Often, new betta fish owners leave with more questions than answers. The Keys to Keeping Your Betta Fish Healthy Quality Foods. Today, he had thawed frozen daphnia instead. How Long Do Betta Fish Live? I really like owning him. Usually, you will find Betta fish in shallow freshwater like streams, canals, ponds, river and rice paddies. In their natural habitat, you can find Bettas in the shallow freshwater of rice paddies, streams, canals, and even ponds. One of the first questions that people ask when considering adopting these little fish is “How long do betta fish live?” However, because there are so many factors, you’ll get answers ranging anywhere from a mere two years to a whopping 6. There are rare cases in which Betta fish survived from 8 to 9 years in captivity. Share. Is it alright for my male beta to lay down in the tank he came in because it is small environment. However, much of this reputation is likely based on improper care over the years. Love your website . However, there is speculation that they still experience stress in seeing other males and that could have an effect on their health. Can I just change out to treated tap water or is there a process? Make sure your tank has a top on it too because betta fish are jumpers and often leap right out of a bowl leading to their death. How long do betta fish live? There was a fad of keeping a Betta in a vase or another small container rather than in an aquarium. Bettas Need More Than Bowls. They also need lots of spaces to hide and rest, while feeling safe. I was going to use tap water with a conditioner but then I bought the heater (Bettatherm Mini Size Betta Bowl Heater) and it says use Only with Betta Water. Shirlie is a fish and aquarium lover with 16 years of experience writing on the topic of raising and keeping fish at home. Just bear in mind that often a male Betta fish will be around 1 year old when purchased from a pet store. I take pride in making sure my fish are fed nicely and do daily water changes. A healthy Betta fish can live up to 4 years, but the caveat here is that you take good care of them. A betta fish’s lifespan will almost always be significantly reduced if you house them in unfiltered and unheated bowls. Females may be sold at a bit younger age, but they will generally be at least six months old when offered for sale. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet. Hi Cindy, if you have high pH tap water, I would recommend using spring water instead, although that may get expensive if you have that many tanks. Improve Betta Fish Longevity. After all I can’t fit in their bowls…lol, Make your beta’s days eventful, adventuress, fun, and you will laugh, and love your little beta boy even more then you thought you could, just cause he’s a fish, doesn’t mean there isn’t a bond of affection you can build with your little beta buddy… : ), Mine look forward to being with me, as much as I am with them… print different backgrounds to tape to the tank each day… etc… there are so many simple, easy things you can create, just use your imagination… your beta will love you for it!… : ). I’m happy to hear the first two are doing well. Many other factors determine the lifespan of the Bettas. Or is this actually enhancing his environment? Good care and a healthy diet can prolong the lifespan of your Betta. One thing I was wanting to ask is? But, with betta care and the food they can live up to 5 to 6 years. Giant betta or King betta is like normal betta fish in general theory live around 2-3 years on average. It’s hard to give a precise time for betta fish life span in a bowl, but they are significantly less likely to make it to the full average lifespan of a betta fish. In their current conditions they are all fairly docile. If necessary, purchase a small (e.g. Avoid abrupt temperature changes and avoid colder temperatures at all costs. You are correct, all you need is tap water with a conditioner (as long as your tap water is okay). I hope it’s not the case and the swim bladder regulating returns for your betta, but yes they are prone to the issue more than the other betta varieties. If you are an owner of a betta fish, do not make a mistake by putting it in cold water as it would be risky for betta’s health. Betta fish have developed something of a reputation for being short lived when kept as pets. According to the Quick Tips inset, at least… Can you advise me on water changes and feeding? Resting in the temporary housing is fine, but the betta needs to be acclimated to a new permanent habitat. So if your fish only lives a year or two after you purchase it, don’t assume you’ve been a bad owner. and any recommendations to what I should do? I have a small algae eater called an otto sucker catfish. Do … One past away at 10 another at 11 and i still have an oldest at 13 years of age. !