aggression depends on the individual fish

The Delta Betta has a tail that is roughly triangular in shape, narrows near the body and then spreads out with a rounded edge.

This strain’s name comes from the silhouette of its tail, which resembles the Greek letter delta (Δ).

Most likely created by crossing Veiltail and Crescent Bettas.

12. Half sun

Tail/Fins: Crescent-shaped fins, but the tail has spikes

: crescent fins, but the tail has spikes. Color : All colors available

: all colors available Common patterns: solid, butterfly, dragonscale, pinto, full mask, grizzle, two-tone; Marble and Koi very rare

Solid, Butterfly, Dragonscale, Pied, Full Mask, Grizzle, Two-Tone; Marble and Koi Very Rare Behavior: More aggressive than a Veiltail

The half sun betta is probably my favorite. Bred from crescent and coronet tails, they have a crescent shaped tail but a ray fringe extends a little beyond the webbing making the tail look like a stylized sun.

I like the half sun because it’s stunning and unique, but the tail isn’t overly extreme like feather or rosetail.

You have a spunky crescent-like personality.

13. Spade tail

Tail/Fins: Anal/dorsal fins of a veiltail, tail that spreads then curves to a point

: Anal/dorsal fins of a veil tail, tail that flares out and then curves to a point Color : All colors available

: all colors available Common patterns: solid, butterfly, dragonscale, pinto, full mask, grizzle, two-tone; Marble and Koi very rare

Solid, Butterfly, Dragonscale, Pied, Full Mask, Grizzle, Two-Tone; Marble and Koi very rarely Behavior: similar to a veil tail

The spadetail betta’s fins look like a veil tail, but the tail curves back to a point, just like a spade from a playing card.

This tail type is actually quite rare. It used to be widely available in the 90’s, but these days it’s much harder to come by.

Color Types of Betta Fish

Despite being one of the most colorful freshwater fish, you might be surprised to learn that wild bettas are dull in color. Only shows bright colors when moving. However, due to centuries of selective breeding, captive bettas are now available in a variety of different colors and pattern types.

Some bettas can even change color over the course of their lives.

This sheer variety of color and pattern combinations is due to their layers of pigment in their skin. With each layer of pigmentation, a betta fish can have any combination of red, black, green, yellow, iridescence, or blue.

Blues, turquoises and greens are iridescent and can seemingly change color with changing lighting. Betta fish have this ability because these selected colors are created by refraction within a layer of guanine crystals.

Popular colors of fighting fish are:

Red

Blue

Yellow

Black

White

orange

extraterrestrial

gold

Green

candy

Nemo

cellophane

Metallic

violet

copper

mustard gas

Different Types of Betta Fish Patterns

Here are examples of available betta fish pattern types:

Firmly

As it sounds, a solid color.

marble

White spots on body/fins. This pattern can develop throughout a Betta’s life, a process known as marbling. This is due to a transposon when a DNA sequence changes its position in the genome and alters a cell. (Also common in Koi Bettas).

Dalmatian

White with black or red speckles.

butterfly

Two or three colors on the body are clipped and the last third of the tail/fins is white or transparent.

dragonscale

Body scales are outlined black with metallic sheen over most of the body.

full mask

Black markings around the mouth (resembling a mask), with a colorful body.

koi

Marble pattern with multiple colors, such as orange, red, white, and black

Two Tone

Two different colors, one on the body, the other on the fins/tail

grizzly

Two or more colors blending into each other, it looks like the colors are mixed with a brush at the edges

Rarest species of betta fish

The rarest type of betta is the fantail variety. This fish has two caudal fins that are side by side but fused at a small point at the top, making it resemble a fantail goldfish.

This strain is so rare that you can’t really find any information about it or buy it anywhere.

The Fantail Betta might as well be a unicorn!

The only thing I could find on them is a brief reference to them on YouTube, claiming that these bettas may be auctioned for an estimated $5,000 each!

In addition, the spadetail is also very difficult to find unless you contact a private breeder. I was able to find some listings for spade tailed bettas but all were listed as “sold out”.

Since they are so rare, expect a hefty price tag.

The 5 Best Betta Fish Foods You Must Try

Not all bettas are created equal. Some are born with bottomless stomachs like a miniature shark, others are picky eaters who turn their noses up at anything you offer. If you have the latter type, this refusal to eat can be quite stressful. Fortunately, there are many high-quality, high-protein foods that you can try feeding them to whet their appetite.

#1 Frozen mosquito larvae

Because betta fish eat small insects, crustaceans, and other meaty foods in the wild, frozen bloodworms (the bright red larvae of mosquito flies) are one of the best foods you can offer them. They are sold at most local pet stores and usually come in a pack of foil sealed individual cubes or a frozen slab that you can break off pieces from. In the United States, we prefer to buy Hikari as their bloodworms are of the highest quality and are fed very cleanly.

Normally, a betta fish can’t consume an entire cube in one sitting, so you may need to thaw the cube in a container and feed a few bloodworms with an eyedropper or tweezers. Most betta fish would happily feed on bloodworms alone, but like humans, your fish need a varied diet. Alternate between at least two to three different foods to ensure they’re getting all the necessary vitamins and nutrients to live a long and healthy life.

#2 Live Blackworms

Live food is considered the crème de la crème when it comes to betta fish food, as it most closely resembles its actual diet in nature. We recommend live monkworms because, as a true freshwater species, they can live in your aquarium for quite a while without polluting the water. They like to burrow into the substrate, which will provide hours of entertainment for your betta fish as it hunts them down one at a time.

This disadvantage of live blackworms is that they are not always available at local fish stores and have the potential to introduce parasites. We still highly recommend them as they are nutritious and mentally stimulating for bettas. Just make sure you get the blackworms from a reputable fish store that will keep them chilled in clean, odorless water.

#3 Betta Pellets

While pellets may not be the most natural looking choice, they pack the key nutrients a betta needs into one bite-sized package. Betta food pellets are good because they don’t dissolve quickly in the water and generally float on the surface (which is preferred since bettas have upturned mouths and are used to feeding from the surface of the water).

Xtreme Betta Pellets

We like Xtreme Betta Pellets because they contain high-quality proteins like krill, come with a handy scoop to avoid overfeeding, and are packaged in a small container that’s ideal for keeping a Betta fish. In general, you don’t want to buy a huge jar of fish food and use it for several years. While the expiration date may still be good, repeated exposure to moisture and oxygen will cause the food to become stale and stale, and can potentially cause health problems in your betta.

#4 Freeze Dried Foods

Freeze drying is a method of preserving food in a light, dry form factor while retaining as much of the original nutrients and flavor as possible. That’s why we like to use freeze-dried mosquito larvae and artemia as an alternative to frozen food. Unlike frozen foods, they don’t need to be kept in a freezer and tend to float on the water surface. Plus, they’re easy to portion out at appropriate sizes for feeding, and can be easily removed from the tank if your betta isn’t eating it all.

