If you are looking to make a beginning with an aquarium, Betta Fish is perhaps the starting point to begin with. But, wait. Even when they appear to be the easiest means to commence your new aquarium, betta fish are not really the ones you would find that easy to care for.
One of the most common ways that we tend to keep a betta fish is to raise them in a bowl. That is something that goes in tune with the way we keep a goldfish in a bowl. But, can Betta live in a bowl? Let us try finding out if you can keep a betta in a bowl and if can Betta live comfortably when kept so.
Betta should typically not be kept in a bowl. They should ideally be kept in a five gallon tank – either plastic or glass. The water in the bowl can get soiled faster and can even cause issues with the gills of your Betta fish.
Can Betta Fish Live in a Bowl?
Several theories may make it a little difficult to understand if the betta fish can be comfortable to live in a bowl. In fact, most of the newbie aquarists tend to keep the Betta fish in a gallon fish bowl. That can be a concern and this is where Betta fish may not be able to live longer. Betta fish may not live in bowls for more than 100 days.
Your Betta fish will need a bowl of at least 20-gallon capacity along with a filter. However, installing the filter in a spherical bowl may not be that easy or feasible.
That apart, a Betta fish also needs a heater to survive. Once again, installing a heater in a water bowl may not be easy.
A small tank or a bowl will not be able to provide your Betta fish with the proper level of space and filtration to survive. The bowls typically do not have lids and that would make it difficult to regulate the temperature effectively.
Why can’t Betta fish live in a Bowl?
Well, there are a wide range of reasons why it may not be a good idea to keep a Betta fish in a bowl. Let us explore a few salient reasons why you should not keep Betta in a bowl.
Betta fish produces a lot of waste
The bioload of a betta fish can be quite a lot and can at times too much for a bowl or a small tank. You would need a tank of at least 2.5 gallons. Maintaining a healthy atmosphere for a betta may not be possible in a bowl, or even in a small tank below the size of 2.5 gallons.
If you want to use a bowl or a small tank for Betta fish temporarily, make sure to change water as frequently as you can. But frequent water changes can stress out your Betta fish.
The bowl may not give enough room
The Betta fish can grow to up to 3 inches and also have huge fins. A bowl or a small tank may not give it enough room. They may not get enough place to swim except for a circle. This may limit the exercises that your betta fish typically needs.
Filters and heaters do not fit in a bowl
Betta fish needs a heater and filters invariably. Installing the filters and heaters in a fish bowl may not be easy or feasible. Even small tanks below 2.5 gallons may not have enough space to fit them. Finding a filter or heater for tanks below the size of 5 gallons may not be easy. This is one of the reasons why Betta fish may not live in a bowl.
Bettas are tropical fish that need a temperature of around 82.3 degrees F. That apart, since they produce a lot of fish waste, they may also need an effective filtration. That is why your tank for Betta fish needs to have an efficient filter and heater installation.
Betta fish need larger tanks to be active
A Betta fish is a very active fish. If you keep them in a larger fish tank, they would be more comfortable to live and be active. In essence, the Betta fish may not be able to do the tasks that they normally do in a larger aquarium.
Betta fish needs more decorations
Your Betta fish loves decorations. These would help the fish to hide and play. If you have a tiny tank or a small bowl, you may not be able to use many decorations. A planted tank would be a better option as opposed to a small bowl. Hiding places and live plants can help achieve better results.
Well, those were just a few reasons you should not keep your Betta fish in a bowl.
What tank size is ideal for Betta fish?
A tank size of 2.5 gallons is the minimum requirement, but a 5-gallon tank should be the ideal option for a Betta fish. If you can afford bigger, it would be better.
Before you add your Bettas, you may also consider adding a filter and a heater and running a fishless cycle. This will ensure that the tank is ready for proper functioning as far as your Betta fish is concerned.
The Closing Thoughts
Well, that should have given you a proper idea – that it is not a good option to keep a Betta fish in a bowl. It is always ideal to keep them in an aquarium of proper size. This will ensure that your Betta fish will remain happy and comfortable. That way you can ensure that your bettas can live a long, happy, and healthy life.
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