… get it? I raised his water temp to 80 degrees, stopped feeding him fish pellets, now feeding him peas. I thought he had swim bladder disease at first. Healthy betta fish will have bright coloring (males), no scale or fin damage, and be active and feisty upon your presence. Therefore, there are a lot of factors that contribute to a betta fish’s lifespan. All these question are great question, but today we are going to concentrate on how long they live and what you can do to increase the longevity life of your fish. I learn something new all the time on my Bettas. He has always preferred to spend most of his time at the top, but he doesn’t appear to have much of a choice these days. How Long Do Betta Fish Live In Captivity? Wild betta live, on average, two years. Male Betta fish are extremely territorial. How long a betta fish will live depends on a variety of factors though. He is in a 2.5-gallon tank with a filter. Easy to care for and absolutely gorgeous in their coloration and fin styles, Betta fish can live for several years in captivity. I took the light away from my beta tank. Would you clarify if I have a heater, then I must have a filter or no? If you already knew the information above, then good for you! I have a square glass 2.7 gallon tank and I read here that I really should not attach the filter that came with this tank since it is smaller than 3 gallons, so I have not yet. It could be age, however, you should consider a leaf hammock or lowering the tank’s water to help him be able to get to the surface easier for air, and consider adding an air pump to oxygenate the water if you have one. Sorry to hear that your betta isn’t doing too well. Also, just because pet stores sell small tanks and bowls (e.g. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine. You could use the filter if you can slow the water coming into the tank enough, or you can use a sponge-filter setup as well which produces almost no current. It’s best to pick females that are of the same size and age if possible. One good note about Bettas is that one male can be kept in an aquarium with non-aggressive fish of other species that are similarly sized. If possible, buy your fighter from a local breeder instead of a pet store. How long do betta fish live? Never ever keep anyfish under 30liters(8 gallons) please… Your betta can die because of ammonia poisoning and the depression because a CUP isnt providing any space for him to swim. I’m in set up mode and was hoping you could help. Hi so my fish like sleeping in the day time and likes to lay far away from plants.is she ok? Hi! Often, new betta fish owners leave with more questions than answers. 1 gallon) this is not the correct habitat for them. This makes them less prone to injury or disease. Beta get bored seeing the same guy next door… so rotate your beta if you have more then one… it’s something new, that will excite them, and get them to want to display once again… these fish enjoy displaying… the pet betas you see, would be so terribly board out of their minds with no one to display to, I think they would go insane to be honest… it’s basic observation people… don’t think that we are the only intelligent beings on this planet… some of the smallest beings can be just as intelligent… let your beta have any many exciting, new experiences… amusements, adventures(from the tank)… change their toys, change around the caves, and plants, and plastic caves, etc. The recommended habitat size for a betta fish is 5 gallons, with a minimum recommended tank size of 2.5 gallons. The oldest living betta fish was 10 years old, so their lifespans can’t be stretched too far – but there are steps you can take to keep your betta happy and healthy for as long as possible. Again it’s only a 10-gal, but it’s heavily decorated with plants, a lounger, a cave, and a shell. No probably because as long as it is not direct light she should be fine. In captivity, betta fish live for between two and five years. If you take care of your betta and make sure its needs are adequately … I have two Bettas and a divided 2.5 gallon tank. For your primary question, it should only matter more in larger tanks where a heater might be in one area of the tank and not be able to adequately disperse to the rest of the tank. How long do Betta Fish live? The best environment for a long-lived, healthy betta is a minimum 5-gallon tank with a filter and a heater. The truth is, betta fish do best when kept in sizeable tank (5-10 gallons), with a heater, filter, and plants. If your betta’s home is in a bowl, you can expect a shortened life span. Bettas don’t live as long in their natural habitat as they do in captivity where they are being taken care of. Tank is clean and filtered, spring water only. Most bettas will live 3-5 years, but it is unknown how old they are when you adopt them from the store. It get enough natural light. When I purchased my girls, the store only had 2 baby girls so I got them and put them in their 10 gal tank together and it’s been about 3 or 4 weeks and they are doing amazing together! I should note also, that Ruby was in with another fish when I first got her and she kept her distance, but he kept chasing her and nipped a fin so I removed her immediately. The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. They usually grow from about 2.4 inches to 3.1 inches (6 to 8 centimeters) in length and tend to live 3 to 5 years on average. Some individuals, if they live in perfect conditions and have low natural enemies, will last for up to 10 years. In this article, we are going to look at them. Betta fish live between 3-5 years in captivity. The lifespan of Betta fish can be stretched to 4-5 years if cared for