Freeze Dried Bloodworms from Hikari

#5 Insect based pellets

Fluval Bug Bites Betta Formula is another type of betta food pellets made primarily from black soldier fly larvae to closely simulate the insectivorous diet of a betta fish. It contains high amounts of high quality protein as well as other essential vitamins and minerals to support your betta’s health. These are slow sinking granules that some bettas may not like, but if you have other aquarium mates such as tetras and mailed catfish they will readily annihilate any leftovers your betta leaves behind.

Fluval Insect Bites – Betta Formula

In our experience, most bettas are not overly fussy and, if kept in a community tank with other fish, may even choose to snack on other foods that you feed the tank. But if you’re looking to add variety to your betta’s diet, try one of these five most popular foods and your betta will be sure to be begging for more.

This post may contain affiliate links.

If, like many other aquarists, you are wondering what human food you can feed your bettas that is safe for consumption, you’ve come to the right place to learn more.

Long story short, you can feed your betta human foods like cooked peas, corn, leafy greens like spinach and lettuce, cucumber, sweetcorn, and some non-citrus fruits like strawberries, apples, pears, melons, and especially honeydew melon. However, remember that human food is not a natural food for bettas, you should not overfeed them.

In today’s article, we are going to give more details about the human food that you can feed to betta fish.

Can bettas eat human food?

As we know, betta fish fall into the carnivore category, or more specifically, insectivores. Their normal diet includes small fleshy creatures like mosquito larvae, artemia, mosquito larvae, daphnia, etc. This satisfies their need for protein and other nutrients that cannot be replaced by green vegetables.

Whether it’s a fish or you, meeting the nutritional requirements is of paramount importance that should not be compromised.

You can feed your bettas human food as long as they are not lacking the necessary food for their survival. You shouldn’t put Bettas on a strict plant-based diet, but it would be preferable to treat them to some boiled peas and small chunks of cucumber every now and then.

Or, for example, if you’re running low on supplies and can’t go outside at the moment, put a few small pieces of mango in the tank for your aquatic animal to eat.

What Human Food Should You Feed Betta Fish?

Peas

When it comes to giving betta fish human food, most of it is not appropriate for the species. Processed foods are a big no-no, as they contain a variety of chemicals and preservatives that are harmful for fish to eat. Below we have listed some mostly plant-based foods that you can safely feed your bettas.

Boil some peas until mushy, remove the shell, cut into small pieces and place in your aquarium. It is an excellent source of fiber that also helps relieve digestive problems and prevent constipation and bloating in bettas.

Leafy vegetables

Lightly cooked spinach or lettuce can also be given to Betta fish. Green leafy vegetables are rich in minerals and vitamins and offer several health benefits. It is also easily digestible.

cucumber

Betta fish are often given zucchini or cucumbers. You must cut it into small pieces, blanch it properly and remove the seeds before offering it to your fish. Cucumber contains many nutrients and is also said to cure swim bladder infections in fish.

sweetcorn

You can feed your betta some cooked grains, but be sure to remove the outer shell. However, corn contains almost no digestible nutrients, and this can sometimes be harmful. So it’s important to remember not to feed corn often, but if you do, don’t give a fish more than one cooked kernel.

fruit

Betta love strawberries, apples, pears, mangoes, melons and especially cantaloupe. You can feed the tiny bits of these fruits, but keep them from time to time as if giving your aquatic pet a treat. You should never give any citrus fruits to fish as their digestive systems cannot handle the acidity. In addition, citrus fruits lower the pH of the tank, causing the water to become acidic.

Artemia and worms

As we know, bettas are used to eating small marine life; Therefore, feeding them raw, unseasoned shrimp or frozen worms would be a more substantial meal. It contains animal protein and other nutritional benefits that a betta would need to thrive.

Chicken

Betta fish would love to munch on soft-boiled chicken. Make sure it is finely chopped and free of sauces and herbs/spices. But don’t feed your fish chicken very often as eating too much terrestrial animal protein causes many health problems like obesity, high cholesterol and potential organ failure. The idea of ​​giving fish cooked chicken is purely for variety in their diet and is not necessary. Always make sure to remove the uneaten meat immediately so it doesn’t stay in the tank for long.

All of the above different foods should not be used as a main diet but should be fed occasionally as a treat. For cooked or blanched food, make sure it is completely cool before giving it to your fish.

Supplementing the betta fish diet with exclusive human food would certainly give them a nutritional boost, but you should watch out for overfeeding. Also, make sure you scoop up any leftover and uneaten food within a few hours of feeding.

How Much Human Food for Betta Fish?

Once you know what to feed, probably the most important thing is to have a complete understanding of how much to feed. The worst thing you can do to a fish is overfeed it. Isn’t it your responsibility to inquire about the correct amount to give a betta?

The betta’s stomach is about the size of its eye, so it’s always wise to feed it accordingly. For example, a quarter of a pea would be enough for a Betta.

Overfeeding can cause serious health problems in almost all fish and is no different in bettas. Betta fish can survive up to 10 days without food, so quell any doubts that cross your mind by feeding them half-belly; At least you don’t risk them getting a bloated tummy from overfeeding.

Also, sticking to a regular feeding schedule for your fish can be very helpful for their digestive system and overall well-being.

Adjusting Betta’s diet with human food

When attempting to supplement the diets of the sensitive species, it is important that you know what their natural diet consists of.

Bettas are obligate carnivores and require a high protein diet to maintain their health. This means that a significant portion of their normal diet must include insect material or commercial betta food available on the market. This is where they get most of the essential nutrients responsible for their survival and well-being, so nothing else is required other than standard nutrition.

However, if you want to add some variety, you can treat your betta fish to the foods above with little or no moderation.

In fact, not all bettas show an interest in leafy green vegetables or fruit as these are not part of their natural diet. So you might have a hard time getting your fish to eat that at first.

Just like us humans, fish can sometimes be picky about what they want to eat or not. But if you treat them to plant-based human food every now and then, they will eventually develop a habit of eating it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can bettas eat bread or crackers?

Bettas can eat it, but feeding them bread or crackers often is not recommended. First, it has little to no nutritional value for the fish and contains additives. Because bread contains yeast when it comes into contact with water, it expands, causing bloating and constipation in the fish.

Can You Feed Betta Fish Meat?

As we know, Bettas are carnivores, so technically meat isn’t bad for them. However, it is not natural for marine animals like fish to eat the flesh of land animals for proteins. In addition, farm animals are exposed to antibiotics and steroids, so preferably keep the meat option in your fish diet to a minimum.

Can you feed tuna to bettas?

Of all the human-only foods mentioned above, tuna comes closest to the natural diet of bettas. You can feed your fish small chunks of tuna from time to time, but make sure it’s fresh. Or if you plan on giving canned tuna to your fish, it shouldn’t be packaged in oil. Always opt for a flavorless variety with as few additives as possible, as it is more suitable for the betta fish to eat.

