Male betta fish named Rockamolly
Betta Splendens
Anabantids
Belontiidae
Macropodinae
1 gallon—Betta enthusiasts stress that a gallon is the absolute minimum. It is not for exercise but for heat; it is impossible to heat any tank smaller than a gallon (and even that is difficult), and betta fish cannot thrive in unheated water—cold temperatures compromise their immune system, causing stress and illness.
Top
Easy
Aggressive with other males. Will sometimes chase and kill females as well.
Picky about their tankmates. They are easily irritated by other fish and do not mind living alone. Males should never be kept together, period. It is very rare to have a pair of males live together without eventually fighting and injuring themselves. Even if they don't fight (unlikely), they will still be far more stressed than if left alone. Males and females should never be kept together except briefly for breeding purposes. Bettas are solitary fish and do not need tankmates. While they can, of course, be kept with other suitable fish, bettas should never be kept with other bettas. If you have other fish in the tank, it is recommended to pick tropical fish about the same size, not aggressive fish, also with barbs and bottom dwellers. Males will fight, sometimes to the death, with other males. They are territorial during breeding and aggressive toward female bettas after spawning. Can be tolerant with females and other fish that should not be kept with boisterous tankmates. Will even attack their own reflections in the mirror.
2 - 3 years
3 inches (7 cm)
Planted with some floating plants. Change their water often; at least 25% once a week. Depending on the tank size, a 100% water change is necessary once a week for any tank a gallon or smaller. Be sure to monitor the temperature when doing water changes, as temperature fluctuations can harm the fish. An in-aquarium thermometer is necessary to monitor the temperature and make sure it does not change rapidly or drop below 75 degrees. Do not need an air pump; they can breathe the air from the top of the tank.
Freshwater
6.8 - 7.4
Mid-range
75° - 86° F (24° - 30° C)
Flakes, frozen foods, small betta pellets; likes live food. Some have said they can live on lily roots alone, but this is a myth. They need to be fed at least once a day.
Males have longer fins.
Egg layer, will build a bubble nest. Males entice the females under the nest. Eggs hatch in a short 24 hours. Males will guard the eggs. Do not keep too many males in the same tank. Male bettas may eat the young after they hatch.
Southeast Asia, Laos, Myanmar, Colombia, sluggish waters
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Male betta fish named Yoshonkah
Male betta fish named Yoshonkah
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Male betta fish named Buster
Male betta fish named Buster
Male betta fish named Buster
Male betta fish named Kung Fu
Male betta fish named Kung Fu
Male betta fish named Kung Fu
Male betta fish named Kung Fu
Male betta fish named Kung Fu
Male betta fish named Rockamolly
Male betta fish named Rockamolly
Male betta fish named Rockamolly
Male betta fish named Rockamolly
Male betta fish named Shaminticka
Male betta fish named Shaminticka
Male betta fish named Shaminticka
Male betta fish named Shaminticka
Male betta fish named Shaminticka
Male red betta fish
Male red betta fish
Two betta fish tanks side-by-side. Both bettas are male, so they cannot be kept in the same aquarium.
These two male bettas have their own tanks because they are both male. Notice the divider between the two tanks? When it is removed they try and fight through the tank walls.
Male betta fish
Betta fish
