Life Span of a Betta Fish

By:

Bernice Ruvalcaba

February 26, 2010

PSP111

What’s the life span of a Beta Fish?

• Average life span 4-5 years.

• Pet or novelty?

• Cannot survive without basic needs being met.

Beta’s in Pet Stores

• Are already adults

• Some are 6 months to 1 year old.

• Size: about 3” long.

• Cost is about $4.00 each.

Maximizing The Life Span of a Beta

• Good health.

• Good environment.

• Proper diet.

• Tiny grapefruit size bowls are not good at all!

A Beta’s Diet

• Beta’s are meat eaters.

• They eat insects and insect larvae.

• Often they will not eat when the water is too cold.

• They can adapt to dry flakes and frozen foods.

Beta Fish Diseases

• Fin Rot

• Constipation

• Popeye

• Dropsy

• Ick

How To Avoid Sick Beta Fish

• Poor water quality.

• Maintaining water temperature.

• Over feeding leads to constipation.

Important Tips:

• Do not put your beta fish with other beta’s.

• Cover your jars!

• Clean water

• Good Diet

Tips Continued

• Do not decorate your bowl with rocks or marbles.

• Keep your tank, jar or bowl covered.

• Offer live food once in a while.

Do Beta’s Need Special Equipment?

• They don’t need air filters.

• A heater might be good.

• Caves and plants are good for them to hide in when they are frightened.

Beautiful Betas

(www.bettafish.com)

(www.bettafish.com)

References

http://www.better-bettas.com/a/lifespan-of-a-betta-fish.shtml

Boruchowitz, David E. Animal Planet: Aquarium Care of Betas, T.F.H. Publications: Neptune City, NJ. 2009.

Burgess, Bailey M. Tropical Fishlopedia. Howell Books New York, 2000

http://www.freshquarium.about.com/anabantids2/p/betta.html

Betta fish are beautiful. (2008). [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.bettafish.com/