Conclusion

If you’ve made it to this section then you are familiar with the different types of human food that you can feed your bettas. The bottom line to keep in mind is this: the betta species cannot survive on human food alone, so feed them occasionally as a treat and don’t stick to the standard carnivore diet.

Also read:

Betta splendens are known for their brightly colored fins and are often kept in tanks decorated with colorful gravel. Gravel serves two purposes in Betta tanks. It provides both decoration and a surface for beneficial bacteria to grow on. Beneficial bacteria regulate biological filtration, the cycle by which waste products like uneaten fish food are broken down in a process that produces ammonia. Beneficial bacteria then convert the ammonia into less harmful substances such as nitrite and nitrate, improving the water quality in your betta tank. If beneficial bacteria don’t remove these substances from your tank, they can eventually poison your betta and cause it to become ill or die.

How Often Should You Clean Your Betta Aquarium?

How often you need to clean your fighting fish tank depends on several factors: Does your tank have a filter? how big is your aquarium Do you have more than one betta in your aquarium?

If you’ve read any of our other betta care articles, you know we really stress the importance of a filter. It not only controls the water quality, but also reduces time-consuming things like water changes or aquarium cleaning.

For a 19 liter fight tank with just one betta and one filter, you only need to completely clean it every 6 to 8 months.

Some planted aquariums with a good filter and a balanced ecosystem of “clean-up” aquarium mates can go years without cleaning.

If you are keeping your betta in a 4 gallon tank without a filter, you will likely need to clean it every 4 to 5 weeks as fish droppings and waste products can build up very quickly during this time.

However, typically, and especially for beginners, we do not recommend keeping a betta without a filter.

How long does it take to clean a battle tank?

It depends on how extensive you want to clean. If you have a Betta aquarium with some gravel, some ornaments, and some artificial plants, it won’t take too long. The aquariums recommended in our Best Betta Tanks article are easy to clean and don’t take too long.

A good time to clean your aquarium is when you do a water change. This can be either a small, maybe weekly, water change, or a large bi-monthly water change. This means you can add some fresh water to the aquarium after cleaning.

‍Read our page on water changes here.

How to carry out a thorough aquarium cleaning

First, prepare the water you plan to use for a water change. If you are doing a large water change (e.g. 80%) after cleaning, you will need to prepare this in advance and ensure it is the right water quality and temperature for your betta when it is returned to the tank. You can read more about water treatment here. That brings us to our next step: removing the fish. Remove the betta from the aquarium using a net or cup. You can keep the little guy in a large beaker (or similar) with some water from the aquarium while you clean him. Cover the makeshift container to keep your betta from jumping out. Next (when replacing water after cleaning) collect the percentage of aquarium water that needs to be added back to the aquarium and store in a clean container. For example, if you do an 80% water change, collect 20%, if you do 20%, collect 80%, etc. If your aquarium has a filter, a good place to collect the water is at the filter outlet nozzle. The remaining water can then be discarded so you can clean the aquarium. Next, remove any ornaments, rocks, or artificial plants, etc. Use a small spade or use your hands to scoop out the gravel and place it in a bucket. Once everything is removed from the aquarium, you can begin washing and scrubbing the aquarium. It’s okay to wash out the aquarium with tap water, but be sure to scrub the aquarium with something suitable as some cloths and towels contain cleaning chemicals that can be harmful to the aquarium. It’s best to use an aquarium scrub or something like a natural sea sponge. You can spray the sides of the aquarium with a small hose or a faucet tail. Once the inside looks clean and there’s no debris or debris left, you can start cleaning the other stuff. To wash the gravel, wash and sift it thoroughly until all debris and debris is removed. To clean the aquarium ornaments/artificial plants, simply wash under tap water and scrub. Now that everything is nice and clean, you can refill the gravel, replace any ornaments and artificial plants, and then start adding the water. Add the percentage of aquarium water you originally took out, then add the batch of freshly made water. Allow the system to filter for about 10 minutes. Check that the temperature is set correctly – if everything is fine, put your betta back in the tank. If you also want to change the filter cartridge, now is a good time to do so.

An important note: This is a very thorough method of cleaning the aquarium. This method is not necessarily required for every cleaning; There are less thorough methods of cleaning an aquarium, which we will explain below in relation to cleaning a complex aquarium. When you do a deep cleaning, remember that you don’t want to remove any of the beneficial bacteria in the aquarium when you do a deep cleaning like this. So be sure to keep a percentage of the original aquarium water as recommended.

Also, many of the beneficial bacteria in the filter media live inside the filter (unless it’s replaceable media like carbon or charcoal). To prevent the media from drying out during cleaning, either ensure the filter media compartment is filled with water (if it is retaining water after the water level has dropped) or remove the media and place it in a container with it aquarium water .

Some good aquarium vacuums to choose from: Laifoo Aquarium Siphon Vacuums OUR TOP RECOMMENDATION… A simple design with simple components and easy to use. OTHER WE RECOMMEND… Aquarium gravel cleaner Siphon by VIVOSUN Aquarium gravel cleaner by Hygger

My aquarium is complex! How do I clean it without removing everything?

If you have a complex aquarium, you need prepared water to fill up the aquarium after cleaning. The water lost during cleaning (removed by the vacuum cleaner) is dirty and we do not recommend reusing it.

Some aquariums can be more than just a bit of gravel and ornaments. They can be heavily planted, carefully arranged and contain more than one Betta, so moving everything around for cleaning can be a hassle. However, cleaning the aquarium without removing it is possible without great difficulty; here is how.

First, you’ll need two basic items: an aquarium gravel cleaner/vacuum (we’ve listed a few good options here), which can also be called an aquarium siphon, and an aquarium scrubber (magnetic if possible). Once you have these in hand, here’s what you can do:

Depending on how much water you want to remove from the aquarium by following the method below, you may or may not want to remove your betta from the aquarium. If desired, remove the betta from the aquarium using a net or cup. It’s okay to keep the betta in a large beaker (or something similar) with some water from the tank while you clean it. Cover the makeshift container to keep your betta from jumping out.

