| Despite the popularity of beta fish in US offices | | | | Betta owners should know that in the wild bettas |
| and households, there still many misleading | | | | are carnivores. That is, they tend to eat as much |
| misconceptions about these creatures. They are | | | | as they can catch when there's food. A Betta can |
| vibrant and it is fun to care for them, but betta | | | | live up to a month without food, and that's why |
| lovers can enjoy them only when they know how | | | | he eats up all the meal. Domesticated creatures |
| to care for a beta fish. | | | | should be fed in small portions to avoid any betta |
| And this is where myths continue to grow and | | | | fish diseases like constipation and Swim bladder |
| spread like fire. | | | | disease. |
| In this article, I aim to dispel some of the most | | | | Myth 4: Betta fish tank doesn't need any heating. |
| common myths related to betta fish care. | | | | Bettas come from Asia, where temperatures in |
| Myth #1: bettas love small containers like bowls. | | | | the wild are higher than temperature of the |
| Probably this myth comes from the fact that in | | | | outside air in the US. Bettas are tropical fish and |
| pet stores we see bettas kept in bowls, thus we | | | | need their water heated to the 79F - 85F degree |
| get the idea that this is the right home for them. | | | | range. Low water temperatures stress out the |
| Actually, this is wrong. Bowls are not preferred; | | | | betta fish, lower their immune system and lead to |
| remember that in the wild betta fish are not | | | | diseases. |
| limited in space. So a 3-gallon tank is highly | | | | Myth 5: Bettas prefer to eat plants, not meat. |
| recommended. Ideally, you should consider a | | | | Betta fish are not herbivores! They are |
| 5-gallon home for your betta if you want to | | | | carnivores, that is meat eaters. While it may |
| make them really happy. | | | | sound strange because of the size of bettas, |
| Myth #2: two male bettas will fight to death. | | | | plants are not suitable food for them. If you see |
| While bettas tend to protect there territory from | | | | a betta fish eating roots of some plant, then it's |
| invaders, much depends on the size of the | | | | because he is starving! The most preferred food |
| container. If you keep two males in a small bowl, | | | | for them would be frozen bloodworms or flakes |
| they're likely to fight. But providing they live in a | | | | from local pet store. |
| tank with enough space, they may share the | | | | Of course, there are more myths about betta |
| territory pretty peacefully. Bettas are not used to | | | | fish care you should be aware of if you want to |
| cruel fighting; like other species in the wild, they | | | | learn how to be a happy owner of these fancy |
| show their superior position by demonstration, and | | | | freshwater creatures. You're welcome to my blog |
| not fight. | | | | for more useful tips on how to care for betta |
| Myth #3: you should feed betta fish as much as | | | | fish. |
| he can eat. | | | | |