Last updated on June 28th, 2022 at 06:35 am
Blue betta fish are beautiful and exotic, as well as resilient and easy to care for, making them popular choices among aquarists. You have just bought your first blue betta fish, and you’re super excited to keep it in the cleanest possible tank water and to feed it the best possible food, but you’re not sure where to start.
If you’re thinking about getting one of these interesting little fish, these blue betta fish care tips will help you along the way.
Betta fish are small Asian species of freshwater tropical fish belonging to the family Osphronemidae of the order Perciformes.
A brightly colored fish with its own unique personality, the blue betta fish comes in an array of different shades, shapes, and sizes. But even though it’s one of the most popular aquarium species, it’s not without its challenges when it comes to care and maintenance.
So before you rush out to your local pet store to buy one, this guide will give you everything you need to know about setting up your tank, maintaining its cleanliness, and feeding your new pet correctly so you can enjoy having this beautiful creature in your home.
Blue betta fish overview
Blue betta fish is a common aquarium fish. They come in shades of blue and they can reach up to 3 inches and live for about 5 years. Though they are not considered one of the more aggressive types of aquarium fish, they still need an appropriate tank set up to thrive.
They prefer cool water temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. They should be kept in tanks with other blue betta fish or other nonaggressive species such as tetras or danios.
Blue betta fish do best when kept with at least 5 gallons of water per inch of their length (about 10 gallons per blue betta). Tanks should be covered because they jump out if given the chance. They are also carnivores that eat small insects and worms.
They enjoy eating bloodworms, brine shrimp, blackworms, mosquito larvae, and insect larvae pellets. Blue betta fish should be fed once every day or every other day depending on how much they eat during feeding time. If you notice your blue betta fish is losing coloration due to stress or disease, it may be caused by inadequate water quality.
Species profile
The blue betta fish belong to the family of Osphronemidae. This species is native to Southeast Asia and parts of Australia. They are known for their vibrant blue color, which is caused by a genetic mutation that blocks melanin production. They are very popular among aquarium owners because they are easy to care for and can live in a wide range of water conditions. However, they require special considerations when it comes to housing and feeding.
Habitat
The species lives in Southeast Asian rice paddies and wetlands. To replicate their natural habitat, since they live in warm, freshwater lakes and rivers in Asia, place it in a 5-gallon tank that is at least 30 inches long and 15 inches deep. It’s also important to cover your betta tank with a lid to keep out unwanted pests and debris. You can buy a pre-made tank or make one yourself using glass or acrylic sheets. Just be sure to use silicone sealant on all of your seams so no water can leak out.
Blue betta fish size
The blue betta fish can grow up to 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) in length.
Tank size
Due to their small size, the minimum recommended tank size is 5-10 gallons (19-38 liters).
Tank requirements
It’s best to keep betta fish in either a tank or a fishbowl with at least 5 gallons of water. Because they’re tropical fish, they need consistent temperatures between 72°F and 82°F; they cannot survive in colder waters. A heater is vital if you live somewhere that gets cold during winter. While fish bowls are cute, bettas don’t fare well in small spaces and can get anxious from being stuck in such a small area.
Tanks also allow for more room for your fish to swim around, which will make them happier. Bettas are extremely active fish and require space to exercise their fins. Keep an eye on your fish! He might be trying to tell you he needs more space by swimming erratically or bumping into things in his tank. If so, consider upgrading his living quarters!
Tank mates
The most popular companion fish for blue bettas are snails, ghost shrimp, and apple snails. Other options include nerite snails, ramshorn snails, and otocinclus catfish. Some owners have had success with other species of betta fish as well, but there’s not a lot of research done on cross-species tank mates.
We recommend keeping small, docile schooling fish such as Zebra Danios and Tetras in your aquarium if you want to add other species to it. Just ensure you provide enough cover.
Even for purely financial reasons, you should never put aggressive fish like Tiger Barbs in a tank with blue bettas, because they are more expensive to replace if they are hurt. It is best to have only one male in each tank.