A gravel cleaner vacuums the gravel and removes any debris or debris. Gravel cleaners can be powered/motorized or work like a siphon. They are a long tube-like structure with two ends: the suction end (this is placed in the gravel) and the exit end (this is where water comes out with dirt – it should be placed in a bucket). Simply place the vacuum column in the gravel. If your cleaner isn’t motorized, you may need to shake the column slightly to start vacuuming (this has to do with the science of vacuuming). How this works is explained in the instructions for use that came with the cleaner. Once the cleaner begins to suck, move the column through the gravel. The vacuum cleaner does not carry away the gravel, but sucks up light dirt and debris in the gravel. However, water is removed from the aquarium. Vacuum the gravel around plants or ornaments and try to clean the gravel as best you can without disturbing the aquarium design. The movement of the gravel brings debris into the water, but if you have a filter it will catch the debris. Once the gravel looks thoroughly clean, examine the walls of the aquarium. If they need exfoliation, use a magnetic aquarium scrub to remove dirt or algae. You can scrub it off if you have a non-magnetic aquarium scrub. At this point, the water in your aquarium may look dirty. Pushing the siphon through the gravel sometimes doesn’t suck up all the waste. That’s fine; A good time to clean your aquarium is just before the water change. When cleaning the gravel, the cleaner removes a percentage of the water. Remember, the longer the cleaner is in the aquarium, the more water will be removed. You cannot refill the aquarium with the water removed by the cleaner, since this water contains large amounts of waste. If you are planning a large water change, remember that you MUST prepare the water in advance. For a water change of more than 50%, the water must be prepared in advance. Leave the aquarium for 10 minutes to allow the filter to remove any debris. Re-add the required percentage of fresh water. It’s a good idea to also change the filter cartridge at this stage as this will help remove any extra dirt.

Note: Depending on the strength and size of the vacuum, it may even make sense to remove the betta from the aquarium. We’ve never heard anyone say their betta got sucked up with a gravel vacuum while cleaning, but it’s best to be careful. The tubes of most aquarium vacuums are not big enough to suck up a betta anyway. Just be careful when cleaning the aquarium with your fish.

Some good aquarium scrubs to choose from: Aqueon Algae Cleaning Magnet OUR TOP RECOMMENDATION… Available online, cheap and effective. OTHER WE RECOMMEND… Acrylic Aquarium Specialty Mini Magnetic Cleaner by Carefree Fish Algae Cleaning Scraper by Lefunpets

Watch us clean a Betta aquarium

Our Bettaboxx Premium Membership includes a video course where we show you how to set up a betta aquarium from start to finish.

The course includes a video on aquarium care and how to clean your Betta aquarium.

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Related Content

While caring for a Betta is a relatively easy task, there are a few things that one needs to be aware of before owning a Betta. Tank conditions and the perfect tank setup for your Betta is something every Betta owner needs to be aware of to ensure a comfortable life for the Betta.

When setting up an aquarium, it is important to be aware of what substrate is best for the betta. There are mainly two types of substrates namely sand and gravel. In this article we will talk about the gravel substrate, mainly gravel for Betta.

Before going any further, one must be clear about what a substrate is. The material that forms the bottom of the aquarium is called the substrate. There are a variety of substrates, but the most commonly used are sand and gravel. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages.

Choosing the right substrate is a difficult and confusing task, but one must choose the best option to ensure a comfortable life for the betta.

Gravel for Betta: How to Choose

There is a wide range of gravel to choose from, but which one is the best to make your betta feel like a betta? That is the question. To keep the Betta safe and healthy, it is important to know what type of gravel to use; Otherwise it might harm the fish.

Now comes the important question of which gravel is the best for the Betta. The short answer would be the Royal Imports 5lb Small Decorative Ornamental River Pebbles. This gravel is the perfect shape and size, giving the aquarium a natural look. The best options will be discussed in detail in the article.

Overview of the 5 best gravel for bettas

Pebble Name Advantages Disadvantages Royal Imports 5 pound small ornamental ornamental river pebbles, ideal size

Looks natural

Smooth and round Must be soaked beforehand

Need more quantity Spectrastone Premium Grave Provides a natural look

Easier to clean

Does not affect water chemistry. Supports plants well. Nutrients unavailable to plants

The waste is trapped between GloFish Aquarium Gravel Aquarium specifically

quality brand

good size

Accentuates the color of the betta. Doesn’t look natural

Quantity needed more Carib Sea ACS00832 Peace River Gravel Ideal for plantsPH neutralLooks natural Could be small for the aquarium

Can be vacuumed up using a Spectrastone Shallow Creek Regular vacuum perfect size for freshwater aquariums

PH-level neutral

Makes the Betta’s color lighter than most other gravels and would appear dull

Top 5 gravel for bettas

1. Royal Imports 5lb Small Decorative Decorative River Pebbles

They are one of the most popular betta fish gravel available on the market with many positive reviews on Amazon. They have the perfect and give the aquarium a natural look. They are also very smooth, taking away the fear of the betta cutting itself on gravel.

However, this type of gravel is not exclusive to aquariums and must be soaked in boiling water before being placed in the tank. Also, a few bags must be purchased to properly fill a five-gallon tank.

2. Spectrastone Premium Tomb

The most commonly used betta fish gravel in an aquarium. This type of gravel also gives your aquarium a natural look as it is made up of a mixture of small river pebbles. This type has a mix of different sizes of gravel, giving it a natural look of a real stream or river.

It can anchor rooted plants fairly well, but they don’t provide necessary nutrients for heavy rooted plants. The gravel must be cleaned regularly to remove all debris.

3. GloFish aquarium gravel

The second best option after Royal Imports Gravel. GloFish is a reputable company and the gravel has no adverse effects on the fish. They also offer a wide range of colors and are available specifically for aquariums. This is a perfect betta fish gravel as the color of the gravel would help bring out the color of the betta.

The only downside is that it makes the aquarium look unnatural as it comes in a variety of colors.

4. Carib Sea ACS00832 Peace River Gravel

This gravel looks completely natural and replicates the natural habitats of bettas. This is the perfect size for plants and will help spread their roots. They are also pH neutral and there is no need to worry about this affecting the water chemistry.

5. Spectrastone Shallow Creek Regular for freshwater aquariums

Perfect size and color neutrality make the Betta’s colors pop. They are also pH neutral.

The only downside is that they are very light, which some people might not like.

Which Betta Fish Gravel Color Looks Best in an Aquarium?

Ultimately, choosing which color looks best in your aquarium comes down to personal preference. Some people like a natural look, some like different colors. So whatever you feel looks better is what you should choose.

Betta fish prefer colors that replicate their natural habitat.

must, read | Penang Betta: Southeast Asian beauty

How deep should the aquarium gravel be?

When placing gravel, it should be neither flat nor too deep. The ideal depth is considered 1.5 inches, but 1.2 inches is also considered suitable for any aquarium. If planning to have a lot of plants in the aquarium, the upper end of the amount of gravel is better to ensure that the plant roots have enough room to grow.

The larger the aquarium, the more gravel you need.

How often should the aquarium gravel be replaced?

In an aquarium environment, if you make sure the tank is cleaned regularly, you won’t have to change it often. With regular cleaning, the gravel can be used for years. However, if you feel like changing the tank’s appearance, you can change it at any time.

Be sure to change the betta fish from the aquarium to a 5 gallon bucket filled with water before changing the gravel. Otherwise, the fish can become extremely stressed. The bucket should be free of debris to keep the fish safe. It is very important to keep the fish as still as possible.

It is better not to change the gravel after changing the filter. The gravel contains beneficial bacteria that the new filter lacks. Changing the gravel in such a situation will lead to poisoning of the aquarium with the bioburst of fish.

