BeginnerSemi-aggressive

Betta Fish

Betta splendens

Family: Osphronemidae

🌿By Mr. Wang|Reviewed May 2026

Bettas are the gateway drug to fishkeeping—gorgeous, full of personality, and they actually recognize you. Every Betta I've owned would flare and follow my finger. They're not "easy" fish though—the myth that they can live in a bowl has killed millions.

5G+

Min Tank Size

Max Size

Years Lifespan

76-82

°F Temp Range

Water Parameters

Temperature

60°F76 - 82°F100°F

pH Level

5.06.5 - 7.510.0

Hardness (dGH)

03 - 12 dGH30

Care Tips

NEVER put two males together. NEVER. Also skip the tiny bowls—5 gallons minimum with a heater and gentle filter. My Bettas live in heavily planted Walstad tanks where they lounge on leaves near the surface.

Feeding

Carnivores that need protein. Betta pellets daily, bloodworms 2-3x weekly as treats. They're prone to constipation—skip feeding one day per week. Mine loves to spit out pellets and re-catch them like a game.

Breeding

Males build bubble nests and do all the parenting. Beautiful to watch but be ready for 200+ fry. I bred once and spent months rehoming babies. Not recommended unless you have a plan.

📚 Sources: Care parameters based on SeriouslyFish, FishBase, and Aquarium Co-Op. Personal observations from the author's 5+ years of fishkeeping experience.