Betta Health
How to Have Happy Healthy Betta Fish
One of the most important things about betta health you should always keep in mind is to always keep a clean and properly maintained tank. The average life span of a betta fish is about two to three years, however with the correct environment a betta can live as long as 6 years. Here are some of the most common health problems that can affect your betta fish.
Betta Fish Stress
Stress is a common problem with many different types of pet fish, and the betta is no different. The symptoms are usually common and can be diagnosed rather easily. Some of the most frequent symptoms are open sores (usually white or red in color) spotted skin and noticeable difficulty in breathing. They may also remain still or lie on the bottom of the tank for extended periods of time.
Usually water quality or other enviornmental conditions such as ammonia poisoning or recent changes to their habitat such as a new tank element can be the cause of their stress. Transfering them to a temporary container when you clean their tanks may also be a contributing factor.
Improper Tank Size
Usually betta fish come in a small plastic cup when you purchase them from the pet store. In the wild they live in rice paddies and ponds that are typically shallow still water, with lots of swimming room. A one gallon tank is the minimum size you should have for them to live in. Any smaller can cause stress or create poor water quaility which can lead to diseases and other health problems.
No Access To the Surface Air
One of the most unique things about a betta fish is an organ called the “labyrinth“ which allows them to breath air from the atmosphere. Due to this organ betta fish rely on and need access to surface air to remain healthy, because of this it is important to have a large surface area with good ventilation to ensure your betta`s optimum health.
Incorrect Water Temperature
Betta fish should be provided a clean environment with water temperature between 70 and 80 degress, which mimics the conditions found in the wild. An electric tank heater that maintains a constant temerature is highly recommended as water that is too cold can result in poor health or loss of color.
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