How to Keep a Betta Fish
2023-01-03
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1Betta fish are known for their bright colors.
2They are popular with Americans as pets.
3They are often kept alone in a small tank.
4Male fish are prized for their stronger colors and beautiful fins.
5With good care, bettas live three to five years, but some are known to live 10 years.
6In the northern parts of the world, winter has arrived, and some people might be wondering what to do with their time now that they are indoors.
7Keeping a betta fish can be a fun hobby that does not involve going outside.
8It also does not require too much skill, but you do have to be willing to learn.
9But how do you take care of a betta fish?
10First, betta fish need a home.
11A tank that holds at least 11 liters of water is suggested although 19 liters is better.
12Larger tanks are better because the water needs to be changed less often and provides a healthier environment for the fish.
13Second, the tank needs small rocks or sand at the bottom.
14In the pet fish industry, this is called substrate.
15A few centimeters at the bottom are all that is needed.
16Clean the rocks or sand with running water without soap until it runs clear before adding them to the tank.
17Third, a filter is needed to purify the water.
18Many people keep bettas without filters.
19But the fish should be raised with a filter to stay healthy.
20Follow the filter's guidelines and choose a filter that is the right size for the tank.
21Fourth, a heater is suggested to keep your fish in good condition.
22These fish prefer warmer water, usually between 24 and 28 degrees Celsius.
23Pet stores sell heaters for fish.
24Choose the right size for your aquarium and follow its guidelines, or instructions, to set it up.
25A light and decorations are the final details to set up your tank.
26A light may not be necessary if the room receives enough natural light.
27But an electric light might be helpful if you wish to grow plants in the tank.
28If real plants seem like too much work, plastic plants work as well.
29You can also find other decorations like rocks, or wood pieces. Just make sure they are safe for fish.
30The quality of the water is important to keeping a fish alive and healthy.
31The filter and heater will do a lot to keep the water safe for the fish, but there are additional steps you should take.
32Make sure the water you add to the tank is safe for fish.
33Tap water can be used.
34But it usually contains a chlorine-based chemical harmful to fish, so additional steps need to be taken.
35Krista Keller is a professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine.
36Writing online in 2019, she said, "If tap water is used in the tank, it is recommended to use a dechlorinating product and test for heavy metals."
37Pet stores sell dechlorinating chemicals and they are easy to use.
38Just follow the instructions on the container.
39Stores also sell home water testing products.
40But many fish stores are happy to test your water if you bring in a small amount.
41They can also provide advice on keeping fish in your area's water.
42After setting up your tank, there are a few more things to consider.
43You will need to feed your fish and change its water.
44There are many choices for food.
45There are pellets, frozen whole foods, freeze-dried foods, and live food.
46Pet stores will carry many of these.
47Feed your fish once to twice a day.
48Whatever food you choose, make sure it contains meat or insects because that is what bettas eat in the wild.
49It is suggested to change one fourth of your tank's water once every week or two.
50Remove the old water and add fresh water.
51Your filter also may require some additional cleaning every month or so.
52Male betta fish are kept alone because they are aggressive fish.
53Another name for bettas is Siamese fighting fish.
54Males should never be kept with other betta males.
55If you have a larger tank with other fish, they might live together peacefully.
56But know that male betta fish often attack other fish and may have to live separately.
57Female betta fish can live with other fish peacefully.
58A group of females can be kept too.
59Make sure they have a tank that is large enough and a filter designed for the tank's size.
60I'm Jill Robbins.
1Betta fish are known for their bright colors. They are popular with Americans as pets. 2They are often kept alone in a small tank. Male fish are prized for their stronger colors and beautiful fins. 3With good care, bettas live three to five years, but some are known to live 10 years. 4In the northern parts of the world, winter has arrived, and some people might be wondering what to do with their time now that they are indoors. Keeping a betta fish can be a fun hobby that does not involve going outside. It also does not require too much skill, but you do have to be willing to learn. 5But how do you take care of a betta fish? 6Required parts 7First, betta fish need a home. A tank that holds at least 11 liters of water is suggested although 19 liters is better. Larger tanks are better because the water needs to be changed less often and provides a healthier environment for the fish. 8Second, the tank needs small rocks or sand at the bottom. In the pet fish industry, this is called substrate. A few centimeters at the bottom are all that is needed. Clean the rocks or sand with running water without soap until it runs clear before adding them to the tank. 9Third, a filter is needed to purify the water. Many people keep bettas without filters. But the fish should be raised with a filter to stay healthy. Follow the filter's guidelines and choose a filter that is the right size for the tank. 10Fourth, a heater is suggested to keep your fish in good condition. These fish prefer warmer water, usually between 24 and 28 degrees Celsius. Pet stores sell heaters for fish. Choose the right size for your aquarium and follow its guidelines, or instructions, to set it up. 11A light and decorations are the final details to set up your tank. A light may not be necessary if the room receives enough natural light. But an electric light might be helpful if you wish to grow plants in the tank. If real plants seem like too much work, plastic plants work as well. You can also find other decorations like rocks, or wood pieces. Just make sure they are safe for fish. 12Water quality and temperature 13The quality of the water is important to keeping a fish alive and healthy. The filter and heater will do a lot to keep the water safe for the fish, but there are additional steps you should take. 14Make sure the water you add to the tank is safe for fish. Tap water can be used. But it usually contains a chlorine-based chemical harmful to fish, so additional steps need to be taken. 15Krista Keller is a professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine. Writing online in 2019, she said, "If tap water is used in the tank, it is recommended to use a dechlorinating product and test for heavy metals." 16Pet stores sell dechlorinating chemicals and they are easy to use. Just follow the instructions on the container. Stores also sell home water testing products. But many fish stores are happy to test your water if you bring in a small amount. They can also provide advice on keeping fish in your area's water. 17Betta fish care 18After setting up your tank, there are a few more things to consider. You will need to feed your fish and change its water. 19There are many choices for food. There are pellets, frozen whole foods, freeze-dried foods, and live food. Pet stores will carry many of these. Feed your fish once to twice a day. Whatever food you choose, make sure it contains meat or insects because that is what bettas eat in the wild. 20It is suggested to change one fourth of your tank's water once every week or two. Remove the old water and add fresh water. Your filter also may require some additional cleaning every month or so. 21Tank friends 22Male betta fish are kept alone because they are aggressive fish. Another name for bettas is Siamese fighting fish. Males should never be kept with other betta males. If you have a larger tank with other fish, they might live together peacefully. But know that male betta fish often attack other fish and may have to live separately. 23Female betta fish can live with other fish peacefully. A group of females can be kept too. Make sure they have a tank that is large enough and a filter designed for the tank's size. 24I'm Jill Robbins. 25Gregory Stachel wrote this story for VOA Learning English. 26____________________________________________________________ 27Words in This Story 28fin -n. the part of a fish or marine mammal that the animal uses to move or affect its movement 29pet - n. an animal (such as a dog, cat, bird, or fish) that people keep mainly for pleasure 30hobby - n. an activity that a person does for pleasure when not working 31filter - n. a device that is used to remove something unwanted from a liquid or gas that passes through it 32decoration - n. something that is added to something else to make it more attractive 33tap -n. a device that controls the flow (usually of water) from a pipe or tank 34recommend - v. to suggest that someone do (something) 35dechlorinate - v. to remove chlorine from a substance 36____________________________________________________________ 37What do you think of this story? 38We want to hear from you. 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