Dorm pets: Betta fish

Let's say you didn’t get the best roommate this semester, what about a pet fish?

They’re small, cute, and essentially one of the easiest animals to take care of. Betta fish specifically are not only beautiful but one of the best dorm fish you can have. This is how to meet their requirements, set up their tank, and how to take care of them. 

Set up and needs: 

-Five Gallon minimum tank with lid 

-Water 

-Betta water conditioner 

-Heater (between 76-81 degrees fahrenheit)

-Filter 

-Water testing kit 

-Substrate

-Decorations (optional) 

-Freeze-dried bloodworms/brine shrimp (found at any pet store) 

-New fish friend! 

NOTE: Never place two male betta fish together, they will fight! For our tank size here we should not have many other things besides our fish and some decorations. 

Before even getting your betta, you will want to set up all of your tank essentials first. Find a good spot for your tank that will get natural, indirect lighting for your fish to be on a consistent sleep cycle and so their tank does not have an overgrowth of algae. 

First, add in your heater and filter, then wash your decorations and substrate, with filtered water first and place them in your tank to your liking. Then you can slowly add in your clean water and leave about an inch of room on top. 

From here the water should cycle (run through the filter) for 4-6 weeks. From there you can test the water to see what chemicals may need an increase or decrease according to your water testing kit. When all the chemicals are in the proper range you can begin to acclimate your fish! 

Take your fish, (still in the container) and gently set them in the water.

You want the temperature of the water your fish is in and the temperature of your tank water to be the same. After an hour or so you can start to add the tank water into the container little by little. After a few hours, you should be able to easily open the container fully and easily slide the fish into their tank. Aquarium info has a great article on tank cycling and acclimation. 

Bettafishcare.org gives a very detailed explanation of the proper chemical ratios your fish should have, cleaning, feeding, and everything you may need to know about keeping a happy and healthy betta. 

NOTE: Betta fish should not be an impulse buy! These fish are 2-4 year commitments and should be taken seriously.