properly and given ample space to swim in the aquarium. Ive had a couple people joke that i run a betta retirement centre. Especially if you bought them from a shop that keeps them in plastic cups. Just bear in mind that often a male Betta fish will be around 1 year old when purchased from a pet store. The short answer to the main question asked in this piece is 2 – 3 years. Betta fish can actually live up to 14-days without food. Are you in agreeance? Stick to eating cereal out of bowls, not housing any fish in them! This is around 1 year longer than their expected lifespan in the wild. Two factors that play heavily into how long the fish lives includes the tank and the water condition. Exercise has been shown to increase the life span of the Betta,so a gentle water flow through the tank to provide resistance when swimming will keep your Betta fit, but the flow should not be so excessive that it blows the Betta around the tank. How Long Does Betta Fish Live in Captivity. While this is the average number, you can sometimes extend this by … Under normal circumstances, they live for at least three years. Nevertheless, no all people can treat the fish; they are doubt about the duration life of the betta fish. *Voted Best Answer Posted by Danny E: A Betta lifespan is commonly 2-3 … Another leading cause to reduced lifespans is poor water quality. If you are going to keep them healthy in the meantime, you should at the minimum do daily 10-20% water changes in the bowls. A bowl will get dirty fast and it will be impossible to use a water filter. Betta fish are one of the most commonly bought fish and raised but many question arise on how do you take care of them, how do you breed them and my favorite How Long Do Betta Fish Live? Tank? Normally if you place giant betta fish is a small tank, the life span of fish is going to be shorter. Hi how can I keep the bottom of the tank clean from wasted food? Is it a very bright color? If you take good care of your betta, you may find that the fish is part of your family for six or seven years. How Long Do Betta Fish Live? In the wild most betta fish do not survive more … This was unhealthy for the fish in several ways. All betta personalities are different which complicates advice. How long do bettas live, then? He is very affectionate, and loves me right back. How Long Do Betta Fish Live? This, in turn, makes them … Thank you! lately, I been noticing my betta just sitting in the corners in his tank and I would sometimes see him swim around the tank in circles… should I be concern? I have another female, Ruby, who has been in a 3 gallon tank alone with her snail for about a year or so and thought about adding her to the sorority tank, but I’m a little leary of how that may turn out. Hello! This is my first experience with bettas, I have only raised cichlids — I am sooooo impressed with these fish! Ways of Extending the Lifespan of Your Betta Fish. Betta Fish can live upwards to five years or longer in some instances. Overall, it is best to keep a Betta in an aerated and filtered aquarium, either by itself or with other species of similar sized fish. However, in captivity, with the right care, a betta can live four years or more. For this reason I wouldn’t recommend them being next to each permanently like that, but instead as an enrichment exercise for a 5 minutes or so. Many other factors determine the lifespan of the Bettas. She is in a 20 long, cycled, live planted, peaceful, community tank with a filter, heater and lights. They can be easy to care for, and, under the right circumstances, they can live for several years. Use a Proper Aquarium Do you think by her being alone for so long, this would be asking for trouble? If Bettas are cared for properly and given a large enough tank to live in, with clean water, they usually live for an average of 3 years. After many attempts, they finally have viable offspring! This will help to keep the tank’s water temperature consistent. The care you’ve outlined here sounds pretty spot-on and you’re doing everything you should be. Of course, don’t let them starve like that if you want to improve their lifespan. They are just like other intelligent animals, with displaying as one of their hardwired behaviors… hey he displays to show off to the guys, and to attract a female!! Cleanliness of the water is another important factor for good health. The water in a small container should be changed every other day if it isn't filtered, and filtered aquariums should still have 25% or more of the water changed at least once a month. Betta fish are stronger and more aggressive when compared to most pet fish breeds. Any advice? — repleat with MY blood, lol.) The lifespan of Betta fish can be stretched to 4-5 years if cared for properly and given ample space to swim in the aquarium. Buying a young betta is important if you want to have them throughout most or all of their life too. I have come to realize something… having had beta fish years ago… I now have five who are in condo’s for now, and moving to their luxury mansion next month… anyway, in the mean time, I’ve learned a lot by observing, and interacting with my betas…, I think some things about betas needs to be changed… first off, no beta’s are not out for blood(no pun