Is Your Aquarium's Water Hurting Your Betta?

Betta fish are one of the most sought-after fish in the world. Whether it is due to their rich appearance or active behavior, these little beauties of nature never fail to attract attention. It is said that they are easy to take care of, which can be true, but only with proper maintenance. That's especially the case when it comes to water.

Clean and healthy water is critical for bettas. Yes, betta fish have a higher tolerance for bad water quality. However, the fish’s bowl/tank still requires regular water changing and cleaning to maintain health. With proper care, your betta fish can survive for up to four years (or sometimes more).

Here's what to know.

Use Conditioned Tap Water, not Distilled Water

Tap water is an easy and popular choice for betta fish water. Water available from your tap has pH ranging from 6.5-7.5, and bettas require a neutral pH of around 7 to thrive. However, tap water must be conditioned so that chloramine and chlorine are removed. These chemical compounds are hazardous for your fish.

Distilled water may seem like an easy solution, but you should avoid using it because it does not contain any of the trace minerals needed for betta health. 

Most of the water conditioners are in liquid form. Just a few drops will make tap water safe for your betta fish.

Keep the Water Temperature at 76-80 degrees Fahrenheit         

Bettas are natives of southeast Asia that live rice paddies. As such, the ideal water temperature for them ranges from 76-80 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature you select should remain as consistent as possible. Install a heater in your betta fish tank and regularly checking the temperature with a thermometer.

Remember, sudden changes in temperature can risk your betta’s health by putting them into shock. When adding new water to the betta tank, you should ensure that the new and existing waters are the same temperatures.

Change 15-20% of the Water Every Week

Fish do all of their living in the surrounding water. This means that fish waste and food leftovers will continuously build up, producing high levels of harmful ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite. All of this can be avoided by changing 15-20% of the water on a weekly basis.

Don't change all your aquarium water at once, because it could wipe out the beneficial bacteria in the tank. Plus, sudden water changes can put a lot of stress on bettas.