Breeding
During courtship, the blue betta fish male uses its flaring behavior to attract females to them. The male will create bubble nests at the surface of the water when the female is ready to spawn. The use of floating plants also plays a part in that.
The blue betta fish male takes the eggs up to a bubble nest for protection after releasing them from females. It will even fetch those that do not survive. Young Bettas, or fry, are taken care of by both sexes. But that only lasts for a short time. The fries are ultimately eaten by the blue betta fish male, just like many other species, a barrier should be put up to protect the fish or the fish should be removed.
It may take up to 2 weeks before young bettas become free swimming and ready for feeding. Young bettas should be fed baby brine shrimp until they become free-swimming.
Are they aggressive or peaceful?
The Blue Betta Fish is a more docile species, unless it has been selectively bred to be a fighter. As long as there is enough space and cover, some people have successfully kept them as pairs. Compared with the Bettas found in pet stores, that is a stark contrast.
Flaring behavior is also displayed by the blue betta fish. It does so to appear larger in order to protect its territory against rival males. When courting, it will also behave similarly, although it won’t lock its mouth or exhibit other aggressive behaviors.
Blue betta fish care
Blue bettas are small fish (typically about two inches long) and do not require much space or many supplies. All they need is an aquarium with enough room for them to swim around, as well as a heater if you live in a cold climate. If you plan to add any decorations to your tank, remember that these small fish will most likely try to eat anything they can fit in their mouths!
What they eat
To keep your blue betta happy and healthy, it’s important to feed him at least once a day. The best food for blue bettas is freeze-dried bloodworms; however, fresh food such as daphnia, brine shrimp, or mosquito larvae also make good treats.
Water conditions
While blue bettas aren’t too picky when it comes to water temperature, they prefer temperatures between 72 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If you notice your fish gasping for air at the surface of his tank, try increasing his water temperature by one degree per hour until he seems comfortable again.
Once you have everything set up, be sure to perform regular maintenance on your tank: clean out uneaten food from your filter every few days, change 10% of your water weekly (more often if necessary), and check ammonia levels regularly. It’s also helpful to test nitrate levels occasionally—this helps ensure that harmful bacteria aren’t growing in your tank.
Lifespan
They can live for 2-3 years in captivity with good care and proper water chemistry.
Parasites and diseases
It’s common for betta fish to be infected with parasites and diseases, even when living in pristine water conditions. When you first bring your fish home, you may notice some unusual behavior or discoloration on its scales. This is a normal process known as stargazing that helps bettas protect themselves from bacteria, but it can also be an indicator of illness.
Ich, or white spot disease, is a common bacterial infection that can cause your fish to develop small white spots on its body. Ich infections are easy to spot and treat, but they’re also very contagious and can quickly spread through your tank. Make sure you quarantine any new fish before adding them to your main tank so you don’t spread ich to other fish.
If you suspect your fish has an infection, take a close look at it before making any changes to its habitat. If your fish seems healthy, don’t worry too much about these symptoms—you might not see them again. However, if they persist after several weeks, consider adding medication to help clear up infections. (Note: Bettas are very sensitive to many antibiotics.)
Predators
If you’re keeping betta fish in a home aquarium, one of your biggest worries is probably what types of predators might try to eat them. Keep in mind that most types of predators aren’t going to be able to break through glass, but it’s still important to take precautions.
Bigger fish, like tunas or lionfish, are among the biggest risk factors when it comes to betta consumption—the larger they are, and the faster they swim, generally speaking, means the bigger risk for your little fishy friend. That said, even smaller fish can pose problems if they have sharp teeth or spines.
Do blue betta fish make good pets?
Yes. Bettas are an exotic tropical fish that is commonly kept as a pet. Male bettas are generally territorial and will fight with each other or defend their territory, while females generally get along with others. In addition to being finicky eaters, blue betta fish require a certain amount of maintenance to keep them healthy and living in optimal conditions. Because of these factors, not all pet owners are suited for owning the blue betta fish.
