Preventing Betta Fish Diseases
Thursday, September 25th, 2008Pet lovers often prefer Betta fish to other animals because bettas are known to be hardy. They need little care and attention, eat just about anything given to them, or can get without food for a week or more. In fact, they make ideal choice for home or office to add that look of nature.
What many novices don’t know that there’s certain preparation to be made before purchasing a betta fish. While some experts say bettas live happily in small bowels (in which pet shops sell them), it is not the best house for them. Betta-bowls are torturous devices, and it’s insane to make fish live in them. Same with us, humans; we can live in a tiny room, but prefer more spacious apartments and houses. Space is what every living creature needs. Therefore a caring betta fish lover will buy a 3-gallon tank, but normally knowledgeable pet owners tend to buy tanks with 5 gallon capacity. Also, in a bigger space of water the temperature will not shift nearly as quickly or as much.
Keep the water level lower than the tank allows. Bettas need air to inhale and can jump out of the tank. A cover is a good and inexpensive method to protect the fish from leaving home.
Contrary to a popular opinion about live plants needed in tanks, it’s possible to get away with artificial imitations. Live plants are not neutral and may cause water contamination thus deteriorating the living conditions for the betta. Remember that sick betta fish usually lives in dirty, contaminated water.
This is always a reason why regular water change is important. With a large tank, it’s possible to limit changes to once in a month, smaller tanks will need water to be changes once every two weeks. With bowls, this frequency increases to a couple of times a week.
Water temperature is crucial to ensure betta fish is never sick. In cold water, bettas are exposed to diseases. Natural processes in fish body require water temperature to be higher than room temperature. Let’s not forget that betta splendens (also known as Siamese Fighters) come from tropical countries! All Betta keepers should have an aquatic thermometer. The temperature should not drop below the low seventies Fahrenheit. It’s best to maintain the level in upper seventies or even lower eighties, but it is even more important to keep these level protected from vacillation.
There’s no real need to use distilled water. Though paranoid experts in betta fish care defend the idea of purest water, in natural conditions splendens are not found in distilled water. In fact, tapped water is OK, but water conditioner is required. Quality water with regular changes is vital in preventing betta fish diseases.
Betta fish diet should be diverse. Sticking to one kind of food from pet shop is good for manufacturers (because they make profits), but mortal to poor bettas. Make a rule to include frozen worms, betta pellets, meaty foods occasionally. At least once a month it’s good to fasten your betta. That is, give him no food for a day or so. This is absolutely harmless and helps to regulate the digestive system, which in turn is effective in preventing betta diseases (such as constipation). It’s always better take precautionary measures rather than cure illnesses.
In a decent, stable environment betta fish diseases are rare. With a bit of experience you’ll notice what your betta likes best, take not of his behavior, and then you can maintain his healthy being for years to come. Although bettas don’t live that long, when properly cared for they can thrive for several years without any diseases.
Want to maintain healthy conditions for your betta? Following some simple steps to ensure stress-free environment, you’ll prevent most betta fish diseases with very little expense.
Kelly Wright is a betta fish lover and contributing author to several websites providing tips on betta fish care.
