Betta

A resting place is part of the swimming space

A long-finned betta should be able to cross the tank, reach air and pause without being pushed around by the filter. Arrange broad leaves or smooth resting surfaces near the top, keep an unobstructed route to the surface, and use a lid with an air space beneath it. Air breathing does not remove the need for clean, oxygenated water. RSPCA's betta guidance connects these resting sites, gentle flow and surface access to the fish's needs.

Check decorations by touch before installation: long fins can snag on rough edges. Plant cover should give the fish a retreat without filling every swimming route. Watch the actual fish after adjusting the outlet; constant effort to hold position means the layout or flow still needs attention. Do not use a mirror as permanent decoration.

Choose a footprint, not a bowl label

For a new setup, Tankwise recommends 40 L or more with at least a 45 x 30 cm base for one fish. The footprint comes from Seriously Fish's species profile; the volume is our planning margin for planting, filtration and maintenance. RSPCA instead describes 20 L or more as ideal. These are husbandry recommendations, not experimental thresholds at which a fish suddenly becomes safe or unsafe. A tall narrow vessel does not provide the same usable layout as a wider tank of equal volume.

Use a mature biological filter and a controlled heater checked with a separate thermometer. The 24-26 C and pH 6.5-7.5 planning values follow RSPCA, rather than treating the wider SF reference range as a target to cycle through. Ask about the water in which the fish was kept before changing your setup. For a settled tank, RSPCA suggests weekly partial changes of 10-25%; use tests and waste accumulation to judge whether that starting routine is sufficient, and condition replacement water according to its product label.

Solitary does not mean neglected

A betta does not need another betta as company. Two males must not share a tank, and keeping a male with a female is a specialist breeding arrangement, not a community solution. Female groups also bring aggression risks; they are not the default recommended here. The species profile recommends keeping ornamental fish alone in most cases.

If an experienced keeper attempts a mixed aquarium, matching temperature and water chemistry is only the first check. Long fins invite nipping, colourful trailing fins can invite attacks, and a betta may eat small shrimp. A larger shared tank and a ready, suitable separate aquarium are essential contingencies, not guarantees. End the combination if either fish is being chased away from food or shelter; do not wait for torn fins to prove incompatibility.

Feed the fish you can see

Offer a suitable betta pellet or granule, with small frozen invertebrates for variety. RSPCA recommends specialised food and warns about overfeeding. Pellet sizes vary, so a universal count is misleading. Add a small portion, watch it being swallowed, and remove leftovers. Keep any companions from intercepting the entire portion. A routine fasting day is not a substitute for matching food to appetite and body condition.