8 Popular Betta Fish Myths And Misconceptions Debunked

The 8 Common Betta Fish Myths and Misconceptions

1. Betta Fish Don’t Need Heaters or Filters

Being with any fish, bettas need a filter, and as tropical fish, they also need a heater. Adding a heater and filtration system to your betta’s new tank should be your first priority.

In some instances, you may need to install an aeration device to provide sufficient surface agitation on the water’s surface for optimal gaseous exchange and oxygenation of your betta’s water.

The idea that bettas do not require a heater or filter stems from the days when they were housed in bowls too tiny to accommodate these accessories. Since bettas are tropical fish, an adjustable heater is required to maintain a steady temperature range of 68 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The heater keeps their water at an optimal temperature and protects your betta from feeling chilly when the ambient temperature drops.

Bettas require filtration systems to allow space for healthy bacteria to flourish, as well as surface circulation to prevent stagnant, unclean water. You must ensure that the filter output is not so strong that it hinders the swimming ability of your betta fish.

2. Betta Fish Can Be Housed Together

Male betta fishes are strictly territorial and solitary; if housed together, they would fight to the point of severe damage or death. There is a low to nonexistent chance of long-term success when keeping two male betta fish together.

Typically, the fighting begins after they reach sexual maturity. These fish are inherently aggressive and highly territorial, thus it is not a good idea to put many bettas in the same tank for their health.

Even if your bettas are not fighting, they have been known to exhibit indications of stress when housed together, and stress can be lethal for such a little fish. Female betta fish have been known to live along in big groups with a thickly planted tank larger than 10 gallons, however even female betta fish can be aggressive and start to fight with other females, therefore female betta sororities are best left to skilled betta keepers or should be avoided altogether.

3. Betta Fish Do Not Need Much Oxygen

Many people believe that since betta fish have a labyrinth organ that allows them to breathe air from the surface, they do not require aeration for oxygen in their tank.

Betta fish require dissolved oxygen in the aquarium via surface movement. Since warm water contains less dissolved oxygen than cold water, aeration must be given to the betta’s tank.

This can come from a filter, air bubbler, stone, or even specific oxygen-producing aquarium plants. This provides your betta fish with a habitat similar to that which they would occupy in the natural, allowing them to breathe both underwater and at the surface as necessary.

Betta fish will begin to inhale more air from the surface when dissolved oxygen begins to deplete. This behavior is shown by bettas in the wild when their environment becomes unsuitable to dwell in, typically as a result of rice fields drying up during dry seasons and leaving them with stagnant water with inadequate aeration.

4. Betta Fish Only Evolved from Small Puddles

Many people believe that since betta fish have a labyrinth organ that allows them to breathe air from the surface, they do not require aeration for oxygen in their tank. Betta fish require dissolved oxygen in the aquarium via surface movement. Since warm water contains less dissolved oxygen than cold water, aeration must be given to the betta’s tank.

This can come from a filter, air bubbler, stone, or even specific oxygen-producing aquarium plants. This provides your betta fish with a habitat similar to that which they would occupy in the natural, allowing them to breathe both underwater and at the surface as necessary.

Betta fish will begin to inhale more air from the surface when dissolved oxygen begins to deplete. This behavior is shown by bettas in the wild when their environment becomes unsuitable to dwell in, typically as a result of rice fields drying up during dry seasons and leaving them with stagnant water with inadequate aeration.

5. Bettas Cannot Live with Other Fish

Many people believe that since betta fish have a labyrinth organ that allows them to breathe air from the surface, they do not require aeration for oxygen in their tank. Betta fish require dissolved oxygen in the aquarium via surface movement. Since warm water contains less dissolved oxygen than cold water, aeration must be given to the betta’s tank.

This can come from a filter, air bubbler, stone, or even specific oxygen-producing aquarium plants. This provides your betta fish with a habitat similar to that which they would occupy in the natural, allowing them to breathe both underwater and at the surface as necessary.

Betta fish will begin to inhale more air from the surface when dissolved oxygen begins to deplete. This behavior is shown by bettas in the wild when their environment becomes unsuitable to dwell in, typically as a result of rice fields drying up during dry seasons and leaving them with stagnant water with inadequate aeration.

6. Betta Fish Do Better in Bowls and Small Tanks

It is still extremely usual to keep betta fish in bowls, vases, or other tiny aquariums, however this is not the optimal environment for betta fish. This is because most bowls and vases are far too tiny to properly hold a betta fish, and they can seldom accommodate a filter and heater.

Most bowls and vases are less than the required 5 gallons for bettas, meaning they will not provide a suitable habitat for your betta fish. Betta fish require more than a bowl, says Dr. Krista Keller, a board-certified specialist in zoological medicine.

By giving your betta fish with a larger tank, they have more space to roam, may engage in their normal habits, and their waste is less likely to accumulate. Several variables may account for the fact that your betta fish seems to thrive in a smaller body of water. Betta fish may be rather timid, so if they are kept in a bigger tank, they will require plants for cover.

Additionally, heavy-finned bettas require a low-flow filter that does not make swimming difficult, as well as plant leaves to rest on when they become fatigued. Poor water quality from a tank that has not been cycled might also lead your betta to behave erratically when transferred to a new or larger aquarium.

7. Betta Fish Do Not Have Feelings

Because they have a central neural system, we know that Betta fish are conscious animals capable of sensation. This indicates that bettas can experience feelings such as fear, tension, pleasure, and happiness, but to a lesser level than humans and other animals. Betta fish may also experience discomfort and even unhappiness if kept in a poor habitat.

The misconception that bettas do not have feelings and can be kept in small bowls without proper enrichment or essential items has led to the mistreatment of betta fish in the aquarium hobby, but thanks to recent research and the expertise of experts studying the cognitive abilities of fish, we now know that this is not true.

8. Betta Fish Don’t Live Long

There is a fallacy that betta fish only survive for a few weeks or, if they’re lucky, a month, but their actual lifespan spans from 3 to 5 years, with some even lasting longer.

The longevity of a betta fish is determined by genetics, care, and environmental factors. Placing a betta fish in an uncycled tank or bowl with inadequate enrichment and poor water quality will result in a short lifespan.

Prior to reaching maturity, the majority of bettas kept in substandard settings would die from water quality concerns or infections. With proper maintenance, betta fish may survive for many years.

Conclusion

Betta fish make excellent pets, and by understanding their needs, you can ensure that your betta has a long, healthy life at your side. With so many fin kinds, colors, and forms, there are countless betta fish to choose from for your aquarium.

We hope that “8 Popular Betta Fish Myths and Misconceptions Debunked” by BestForPets (bestforpets.org) has helped dispel some popular betta fish myths and misconceptions, and that betta fish are more clever and sentient than previously assumed.