Betta
Betta splendens · family Osphronemidae
Also: Siamese Fighting Fish
Parameters
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Hardness
- 5–19 °dGH
- Tank volume
- from 20 L
- Maximum size
- up to 6.5 cm
- Group size
- min 1, ideal 1
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Swimming zone
- Top
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Lifespan
- 3–5 years
Health & Common Diseases
Key risks, vulnerability factors, and veterinarian-reviewed treatment guides.
Ich (White Spot Disease)
Prone during stress, cold drafts, or transport. Treat the entire tank at the first sign of white spots.
Fin Rot
Bacterial ray melting or stress-induced fin biting. Treated with pristine warm water (26–28 °C), catappa leaves, and short salt baths for severe cases.
Dropsy (Pinecone Disease)
Bacterial fluid buildup often triggered by metabolic stress, sudden ammonia spikes, or low temperatures.
Description
The betta is a labyrinth fish that breathes atmospheric air. Males are territorial and won't tolerate each other. Keep solo, or in a harem (one male with several females) in tanks of 60 L or more.
There are dozens of strains and color forms — Crowntail, Halfmoon, Veiltail, Plakat and more. Most are bred in captivity; wild forms look more modest.
Care
Tank
At least 20 L per male (30+ L recommended). A lid is mandatory (bettas jump), plus a gentle filter without strong flow and floating plants for shade and surface resting spots.
Common mistakes
Keeping them in round bowls under 5 L is unacceptable. Despite the labyrinth organ, a betta needs stable water parameters, real volume, and filtration.
Feeding
Carnivorous: betta-specific pellets + frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia. Plain dry flakes are digested poorly. Feed once or twice a day, with one fasting day per week.
Compatibility
- Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Depends on the individual male's temperament. Works in spacious tanks with hiding spots.
Caution - Bronze Corydoras
Corydoras aeneus
Corydoras take the bottom and don't compete with the betta for the surface.
Good - Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
The guppies' bright tails trigger the male betta's attacks. Female guppies are safer, but the risk remains.
Avoid - Caution
- Freshwater Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
Competition for the upper zone and aggression risk in both directions.
Avoid
FAQ
- Can two male bettas be kept together?
- No. Males fight to the death. Transparent dividers don't work either — they cause constant visual stress.
- How long do bettas live?
- 3–5 years in good conditions. In vases and unheated bowls — usually under a year.
Goldie editorial team
Practising aquarists with a combined 30+ years of experience · Biologists and editors, fact-checking against FishBase and Seriously Fish · Every piece is reviewed by a qualified ichthyologist before publication
Scientific board — ichthyologists and veterinarians
Ichthyologists and veterinarians with university degrees · Reference FishBase, Seriously Fish and peer-reviewed literature · Sign every reviewed article with their credentials shown
Sources
- FishBase: Betta splendens · FishBase · 2026-05-22
- Seriously Fish: Betta splendens · Seriously Fish · 2026-05-22