It is better not to feed the fish before changing the gravel. This prevents the fish from excreting, which in turn prevents the rise in ammonia, nitrate and nitrite levels.

It is important to rinse the gravel well with water before placing in boiling water. Don’t hesitate to wash them several times until the water runs clear.

Be sure to turn off the filter.

Continue siphoning water from the main aquarium into the catch tank or bucket. Be prepared to siphon at least 50% of the water from the main tank into the holding tank.

Immediately move the bettas to the catch basin along with the other decorations and aquatic plants. The aquatic plants and other decorations might offer some chance to keep some bacteria alive.

Because bettas can jump, don’t forget to cover the catch tank.

Now refill the main tank to the brim with treated water and turn on the aquarium filter.

Proceed to remove the old gravel from the tank. Also vacuum the leftover gravel dust from the aquarium. This ensures that no residue is left that could harm the aquarium.

Now add new clean gravel to the aquarium and replace the decorations, aquatic plants and finally the bettas.

It is recommended to check the ammonia level over the next few days to make sure everything is ok.

If you notice ammonia spikes, keep replacing the water until the level returns to normal.

Difference between sand and gravel substrates

Gravel substrate is better for most freshwater aquariums as it allows water to flow through the gravel, preventing the unwanted growth of bacteria and amoebas. If these unwanted organisms grow, it could affect the health of the fish. Gravel also offers a wide range of colors and one can choose the best color that best suits the betta. Gravel substrates are heavy enough not to be drawn into the water tank and affect the filtration system.

Sand doesn’t let water through, but if there are burrowing fish, they would help clean the sand. The sand looks natural and resembles the natural conditions of lakes and rivers. Some plants prefer sand over gravel. Sand also needs to be changed less often compared to gravel because sand has no interstitial space and food and waste particles don’t get caught and rot underneath.

Also read | The best safe way to transport a betta fish in a car

Frequently Asked Questions about Gravel for Betta

What Color Of Gravel Is Best For Betta Fish? Some fish owners choose red or pink colors. Bettas like natural looking colors and gravel. But at the end of the day, it is each individual’s personal preference. Do bettas need special gravel? Gravel is more preferred as the waste does not go deep down and is easy to clean and maintain. Is gravel bad for bettas? Gravel allows good bacteria to grow and keeps the plants in the aquarium down. However, coral sand and marble chips should be avoided at all costs. And some gravel will make the Betta’s colors stand out.

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Conclusion

Making a betta feel right at home is something every owner should make sure of, and the aquarium setting plays a big part in that. The substrate of the aquarium also plays a major role in making the fish feel more comfortable.

In order to choose the best substrate setting for your fish, you need to be aware of the various options, and this article will discuss one of the two main options. Hope that was helpful!

Many Betta owners are very aware of how active their fish are. But compared to other fish, your Betta may seem more lethargic or prefer to sleep more. Is that normal? How can you tell if your fish is sleeping normally or if something is actually wrong? Here are some signs you might observe.

What is sleeping in bettas?

All fish, including bettas, sleep. They don’t need a soft bed or even eyelids, and most fish don’t sleep like you or your fluffy pets. Instead, fish sleep in a low-metabolism state. Most of their brain function is shut down, but they still have the ability to respond to imminent threats. A fish’s specialized organ for sensing water movement and vibration, the lateral line, is a fast-reacting organ that can alert a sleeping fish to any imminent danger.

Your fish sleep when it’s dark, so an appropriate photoperiod of light and dark cycles is essential for all indoor tanks. Typically 10-14 hours of light per day is adequate for tropical fish. If you can’t turn the lights on in the morning and off at night, an automatic light timer is an important addition to your system. Some lights even have a morning and evening period where the light slowly changes from dark to bright and vice versa. Your light period should match your local light and dark cycles unless you live at a very high latitude.

When your fish are sleeping, they cannot close their eyes because fish do not have eyelids. The eyelids of many land animals are important for lubricating the eyeball, and if you live underwater, lubrication is all around you. Sleeping fish may get wedged in a crevice or cave, or if it’s a betta, find a quiet, shallow roosting spot such as a bed. B. a leaf or a decorative item. Bettas really like to sleep in large flat leaves, such as B. Stick-on betta leaf hammocks available at most pet stores. Bettas without leaf decor can find a place on a flat rock or even lie on the bottom of the aquarium substrate.

Why do Bettas sleep a lot?

In the fish kingdom, Bettas fall on the lazier spectrum and require longer rest periods than many other pet fish. Their long, ornate fins take a lot of energy to pull through the water, a trait many other pet fish don’t have. Some fancy goldfish species can also have long fins, and these fish require significantly more energy to swim than their short-finned counterparts, especially when they have powerful, compact bodies.

Imagine trying to swim in a pool in a ball gown. It can be a very difficult way to swim as you are carrying a lot of material that does not help you swim. This is very similar to a betta fish hauling around a long, ornate tail. In order to survive, they take extended rest periods between meals.

Temperature is critical to proper fish activity, including metabolism, growth and immune function. Fish of different species have a specific optimal temperature at which they function best. For bettas, this is a tropical temperature of around 25-28°C. Your Betta aquarium will need a heater to keep the water at the best temperature for their activity. If your water is too cold, your betta will rest more than usual simply because it has a slower metabolism.

Signs of increased sleeping in Bettas

Your betta’s activity level can vary widely, even within a normal range. It is important not to compare your Betta to fish you have previously owned or to fish found on the internet. Your betta may only be active during mealtimes or may be constantly dashing around its tank. There is no percentage of swim and sleep time that is “normal” for all bettas.

It is important to evaluate the change in your Betta swimming versus sleeping over time. Any new fish will likely hide or rest more often than fish that have been in their tanks for a while. A normal activity adaptation period can take a few days or a few weeks for a new fish to settle in.

If you’re worried about your fish sleeping more than usual, start a log and make videos to compare them to different time periods. Pay close attention to meal times and how your betta reacts to having food added to it. These notes will be very helpful in determining the cause of your betta’s excessive sleeping. Monitor your fish’s body condition to see if they are gaining weight, which may be a cause of them being less active.

How to stop excessive sleeping

If you’ve noticed an increase in your betta’s sleep time, the first thing to do is check your water temperature. Remember, bettas need warm water and their aquarium needs a heater. Don’t rely on stick thermometers, use a tank thermometer. This will give you the most reliable temperature. While digital thermometers are more convenient, they don’t have the durability of standard glass thermometers.

When your betta’s water temperature is appropriate and all other water parameters are within normal limits, it’s time to review its diet. If the container of betta food is more than 6 months old, the vitamin C content has greatly decreased and needs to be replaced. You should feed your betta two to three times a day, giving it enough pellets that would theoretically fit in one of its eyeballs. Frozen food supplementation is fine for bettas provided the majority of their diet consists of pellets with a full nutritional profile.

