Betta fish are considered to be some of the heartiest fish you can purchase, but is this really true? Yes and no. It is true that Betta fish are pretty stout, but this is a somewhat misguided rumor. They got their reputation due to the fact that they can live in some of the dirtiest and cloudiest water out there. The reason for this is because they have the ability to get oxygen direct from the air due to an organ in their bodies. In fact, Betta fish are much like any other exotic fish how to take care of a betta fish  you need to take care of them diligently.

I put together this short guide in order to help Betta fish owners care for their Bettas. If you head this advice, you should have a happy, healthy Betta fish living in your home.

Betta Fish Care-Free Guide-Steps

The fist thing you want to do once you have selected your fish is to get them a new home. Ditch the jar from the store that is completely ridiculous! Would you want to live in a closet your whole life? Ok, so you want to look for something at a bare minimum of the 1 gallon range. This allows your new family member some swimming room. Now I have seen some pretty creative homes such as a large vases etc. You can get ideas by searching the internet for Betta fish tanks. Plenty of pictures are available.

Next you want to stock the home with a few items to give it that homey feel for your Betta. Think in terms of tank accessories that are going to be fin friendly. Why? As you have probably learned, Bettas tend to have long, beautiful fins that can easily touch things, get caught and tear. So, what you want to look for are things such as smooth pebbles, rocks for the bottom. Soft plant or two depending on tank size. Maybe one small item that sits on the floor of the tank that won't catch the Betta's fins. You may also want to color coordinate the tank and its accessories with the room your Betta will be in.

Filling and replacing the water is essential to good Betta Fish care. If you are using the recommended minimum size of 1 gal you can replace about one third to one half of the water once a week without any severe issues. If you do this, then about once a month it is good to completely clean out the tank. The reason for this is the build up of your fish's fecal matter on the bottom of the tank. You want to get rid of all that build up for obvious health reasons.