The best way to keep a betta is a small filtered, heated aquarium.  A 5 or 6 gallon filtered aquarium is ideal.

1. Keep the temperature at 78-82 degrees with a small heater.
2. Keep the filter running 24 hours a day, and change ¼ of the water every 2-4 weeks.
3. Bettas are slow moving and like to hover near the surface, and a few floating plants would be appreciated.
4. Tank mates can include a couple of small catfish, a snail, and a couple of small Head& Tail Lite or Red Eye Tetras..

A small fishbowl is not the best way to keep a betta.   However because of their air breathing organ a betta is one of the few fish they may survive in an unfiltered fish bowl. If you want to keep a betta in a fishbowl please follow these guidelines:

1. Maintain at least a 2 gallon bowl. Avoid 1 gallon bowls
2. Bettas like warmth. Place the bowl in a room in which the temperature does not drop below 70 degrees.
3. Change ½ of the water weekly. Let the new water sit for about 2 hours prior to the water change so that it will come to room temperature. Add chlorine neutralizer to the new tap water.
4. The most common mistake made by bowl owners is overcrowding. A small fish bowl will only hold one fish.. (You will have to trust us one that one.)  Other fish will make the bowl too crowded, and the water quality will deteriorate. A betta is a solitary fish and it will not become lonely.
5. Feed once a day with a special betta food. Remove uneaten food with a net.

 Bettas are not recommended for community aquariums.  But some people do keep them with other fish.  Here is some advice for community tanks:

1. Keep the temperature 78-82 degrees.
2. Bettas are slow moving and like to hover at the top. Provide some floating plants for hiding.
3. Avoid aggressive tankmates that may nip the Bettas fins. These include tiger barbs, large gouramis, , black tetras .
4. Avoid slow moving tankmates that the betta may nip. These include guppies, neons, small tetras, angelfish, goldfish.
5. Possible tank mates include Dwarf Gouramis, Head&Tail Lite Tetras, Moons, Mollies, Catfish, Small Red Tail Shark.

You can breed bettas if you get a book and study their breeding habits. The male has longer fins and more color. The females always have short fins. Males are females should only be mixed with breeding conditions are set-up. (Otherwise they will fight.) Females should be conditioned separately and must be fat in belly before breeding is attempted. Bettas are bubble-nest builders. Males build a bubble nest and place them in nest after mating. Female can be removed after eggs are laid.