Is this possible for a healthy Betta??

[lelei]

Hello, I am also glad you are making an inquiry..before doing so..that would not be a suitable place for a fishy..long term, again if it was a few minutes..but not on an everyday basis..:( (no room to move)
When we first got our fishy..we used a critter keeper, they are somewhat inexpensive..a larger model..so you can get one of those..I think the Large size is about a gallon I beleive..and you can use a heater for it..Look into one of those for your fishy..then upgrade to a 3-5 gallon tank:)

[Sivan]

I am glad you are doing your research! Although many opinions here are varied, the true absolute minimum for a betta home is 1 gallon. Starting at 1 gallon, a tank can be properly heated without harsh temperature extremes or fluctuations, can provide JUST enough room for decent exercise, and can be maintained into a workable schedule for water conditions. However, that being said, a 1 gallon is not only the minimum sized tank needed for a betta but it is also the most work for one as well.

1 gallon tanks need to be cleaned more often, with a strict schedule or else you may suffer ammonia spikes and damages. You need a very good heater that is reliable because it is easy to overheat smaller tanks and some heaters are not as easy to regulate temperature, resulting in a more expensive recommended brand being needed. They also cannot have many hiding places in them, which can stress the fish.

This is why most users here will recommend 2 gallons or more for a betta fish. The more gallons you have, the less you have to do water changes. and the more exercise it will get and have more room to hide. Heaters for 2 gallons and up are easy to come by and they can be very attractive set ups.

If you would like to get a betta and not have to do 100% water changes regularly, then I recommend getting a cycled tank. Fish tanks 5 gallons and up are the easiest to cycle and are generally the standard for beginners who are new to cycling. The cycle that is being referred to is the nitrogen cycle, which eliminates the most harmful invisible toxins from the water and converts them into a less dangerous form that can be easily removed with once a week 50% water changes. Not only do you not have to lug a heavy tank around and do a 100% change, but you can do a water change that is less stressful for your fish.

Good luck! Feel free to ask any more questions either on this forum or by sending me a PM. I am always happy to help.

[underdebate]

Just popping in with my two cents (hello!). Even if you have a designated hospital tank or something similar, I find it's always really useful to have containers on hand that I know haven't gone through the dishwasher/been soaped up and can be used in emergencies-- I have a half gallon bowl which I use to scoop water out of my tanks during water changes, and in one such emergency situation I had to put a rescue in it overnight before I could run out to the petstore the next day and get him a proper tank and heater. Sometimes they're just good to have on hand!

(And I know everyone and their mothers have already offered opinions on 1-gallon tanks, but I feel like it's worth saying-- the best size tank for a betta will sometimes depend on their personality. I have two boys, one a chronic tail-biter and one with a shoddy immune system, who I've tried in 2.5 gallon tanks and have had huge stress problems with. They both live in 1 gallon bowls and they're MUCH happier there than I've ever seen them. Conversely, I've had boys who've gone absolutely stir-crazy in hospital tanks of the same size. TL;DR, sometimes smaller tanks are the best option, even if they're a pain in the butt to clean.)