If your betta is getting enough of a quality diet and has a warm tank with good water quality, but is still sleeping excessively, it’s time to call your aquarium vet. Common betta diseases, including mycobacteria commonly known as fish tuberculosis, can cause your fish to be more lethargic and sleep more. The sooner your fish gets veterinary care, the quicker the recovery will be.

It is very important to provide your little betta fish with a safe and comfortable place to rest, hide and sleep. Just like us, your betta needs a shelter and bed to be happy and comfortable.

The placement of your accommodation is just as important as the type of accommodation. Betta fish are anabantoids, also known as labyrinth fish, meaning they have a labyrinthine organ that works similar to our lungs and need air to breathe.

things to consider

Since a betta’s natural environment is relatively shallow, attempting to provide it with a home at the bottom of a deep tank could either result in it drowning or in not using it at all. If you have a deep tank, look for things that might provide a perch, or build the aquascape high enough to be near the surface or about halfway down.

The opening needs to be wide enough and light enough for the bettas to find and move in and out of, as we don’t want them to feel trapped. This means that clear enclosures such as plexiglass or glass should be avoided even if the opening is wide enough. This type of material can be used to make housings of a custom shape, but it needs to be covered or coated to make it clear to the fish that there is an obstruction. If the fish cannot see the walls, they may have a hard time finding the exit as they will get caught in it.

The opening does not have to be on the side, it can also be on top. As long as your betta has enough cover to get out of the light if it so chooses, it would be happy with most setups.

Benefits of giving your Betta a home

Simply put, a happy Betta is an active Betta and providing your Betta a place to sleep, hide, rest and play is one of the easiest ways to help him stay happy and comfortable.

Long stemmed plants not only provide your betta a place to play and hide, they could also provide a place to roost and rest. Since bettas are more comfortable amidst medium density plantings, consider using actual plants to provide a home for your betta, which can also bring its own added benefits. For more information about plants, see our articles:

When you design your aquarium’s aquascape with your betta’s future home in mind, you can determine what style of aquascape you might use, as well as the type of materials. For information about aquascaping and materials, please read our articles:

So, a nice little home for your Betta fish will not only help improve their well-being, they can also be integrated into the overall design of your aquarium and complement the aesthetics of your systems.

Different Types of Betta Houses

Here are some of the different types of products that can be used as housing for your betta fish.

Broadleaf Plants

Not only can real plants provide your betta a place to play and hide, some plants like the amazon sword and anubias have broad leaves that the betta can use as a bed.

plastic plants

By using plastic plants with broad leaves, they can help complement the aesthetics of your aquarium while providing betta for your betta.

Pending logs

Available in both natural cork bark and synthetic foam, these floating logs provide your betta not only with a place to sleep and hide, but also something to play with.

Betta Leaf Hammocks

A simple but effective device. The hammock’s appearance can range from hyper-realistic to colorful and vibrant, and is held in place with a simple suction cup. Since these hammocks can be placed anywhere there is enough space, they offer greater flexibility in designing your aquarium aquascape.

housing and decor

From the humble den or log to the more elaborate designs, a simple enclosure that gives your betta a place to hide can make a superb home. You can build your own den by stacking rocks and stones or laying driftwood over it and covering it with java moss. The only thing to remember when making your own is to make sure the components are securely fastened in place. Rocks and stones are glued in place, and the driftwood doesn’t collapse on itself.

If you’re not too sure about building your own dens and hideouts, there are pre-made options too.

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Betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, are among the most popular freshwater aquarium pets. It can be a joy to watch these beautiful and graceful creatures. But there may come a time when your betta will flee into a corner or under something. Why is your betta fish hiding?

Betta fish can hide for many reasons and I’ve listed some of the most common ones below:

Your betta doesn’t like the light.

Your betta’s tank is too small.

Your Betta will want to avoid other tankmates.

The current in your tank is too strong.

Your betta may be sick or injured.

Your Betta is depressed.

It is important that you understand what type of behavior your betta is exhibiting so that you can provide an appropriate environment or take other necessary steps to resolve the problem.

In this post we look at some of the most common reasons betta fish hide in corners of their tank or under things and what you can do if your betta is exhibiting this behavior.

Bettas generally will not hide unless they are uncomfortable, so your primary goal should be to improve your pet’s health and happiness.

Be sure to check out our Betta Fish Care Guide and Species Overview.

Why is my betta fish hiding in the corners of the tank?

In the wild, a betta’s environment offers many hiding places. They are voracious hunters, so bettas usually hide among plants, and they far prefer being hidden to being out in the open.

If your betta is hiding in the corners of its tank, you can probably blame its new surroundings. Setting up your aquarium should take into account a betta’s need for hiding spots. If your betta doesn’t have a good hiding spot, it will naturally retreat to the edges of the tank and often sit behind the filter.

1. How much light do bettas need?

People often think that Bettas enjoy the bright lights you will find in aquariums with many different types of light settings, but Bettas actually prefer dimmer lights because their natural environment would not have bright, sunny areas.

In the wild, a Bettas environment would be heavily planted and offers many naturally dark areas for them to hide in. They will find the darkest corner of their tank and hide there.

Why not read my post on how well betta fish can see in the dark?

2. Bettas like plants

As I mentioned above, plants make up a large part of a wild Betta’s natural habitat, providing plenty of natural shade and hiding places.

Floating plants are a popular choice for a Betta aquarium because they are not too dense and sit at the water’s surface, blocking some of the harsh light from entering.

It doesn’t matter if you use live plants or artificial plants. They serve the same purpose by giving your betta a different hiding spot than the corners of your betta tank.

Plants and ornaments are good decorations for a Betta aquarium

If you choose to use fake plants, you won’t get the same benefits as real ones, such as: B. increasing oxygen levels in the tank and promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria that keep your tank water balanced. Whether you use real or artificial plants to provide some natural shade, either will do.

Many recent Betta owners keep a fairly empty tank, which is far from the perfect environment for a Betta fish. A betta feels threatened and constantly exposed without hiding.

Betta fish feel safe when they have plenty of hiding spots to choose from and are more likely to stay outdoors longer. Ornaments or small cavernous decorations provide some hiding places and can add some character to your tank.

If you’re really interested in setting up your betta tank properly, I have an article here: Setting Up a Betta Tank (The Right Way!).

3. Is the water current in your pool too strong?

Wild bettas are used to slow moving water. So if the filter you are using is too strong for its tank size, the current created will also be too strong and cause your betta to hide.

When the water current is too strong, Bettas tend to seek shelter behind the filter or below the filter inlet where the current is weakest. If you find your bedfish hanging out in these areas, you can be pretty sure your filter flow rate is too strong.

When purchasing a filter, make sure it is appropriate for the size of your aquarium, or purchase an adjustable flow filter that has a low setting. Betta fish like some water movement provided they can easily swim in and play in a slow moving current. A slower current will also give your betta some exercise.