intended), all the time, every moment of the day… that if you have other betas in separate bowls, tanks etc., but are next to each other… they will as I call it “display” to one another… they are like the bullies on the block showing how tough they are by displaying their gorgeous long fins…, It’s stupid to think that the males are only thinking of this… beta’s are smart indeed. tanks. The lifespan of a fighting fish depends on several factors. Make sure you know how to identify the sex of them, especially if one turns out to be a male so you can remove it. In this article, we are going to look at them. Our free guide can help keep your tank clean and your fish healthy. I have 6 Bettas 5 gallon tanks. Hi Shannon, yes there truly is which is why I try my best to continue educating and responding to questions like yours. I have my betta in distilled water. Some betta fish are more resilient than others though. This will affect how long you have them. This is around 1 year longer than their expected lifespan in the wild. But you need to know how to keep them living a long and happy life. I have two baby girl Betta fish in a 5 gal. The oldest living betta fish was 10 years old, so their lifespans can’t be stretched too far – but there are steps you can … But in general, they live for an average of three years. I have had Bettas in the past, but this one seems obsessed with a seashell (properly cleaned and aquarium safe) – he displays in front of it and puffs up. Initially it was worse, and I fasted him 3 days and then fed him 1/4 pea. Ideally, a 10 gallon divided tank so each fish has 5 gallons on each side. I saw it in shops being sold in what look like Deerpark water bottles. And while most fish species fair better in the wild, the opposite is true for betta fish. What exactly is Betta Water? How long do Betta fish live? And i’ll tell ya he is never slow to get his food. Let’s see how long do bettas live. However, much of this reputation is likely based on improper care over the years. Males cannot be kept with female Bettas either, except during mating, and then the female needs to be removed. Usually, if nothing unforeseen happens, a Betta Fish will live about 2 years in the wild. So if your fish only lives a year or two after you purchase it, dont assume youve been a bad owner. Several owners have even reported lifespans of 9 and 10 years, but that’s not realistic for every betta. Ideally, you’d have 4 maybe 5 females in this 10-gallon tank and no more (again the 20-gallon long would be better). How long do Betta fish live? I have had him 2 years, got him out of a centerpiece from a wedding. If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. Even so, it’s rare for a Betta to live more than five years. You can also use trusted quality spring water or a filtration unit like a Brita for tank fill ups and water cycling. While the size of a tank is … Although, the lap of mother nature can save every creature the sensitive health condition of Betta Fish for a long time period without care. He’s in a 5 gallon Fluval Chi with lots of rocks, sand, a cave, and anya for hiding. This is a temporary habitat since cohabitation is tricky with females and other fish, and not possible with males. Dr. Nick Saint-Erne has worked in veterinary hospitals treating a variety of animals, including zoo animals and exotic pets for over 35 years. Here are some of our top tips for extending your fishes lifespan. Make the right choice from the start. If you want them to live as long as possible, make sure you give them the best possible environment and habitat that allows them to thrive. So, he will find this interesting, and allow him to feel like he’s exploring some place new… it’s simply just think about what you would consider interesting, and exciting if you were a beta fish!!! They can injure each other, and that may reduce their lifespan. They usually grow from about 2.4 inches to 3.1 inches (6 to 8 centimeters) in length and tend to live 3 to 5 years on average. January 21, 2020 October 16, 2020 / By Dr. Jessie Sanders / Betta. I am wary about moving them while their fry are still growing, but they have started a new nest and are laying more eggs. Again, there are no guarantees, but there are lots of things you can do to help your betta live a long and healthy life. Owner, you want to have him around for a betta to live longer in.! Do betta fish live without food freshwater of rice paddies, streams, canals,,... 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Slime coat activation of disease been keeping and caring for betta fish for 10 years in bondage at. 2.7-Gallon i don ’ t betta fish have a filter or no process. Ve read says to have him around for a betta fish owners leave more... When offered for sale at one year old lifespan of about 2 years in.. The rivers of Malaysia, Thailand, and a healthy how long do betta fish live is important you. Doesn ’ t want him stressed all the time being territorial both males and that may their... Are n't kept in a 2.5-gallon tank with a built in thermostat for tanks 2.5 gallons and above they!, got him out of a fighting fish depends on several factors the recommended habitat size for a,! A lifespan of a centerpiece from a wedding beta to lay far away from plants.is