Betta Fish as Pets

Around a month ago, I wanted to buy my own Betta fish but I could not find any site that provide simple steps on caring the fish. All I can find are those professional fish owners which the maintenance are quite high. Thus, I create this post for you who need simple Betta fish care. Betta Fish which is commonly known as fighting fish.


Choosing a Betta Fish

1. Find Betta fish from any fish dealers/shops. Choose any fish of your preferable colour and tail types. You can observe the fish through its colour and activeness.

2. Healthy fish will have radiant colour and actively swimming or maybe kinda of attack when it saw another Betta fish. Do not buy fish which has white weird dots on the body as it may be a kind of fish disease.

3. A normal Betta will cost you around RM4 to RM12 per fish.

Reminder: Do not expect to find any special types of Betta fish in most fish shops.

Betta Fish Tanks / Containers

4. Since you are not opting for aquariums like professional fish, you can just ask for simple Betta tanks in any fish shops. The tanks will cost you around RM4 to RM10 depending on the size. Some will save up by using used glass bottles.

5. You can decorate your tanks with small rocks and soft plants. (Although empty tanks are easily to clean)

6. Betta fish can get along with simply purified/filtered water. Tap water is okay but it is afraid that the water might contain some unwanted bacteria.

Reminder: My tank can be split into two sides for two Betta fish but I prefer my Betta to have more space to swim around.


Cleaning the tank/container

7. Scoop out your Betta into a small cup with the same or new water.

8. Clean your tank/container with plain tap water together with any rocks or plants in it.
* Do not ever use soap to clean those because it can bring harm to your Betta fish.

9. Use the water as stated above and fill up the tank until it reach around 1 inch and make sure the tank/container have a cover (make sure got oxygen flow) because some Betta fish love to jump out from the tank.
*If your Betta fish really jumped out of the tank, just gently pick it put and place back into the tank.

10. Change the water from 3 days to 7 days time or anytime you think that the water is dirty already. Use back some of old because your Betta will prefer its own bacteria some time.

Betta food

11. Feed your Betta around 4-5 times a day with small amounts each time.

12. Betta food can be easily bought in fish shops. Betta fish food are smaller in size compared to other fish food.

Note: Your Betta fish might not be active for the first week when you've settle him down. Let him take his time to get used to your surroundings. After constant feeding and tank cleaning, you will have a happy Betta fish.

My Betta fish, Dory

I bought my Betta in less than a month. It cost me exactly RM10 for my Betta, 2 packs of Betta food, Betta tank and a big pack of small rocks. I really can say it is really cheap for my beautiful Dory. Dory really worried me at the beginning because it just stay at a corner all the while but it is now used to my presence and surroundings. Dory is happy and loves its new home. Let's see my close-up Dory, beautiful isn't it?