If you cannot reduce the flow rate of your filter, it is best to raise the outlet or outlet hose an inch or two above the water level and keep the inlet submerged. This causes the water to drip into the tank and disturb the surface water more, but reduces the overall flow rate.

By raising the filter, you also improve the level of dissolved oxygen entering the water.

Is Your Betta Tank Too Small?

If your betta tank is too small, a betta will feel exposed and vulnerable to threats. A betta’s instinct is to protect itself from predators and it needs room to run when necessary. A betta that feels restricted and has nowhere to run will be under constant stress and will want to hide most of the time.

Some people think that betta fish like to be in tight spaces, which is not true.

Many people believe that because wild betta fish can be found in tiny puddles and sluggish streams, they can also thrive in tiny tanks. Although betta fish can live in very shallow water, they require space to swim and hide. The puddles and streams they live in may be shallow, but they are quite extensive and provide ample territory for several bettas to live peacefully.

I won’t go into detail about what tank size is best for a betta, but ideally you should consider 5 gallons and up. A 5 gallon tank is generally too small, and instead a 15-20 gallon tank would be ideal for even a single Betta fish.

Your Betta will want to avoid other tankmates

If your betta lives in a community aquarium with other tank mates, they may occasionally want to isolate themselves from the other residents. This is not only a betta behavior, but also something that many other fish species do.

When bettas hide, it usually means they are feeling overwhelmed or threatened in some way. Many bettas live with tankmates they don’t get along with, and some of these fish can be real finbiters, which is not good news for long-finned bettas.

Try rearranging the layout of your aquarium if you notice your betta hiding or burrowing under decorations or plants. If you keep bettas with other fish, do your research to find the best aquarium mates that pose the least threat.

Male and female betta fish can sometimes coexist peacefully in the right environment, and sometimes this is necessary for their mating. Take a look at another article I wrote: Can Male And Female Betta Fish Live Together (Tips For Success!) if you want to learn more.

Under no circumstances should you risk keeping two male Betta fish in the same tank as you will only ask for trouble. Male bettas are best kept separate or you will see many bouts of aggression and fin-slapping, which is quite normal behavior between male bettas.

Betta fish have even been known to become aggressive towards their own reflection in the tank glass and you can observe this behavior by inserting a mirror into the aquarium.

Mirrors are a much better way to keep your betta some company as they can be inserted for a short time before being removed and there is very little harm to the betta from a mirror.

I have a post titled Make Betta Fish Like Mirrors which is interesting reading and explains in a bit more detail the benefits of using a mirror in your betta aquarium.

You may have a sick or injured betta

Of course, if you have a sick or injured betta, it will feel less able to defend itself against threats and will often hide until it recovers.

Several diseases need to be considered, the most common being fin rot and Ich (white spot). I have an article on fin rot that you may find useful which you can find here: What Causes Fin Rot in Betta (Symptoms & Treatment Guide)

Disease in Betta fish

Many diseases are difficult to detect and many are caused by stress reducing a betta fish’s immunity to certain germs and allowing bacterial infection.

If you think a disease is to blame, the first thing you should do is examine the water parameters in your Betta tank. A healthy and balanced tank will help you keep healthy fish.

The water parameters to be checked are:

Ammonia, nitrate and nitrite levels.

The pH of the water.

water temperature.

Test for the presence of chlorine and other chemicals.

Water quality problems are a major cause of fish disease and can lead to bacterial infections or nitrite poisoning. When food and fish waste builds up in your aquarium, ammonia levels rise, causing a sudden increase in nitrate and nitrite levels.

Nitrite poisoning is extremely dangerous, so you need to monitor your betta fish very closely for signs of stress or illness. You can use a liquid betta test kit from a local fish store or online to test your betta’s water for nitrite poisoning. It is always better to prevent a problem than to cure it after the betta fish has been exposed to the toxins.

Find the best price for water parameter test strips on Amazon or Chewy.

Use a test kit to regularly test your aquarium’s water parameters

Understanding general betta behavior is a great way to know if your betta fish is healthy or not. A betta should be very active, constantly exploring and flaring its tank to show off its betta colors to the fullest.

If you notice any unusual behavior from your betta, e.g. For example, if it’s lying on the bottom of the betta tank, shying away from betta food, or generally looking unwell, you probably have a sick or dying betta.

Injury in Betta fish

Injury can also cause your betta to hide. If other fish caused the injury, you will need to stop further incidents or your betta will not want to be an active member of the tank.

If you can see obvious damage to your betta’s scales or fins, the damage was probably caused by fighting, but as I mentioned above, fin rot in bettas is common and can look similar. Injury can also lead to fin rot, so proper treatment may be needed.

Do Betta Fish Get Depressed?

Betta fish get depressed, and why wouldn’t they be stuck in a tank away from their natural habitat. All animals have natural instincts that are dulled in captivity, which can result in a betta becoming unmotivated and depressed.

Depression can show up in a number of ways, such as:

Hidden in the tank.

Loss of appetite or your betta just stops eating altogether.

Unusual behavior such as biting one’s own fins.

Exercise is a great way to keep your betta interested and there are many toys that you can either buy online or even try making yourself.

A simple battle ball is a very popular toy. It is a simple floating ball, often with different patterns or colors, that floats on the surface. If you find your betta fish hiding, place a betta ball in the aquarium. Once your betta gets used to it, you may find that your betta spends many hours pushing it around.

A simple ping pong ball will do if you don’t have a betta ball. You can color it or draw patterns on it to make the ball a little more interesting.

I also mentioned earlier in this post that betta mirrors are a good form of exercise. The sight of their reflection may initially provoke some aggression from your betta and cause gill bloating, but this is natural and will help your betta release some pent up energy.

Unless your betta is overly attached to the mirror, I would only use it for short periods of around 15-20 minutes.

Zoo Med Betta Training Mirror Zoo Med Betta Training Mirror Betta training mirrors are an excellent way to get your betta out of its shell. Your betta will likely exhibit aggressive flaring with this cheater in its tank, but flaring is great exercise and helps reduce constipation and other ailments. Zoo Med’s exercise mirrors are pretty cheap considering how often you would use them. The mirror is attached to a floating ball so your Betta can easily push it around. Find the best price for Zoo Med Betta Mirror on Amazon or Chewy

As with people, exercise is a great way to beat the blues and get rid of depression. If you can coax your betta out of hiding and create a new routine for him, you will find that your betta will hide less and look forward to some playtime.

Conclusion

As you can see, a betta fish can go into hiding for a variety of reasons, from poor water quality, bullying from aquarium mates, to general depression.

The better you know your Betta, the easier it will be to diagnose the problem. The environment is often the culprit, and we have a guide to setting up a betta tank (The Right Way) if you’re interested.

Hopefully this guide has given you a few things to think about and I hope it helps you solve your Betta hiding problem. You may have gleaned some insight into better Betta care along the way.

frequently asked Questions

If you notice your Betta fish hiding, it could be a sign that something is wrong. Before you start changing anything in your aquarium, you should find out what is causing your betta to hide so you know the best way to fix it. In this article, you’ll learn the most common reasons bettas hide and what you can do about it!