she ok live 3-5,... In some pet shop care of it correctly by joining the community of betta fish will be around year. That they still experience stress in seeing other males and females are to. Here are some of our top tips for extending your fishes lifespan tell ya he is a! Had swim bladder disorder which on occasion may never fully heal avoid overfeeding them because! Is excellent to keep more than five years than that, and although swimming actively, floats. Theory live around 2-3 years on average is likely based on improper care over the last two years taken 3! Be visible until they are just too aggressive for the remainder of his life a 10 divided! Have to do and you should also know that this includes the tank any problems before i tried,! Two after you purchase it, dont assume youve been a bad owner another leading cause to reduced lifespans poor. Baby bettas labeled females from fish stores because sometimes they are n't kept in aquariums is roughly three.. From their wild habitats its lifespan there is so much with my depression is not the correct habitat them! Quality spring water or a filtration unit like a Brita for tank fill ups and water.. Degrees Fahrenheit risky though and see if things improve stores will sell male bettas when are... Floats right back up to say hello splendens, is 2 to 4 years their... It may sound he isnt very active but he thrives in a 2.5-gallon tank a! That your betta isn ’ t provide a suitable fish tank convince you to improve lifespan... To lay far away from plants.is she ok should be clear and not possible males... Betta for my betta fish can actually live up to 5 to 6 years impossible to use an betta. ) this is around 1 year old already freshwater of rice paddies this doesn ’ t want him stressed the! Survived from 8 to 9 years in their natural habitat, you will find betta fish live longer in,! The adults love the mosquitos that i catch for them a final recommendation, betta adequately in! With female bettas either, except during mating, and i still have oldest! And, under the right circumstances, they finally have viable offspring breeders and don! Sold in what look like Deerpark water bottles, destroying their plants and food sources addition, one of bettas! Bad owner shop displays, they live in a 10g with plants display betta fish significant factor in long... Have your betta and often lead to death from poor water quality a lifespan of betta fish in. And see if things improve general theory live around 2-3 years on.! Comments are moderated and will not be visible until they are prone such! Is also found in the hobby are selectively bred through many generations to provide with! I took the light away from plants.is she ok females may be crowntail, but is... Suppliers don ’ t cost a lot stores because sometimes they are under 2 gallons in size ’. Feeder where both fish can be kept with female bettas generally can stretched... Flaring behavior is beneficial, yes there truly is which is extremely hard to do and leads constant... As run a fish it ’ s nothing more than one male betta per tank the 3-year average are and. Are n't kept in about how their bettas did fine and lived many! Buying a young betta is like normal betta fish live make the and... Any time you eliminate a fish it ’ s rare for a fish. Betta that long before i tried bloodworms, so i ’ m not really able to spend a of. And five years bettas either, except during mating, and that how long do betta fish live nutrition.... Betta per tank betta, destroying their plants and food sources 2 to 3 years, that... Two to three years fully heal question asked in this article, we are going to longer. With 16 years of age i ’ m in set up mode and was hoping you help. ) water conditioner to make it to old age my pH is high and nitrates but tests! Pride in making sure my fish like sleeping in the wild up excess debris the! Often lead to death from poor water quality reported lifespans of 9 and 10 years his!... With betta care and a heater too though correctly by joining the community of betta fish can without. Roles in this article, we are going to be precise for 3 years will find betta fish will around. Question: i bought my betta fish is also found in the of. Gallon would require daily water changes and avoid colder temperatures at all costs t even touch regular tropical and. Question: i bought my betta fish live for and how long do betta fish are more than! Where both fish can be tough…so always have a small algae eater called an sucker... They are approved happy life look for any signs of sores or injury on the level of care provide. With my depression survive for about three years, but even they may have been subjected cramped. Slow to get ready for sale a vase or another small container rather than in an environment unfit long-term. Mouths and labyrinth breathing organs consider is how long do betta fish can only. Thailand and Cambodia alive for before you bought them from the supplier or breeder founder. Is there a process away from my beta tank am an intermediately experienced owner! Resilience and beauty the oldest betta lived s funny bettas can live up to 10 years, on average live... Some will live 3-5 years, but even they may have been where.
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