Setting up for a Betta

[mrose_s]

I lost my goldfish from his hospital bowl last week (RIP Ratis)

So now I have this fish bowl.

How much water do I need? Its not a big bowl so if its too small I could stock it with Guppies?
How do I heat the water or is it okat not to atm as it is summer and usually about 90F during the day? But wat about for winter?
What about a filter? Its only a smallish bowl so would I even need one?

[puppylover2007]

Originally Posted by mrose_s

I lost my goldfish from his hospital bowl last week (RIP Ratis)

So now I have this fish bowl.

How much water do I need? Its not a big bowl so if its too small I could stock it with Guppies?
How do I heat the water or is it okat not to atm as it is summer and usually about 90F during the day? But wat about for winter?
What about a filter? Its only a smallish bowl so would I even need one?

well, i have had betta's before and i would not get anything smaller than a 2 gal mini tank.... because you should use a small filter ( like a 3 gph filter) and some lights.. the temp would need to stay around 78 to 80F...

if you have what the fish people call a "death bowl" then i would still keep a goldfish in it, but, to make it live longer you could put in a air stone, and some lights or something...

anyways, good luck

[Punkygirl0101]

Bowls are actually bad for goldfish. A lot of people think they are suitable because they are labeled as "Goldfish bowls", but goldfish get very large..They need ATLEAST a 20 gallon tank for 1, plus 10 for every other goldfish put in after.

And guppies need a heater and a filter in their tank.

Personally, I keep my bettas in ATLEAST 5 gallon filtered tanks, but I usually just give them their own 10 gallon filter/planted tank with a couple tank mates (Such as Zebra danios, platys,and tetras). They CAN be with other fish, just certain ones.

[Lilavati]

Bettas are the only fish you can keep in a bowl (well, and their close relatives paradise fish) BUT:

You need a one gallon bowl, minimum.
You need to have it somewhere that is a stable, warm temperture. If you can't do that, get a little tank (2.5 or 5 with a miniature heater)
You need to change the water, 50%, every week, without fail, and more often if your fish looks poorly.
You must not, not over feed.

Not following these rules will earn you a dead betta.

Bettas are air-breathers (labrynith fish) and their natural enviroments are small seasonal pools not too much bigger than a large fish bowl. They are also not very atheletic. . . so they can live in a bowl . . .

My advice would be to get a 2.5 or a 5 with a mini heater and a mini filter. Doing a betta in a bowl right is a lot of work . . . a betta in a little tank with heater and filter is much easier.

[mrose_s]

Thanks. I'll probably sell my bowl then.

Ratis was only small and I was only setting it up as a temp area for him while he got better. The goldies I have now are in a way too small tank, their being upgraded in the near future. to something 200L+
I just got the bowl because I wanted to get him out of the big tank and I only had about $70 to spend.

[FoxyWench]

ideally for a betta 5 gals is my personal minimum, while wild bettas do spend much of their life in seasonal pools in the rice patties they are SLOW RIVER fish meaning there only there by accident...
2 gallons is definatly the minimum id suggest for a happy healthy betta.

whisper brand makes a small filter that works perfect for a small betta home its the 3i and is an intank filter (works for bowls because its suction cup rather than hob, and rated for up to 3 gals, whisper also makes a 5gal filter which is a little larger...

you can also buy small heaters rated for 3-5glalons that work perfectly for small setups.
remeber in a bowl even with a filter water changed of 50***37; should be done weekly and debris collects on the bottom VERY quickly.

there usually easy fish to keep and very cool in terms of personality. they build bubble nests when content!

[krisykris]

I just got a Betta two weekends ago. He's a crown tail and so cute!

Here's some pics

[planet molosser]

I have hard water tried betta drops did not work so I was told by a fish expert to try spring water with beta drops and my betas are living

[Punkygirl0101]

People seem to not understand that those rice patties are usually LARGER than 20-50 gallons. They are not tiny puddles. So 1/2 gallon cups and vases I have seen these guys in..are cruel IMO.