new member-new owner of a Betta fish-please help

[styx]

Hi, I'm a new owner of a Betta fish and I have some questions...
I just bought the fish and the bowl and since the bowl's a bit small i was wondering if I should keep the fish (i haven't named him (i think him) yet) in that size bowl..it's close to this (this is not actually my fish, just a representation of the bowl size) ....
I am in a dorm so i can't have anything too big
Also, i'm not sure what the best method of cleaning the water would be-if keeping the fish in the bowl is the best option or if moving him to another container while changing the water would be better...is twice a week changing 50% of the water okay?
Should I add plants to the bowl....how much sunlight should the fish get and i have the pellets for his food.. is 2 to 3 a day enough?
- sorry for the long post-Thank you so much

[dramaqueen]

A 2 1/2 gallon or larger sized tank with a heater and filter is what is reccommended. Water in a gallon or half gallon bowl will need to be changed 1 to 2 times a week.You can put him in another container while you change the water, then put him back in. The water needs to be dechlorinated. He shouldn't be kept in direct sunlight. There wouldn't be much room for plants in a small bowl. As far as food is concerned, 2-3 pellets twice a day will be fine. You can also give him freeze-dried or frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp once or twice a week as a treat. I hope this info helps.

[styx]

thanks so much, that helps :)

[onefish2fish]

bettas for breakfast


get him a 2gal tank or even better a 5. check on craigslist.com for one used in your area, or petco usually has them for like $15 or so.
a small heater, filter, and thermomter as well and then a plant or to but try to avoid plastic ones as they can rip his fins. silk is your best bet.
do not remove the fish to change the water. change 10-25% once a week. google.com how to cycle a fish tank.

sunlight will only cause unwanted algae and raise the tank temp. uncontrollably.

a larger tank will allow him to fully stretch out his fins.

[iamntbatman]

Most of the cost of keeping a fish happy and healthy is the up-front cost of getting them a proper tank. You could get your betta a 5.5g tank, glass canopy, heater, filter, substrate and decorations for under $50. Craigslist has some great deals, but I've found that usually people try to sell smaller tanks at prices that aren't much better than what you'd pay for them new.

Bettas can survive in tiny fish bowls given that you are religious about maintaining it (plus buying medication every time your fish gets sick, because he *will* get sick with the temperature swings that are inevitable in a tiny bowl like that). However, they will never thrive in an environment like that, will lead a short, miserable life and you will miss out on getting to experience a really great pet.

[1077]

IMHO two to three pellets once a day rather than twice would be more beneficial to the bettas health IF kept in anything less than five gal.

[styx]

thanks so much! I'm looking for a bigger bowl now.

[dramaqueen]

If you have to keep him in a bowl, don't get one any smaller than a gallon.Make sure you keep up with water changes.