Hello im from the uk , and yes it is cold before anyone asks lol...ive been trawling the internet and youtube as I love Betta fish as they are so different. Im under the impression that they are quite hardy fish and don't need a massive tank that will take up my whole house , but just needed some advise from you guys to make sure I get everything right. Are Bettas quite easy to look after , as long as they have everything in place? Ive owned goldfish and although people say that they are easier I found keeping them clean a nightmare.

Any tips would be fab!!

Goldfish are messy fish and really need quite big tanks. Bettas are best kept in 25litre tanks or above, especially if you dont want to be doing lots of water changes every week. You could go as low as 15litres if you want to keep size down. At the end of the day they woll be better off in there if maintenance is kept up than they are in petshop tanks. Whatever the pet shop you go to says, they need a filter and a heater.

In that size tank, once it is cycled, you will only need 2 water changes a week, one with a gravel vacuum.

Bettas are great fish. Highly intellegent and each has its own personality. Feeding is no more demnding than goldfish if you are feeding pellets (avoid flakes. Best pellets are online, Amazon has NLS pellets I believe). You can suppliment with live or (defrosted) forzen foods from your local fish shop too. A day off of food once a week and your betta will be happier.

If you are buying from PetsAtHome, dont let them talk you into buying females to live with him. Not the best advice out there.

Haha, betta are much, MUCH easier to look after than a goldfish. And nowhere near as messy!

I'd recommend at least a 2.5 gallon (or about 10 liter). They *can* survive in smaller, but...you'd have to make a lot more water changes and you wouldn't be able to cycle the tank. With a 2.5gal\10liter tank though, you should be able to cycle the tank and keep the water maintenance relatively low after cycling.

Betta also need a heater - they are tropical fish and like temperatures around 78-82 degrees F (26-28 C).

They will also need different food than goldfish - as goldfish are omnivores. Betta are carnivores (insectivores) and can't digest plant matter. So - make sure you get betta pellets specifically formulated for betta instead. Omega One or New Life Spectrum pellets are high quality pellets that are generally well recommended.

Water changes depend on the size of the tank, but with a 2.5gal\10liter (again, smallest recommended) you would need roughly 2 50% water changes a week (assuming the tank was cycled).

Hope that helps! Betta are wonderful fish with interesting personalities! I hope you enjoy yours once you get one!

TANK SIZE
Yep, bettas don't need super big tanks, but 2.5 gallons is the smallest you can go. Perhaps 1 gallon might be okay in some cases, but since you're a beginner, bigger is better since they are less maintenance.

EQUIPMENT
Betta fish of course need a heater, since they're tropical. Filters are optional, sometimes they can have too much current and betta fish may struggle to swim. However if you have a 5 gallon tank or larger, it's recommended you get one, but make sure you get an very gentle filter. If your tank is smaller, i recommend you get a sponge filter.

Air pumps are not needed. Betta fish can live in waters with little oxygen, however if you want to you can get them.

WATER CHANGES
For water changes, do 25% - 50% each week for filtered tanks. For unfiltered, you may have to do more and larger percentages.

TIPS
Betta fish love plants (especially live) and caves. Adding decorations or plants will make your fish feel safe, but no plastic ones since they can rip their fins!


I also recommend having a "first aid" kit for your betta fish, in case she/he gets sick. You're probably thinking "Why buy one now?"
Well, you may not find the needed medications and may need to order online, and by then it might be too late. :(
For the first aid kit, you need . .

AQUARIUM SALT - Even though bettas are freshwater, aquarium salt can help with nearly every illness. (except for dropsy) But remember to only use if there's sickness because too many will harm your fish.

EPSOM SALT - Epsom salt helps get fluids out. It's good for bloating and constipation. (also helps a little with dropsy . . but there's a very rare chance your betta will get that.)

INDIAN ALMOND LEAVES - Indian almond leaves have lots of health benefits. They can calm down your fish, and you can use it for general health. Be warned that it releases tannin, which can make your water look brown.

Also, get a medication which treats a wide variety of diseases such as maracyn. However, you should try out the more natural methods listen above first.

Thank you so much guys...so I definitely have to have filter (some people say no on some sites) what filter would you recommend so that it doesn't upset the fish

Sponge filters are great. They're low current so they don't create too much flow.

Otherwise - you can use most any filter, but if it's too strong (as in...betta's having trouble swimming) you might have to baffle the flow down a bit.

Betta don't *technically* need a filter, but you really, *really* want one. You can't cycle the tank without one first of all, and they do help with water quality.

thank you greenapples