Common Reasons for Hiding a Betta Fish

There are many reasons that can cause your betta fish to hide, and not all of them will be terrible. Here are the most common reasons why and what you can do about it.

Not enough places to hide

It sounds counterintuitive, but if there aren’t enough hiding spots in your betta’s tank, it may be hiding in the same spot more often.

The reason is that they don’t feel safe. In the wild, betta fish can easily become prey to larger fish, so they prefer to be in areas with lots of hiding places.

If your Betta feels like he is too far out with nowhere to hide, then he will stay in his same hiding place all the time.

solution

The obvious solution here is to add a lot more hiding places for him, caves, driftwood and plants will create many different and interesting hiding places for your betta.

And not only do they make him feel safe, but they also give him plenty of places to explore so he doesn’t get bored.

Filter current too strong

If you have a lot of hiding places and decorations in your tank and your betta is always hiding in them, then it could be because the current is too strong.

Unfortunately, a betta’s beautiful flowing fins make it difficult for them to swim in strong currents.

solution

If you think the current in your tank is too strong, it can be difficult to find a solution. However, there are a few things you can try.

First of all, you can angle your filter outlet so that it comes out of the water. This will slow the flow and better aerate your tank.

Second, you could try drilling some holes in the exit hose. Make sure the holes are tiny and don’t add loads at once. Just add one at a time until the flow is slow enough.

Third, you can try covering the nozzle of your filter with some filter sponge. This drastically reduces the amount of water escaping and slows down the flow.

lights too bright

Unless the water current is the cause and there are enough hiding spots, the light in your tank may be too bright. A betta’s natural habitat is usually densely planted with plenty of shade.

If the light in your aquarium is too bright and your Betta senses it, he may be constantly trying to hide.

solution

Again, there are a few things you can do to fix this problem. The easiest way, of course, is to turn off the light. If you don’t have a planted tank, turn off the lights and see if your betta spends more time outdoors.

In addition, you can also invest in a light fixture with adjustable light settings. This is probably the best choice as your betta will be in a darker tank but the plants in your tank will still be getting light.

Finally, try adding some floating plants in your tank. Duckweed is a good choice and will create lots of shadows in your aquarium, making your betta feel more secure.

A problem with the water

When something is wrong with the water, it can often cause your Betta to behave in strange ways, such as: B. Hides all the time when he hasn’t done so before.

You should test the water with the API master test kit to make sure the pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels are all okay and act quickly if they are not.

solution

If after testing the water you find something is wrong with it, there are a few things you can do.

If it’s related to ammonia, nitrites, or nitrates, you should do a water change immediately to lower the ppm of each. You want ammonia and nitrites at 0ppm and nitrates at 20ppm.

In addition, you can also try adding ammonia detoxifiers. While it won’t remove ammonia from your tank, it will render it inert. Which is beneficial for the bacteria in your aquarium that have yet to eat it.

If the pH is too high or too low (not neutral), you need to adjust the pH. If you want to know how to do that, you should read this article.

New in the tank

If your betta is new to the aquarium, it can hide all day until it feels safe. This is a very common sign in new bettas and is nothing to worry about.

solution

Unfortunately there is no solution for this. All you can do is try and keep the tank nice and still until it gets more comfortable. It may be a good idea to turn off the lights in the tank for a while and make sure the tank isn’t being disturbed.

Do you have a blind or partially blind betta? Read some tips on how to take care of them.

Your Betta is injured

If your betta is injured, it will hide more often. An endangered animal in the wild is more likely to be hunted, so they will do everything possible not to show they are in pain.

solution

When your Betta gets outside, take a good look at him and see if you notice any damage. This is most likely the case if he was recently sent to your home and didn’t handle him very well.

If you notice damage to your betta, consider adding some API Stress Coat to the tank. This will reduce the stress he is feeling until his injuries are better.

Your Betta is sick

In addition to being injured, your betta could be sick. Again, to avoid being vulnerable when sick, he can hide in the tank.

solution

If your betta is sick, you need to examine it for symptoms. Some common symptoms of illness such as not eating and lethargy. Here is a list of betta diseases and illnesses that will help you diagnose your betta.

A depressed Betta

Unfortunately, it is sometimes possible for your Betta to become depressed, which usually occurs in aquariums where their needs are not being met. However, if it is not stimulated for a long time, depression can also occur.

solution

To fix depression in your Betta, you should start adding lots of new stimuli to the tank. Decorations and toys are a good place to start. If you think your Betta has a peaceful temperament and the tank is large enough, you can add some tank mates for him as well.

You should also make sure that he is in a tank that is large enough. If you have a Betta, 5 gallons should be the minimum size of his tank, but bigger is always better.

And finally, you could try showing him his own reflection. This awakens his instinct to protect and defend his territory and may shake him out of his depression.

If your betta fish is turning brown, find out the possible reasons here.

Your Bettas temperament

Finally, it could simply be your Betta’s temperament. All Bettas have different personalities and attitudes and this might just be part of your Betta. If he’s hiding all the time and you’re sure it’s not caused by something else, then don’t worry!

Maybe he’ll come out of his shell in his own time.

If you are looking for a complete guide to betta fish care, click here!

FAQ

Why is my Betta hiding in the corner of the tank?

If you notice your betta hiding in a corner of the tank, the most likely cause is that there are not enough hiding spots in the tank. If there aren’t enough hiding spots, he’ll try to retreat as far back as possible to discourage other fish or predators from attacking him

Why isn’t my Betta eating and hiding all day?

If you notice this, there could be several reasons. First of all, if you’ve just introduced your betta to his new home, it’s probably because he’s stressed and needs time to adjust.

However, if you’ve had it for a while and this is happening, then it could be caused by illness or injury.

Summary – Why is your betta hiding?

As you can see, there are a few different reasons your betta fish might be hiding. Here is a quick summary of the most common:

There aren’t enough hiding spots, fix this by providing plants, driftwood, and decorations for him.

The filter current is too strong. Try to aim slightly out of the water if possible, otherwise poke holes in the outlet nozzle or try covering it with a sponge.

Maybe the lights are too bright. Try turning them off, adding more shade, or buying adjustable lights.

It could also be a problem with the water conditions. Check ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH levels.

If he’s new to the tank, he might be hiding.

He could also be sick, ill or injured.

It’s also a sign of depression in bettas if they hide and don’t move all day.

And finally, it might just be his temper.

Does your betta live alone?

If so, then you might be interested in learning more about many tankmates that can live with them. So check out the Ultimate Betta Tank Mate Guide, which will teach you about 68 different tank mates that can live with your betta, as well as fish to avoid. You’ll also learn how to create the perfect environment for buddies, how to introduce tankmates, and more! So check it out!

If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out the rest of the site! And if you have more questions, you can ask them in the Q&A section!

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