What is a Betta?  Bettas are beautiful and very popular aquarium fish. They are available in red, blue and assorted colors. They are also called Siamese Fighting Fish.   They are slow moving and like to hover near the water surface.    Bettas have a special air-breathing organ (labyrinth) that in nature, allows them to live in water with low oxygen content.  For this reason they are sometimes kept in bowls.  The bowl should be a minimum of 1.5 gallons.  Bettas like warmth, so be sure to put them in a warm area of your home.  
Bettas at Elmer's:  We receive weekly shipments of Bettas from our Florida fish farms.  Bettas sold at Elmer’s are normally 2 months old.

Aquatic Plant:  The plant used in these bowls is called a Peace Lily, or  Brazilian Sword Plant.  Elmer's receives weekly shipments of these plants from our Florida fish farms.  As the plant grows the roots grow down into the bowl.  The roots provide some beneficial biological filtration to the bowl.  (Bettas do not eat the roots- contrary to the directions some sets provide.)  

Sunlight:  Some indirect light will be beneficial for the aquatic plant.  Avoid direct sunlight.  Direct sunlight  will cause unwanted algae growth.   

Water:  You can use tap water.  Just add some chlorine neutralizer (NovAqua) to it.  Bottled water is all right, but do not use distilled water.    Let the water come to room temperature.
Water Changes:  Change about 1/2 of the water once every week, smaller bowls may need it more often.

Food:   Use a specialty Betta Food.  We recommend HBH Betta Pellets, or Hikari Betta Pellets.  Feed about once a day.  Try just a few pellets at a time.  Be sure to observe carefully and remove any uneaten food from the bowl with a fish net.  Extra food will decay and foul the water. 

Bottom Covering:  You can add a small amount of gravel to the bottom of the bowl.  We sell a large selection of gravel that is the proper size.  Avoid any large size bottom covering such as large pebbles, glass gems, or marbles.  Large pebbles can be a problem because food pellets will fall through to the bottom of the bowl, and decay.


Longevity: Bettas normal life span is 2 years.            Can you add other fish?   No.  Vase bowls should be limited to one Betta.

Are there better ways to keep a Betta?   Yes.  As an aquarium specialty store,  we can show you sets that will provide a better aquatic environment for a betta.   Our 3,5, and 6 gallon Eclipse sets include a fluorescent light and filter for easy maintenance and healthy water conditions.  You can also add plants, snails and small catfish.  For a larger tank with a community of colorful tropical fish we suggest our Master Kit Aquarium Sets.  Our Master Kits make aquarium ownership easy by providing all the right equipment.

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Elmer’s Aquarium Pet Center     4005 Wm Penn Hwy. Monroeville, Pa. 15146 (412) 372-6535
Daily 10-9:30 Sunday 12:00- 5:00   Aquarium Specialists Since 1969