I bought a Betta Fish - Any good tips for keeping them happy?

[NJchick]

I was in Petsmart yesterday buying my cats some new toys and I stumbled into the fish section and saw about 3 dozen Bettas in separate cups with barely enough water to do anything but move their fins back and forth.

I deceided to rescue one from his miserable life on the shelf and bring him home.

Any good fish care tips to keep him happy and healthy are greatly appreciated.

Here's a pic of Ghengis Kahn.

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Yeah, goodbye miserable life on a shelf!

[Warik]

You're keeping him in a 1 gallon bowl, which is far superior to those little cups people probably leave him in. Good. Since the bowl is most likely not filtered, I'd recommend changing the water once a week.

If you can afford/wouldn't mind getting something a little bigger, a 5 gallon or 10 gallon tank and some small, non-aggressive tankmates (who DON'T have long colorful fins, as the betta will mistake them for other male bettas and will challenge them to mortal kombat), that would rule.

[Lazy Meatball]

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I deceided to rescue one from his miserable life on the shelf and bring him home.

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And by doing so have given a profit incentive for the petstore to breed dozens more fish to lead a miserable life on a shelf.

[mmbt0ne]

Change water once a week. Don't overfeed. Get a cool fish stand to keep him company.

[Freakin]

I thought these fish really like small tanks because they're territorial and will continually swim around in a large tank.

[guids]

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I thought these fish really like small tanks because they're territorial and will continually swim around in a large tank.

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dude, they are fish.

[T.J. Combo]

Bettas are very easy to keep alive. They don't shock to death easily like other fish, as far as I can tell, they could care less if their tank is cycled (We've had about 4 who have lived for 1+ years).

Change their water once a week or so, keep them fed. That's about it. They don't need a big tank, but they seem to grow bigger and act happier in a slightly larger tank (1-3 gallons) than one of the "Betta Bowls" you can get at Petsmart or Wal-Mart.

They are very durable and can live under somewhat extreme temperatures, so you don't have to worry if their light blows while you left the AC running all night. . . unlike some puffer fish (R.I.P. Sean Combs June 12-June 30)

[RiverFenix]

Put a mirror next to the bowl for some quick entertainment.

[Lonhro]

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I thought these fish really like small tanks because they're territorial and will continually swim around in a large tank.

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dude, they are fish.

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Smaller the tank the better. Seriously. This fish would have a much more enjoyable life in a coffee mug than in the tank in the photo. Only problem with them is they can jump, so whether or not you downgrade to a smaller tank or keep it in that one, be weary of that. They do get out.

Put a mirror next to the tank if you're bored one day and need cheap enjoyment.