

Thankfully, most species are sexually dimorphic and males and females can be distinguished by external characteristics. However, you will need to slow production eventually, and unmonitored breeding will cause eventual inbreeding. Even beginner fish keepers can successfully rear several generations, doubling or tripling your initial numbers within a few months.

With live-bearing fish, it is important to always plan for more fish.
LARGE FISH BOWL AQUARIUM UPGRADE
It is recommended to start with a 10-gallon aquarium at a minimum, but know you may have to upgrade as your population increases. Most mollies and platys are hardy and easy to keep fish. Some specialty breeds, specific to only one owner or shop, tend to have inbreeding issues and they do not make good beginner fish. We recommend starting with a common variety that is widely available, such as a black molly or red platy. They can be kept in schools and grow to about three inches in length. Mollies and platys are very easy fish to care for and come in many varieties and colors. And after a single mating, a female livebearer can have multiple batches of babies! Since fertilization takes place internally, you never know from the outward appearance how many fish you may be adopting. Live-bearing fish have this reputation, as the fish you first adopted has a 50 percent chance of being a pregnant female. Many molly and platy owners start with only one or two fish. It is best that bettas eat betta-specific pellets in order to receive proper nutrition and the pellet size is appropriate for their mouth. Feeding quantity will depend on the size of your fish and pellet size. They should never be allowed to eat their fill, but only as much food as they will eat in about 3 minutes, twice daily. Your filter and heater will go a long way in making a happy betta home.īe sure you don't overfeed your betta! Their "stomach" is only about the size of their eyeball.

Extra water makes it easy for beginners to have an easy maintenance schedule. Bettas are easy to keep in a larger aquarium, and one male betta can be kept with similar-sized non-aggressive fish of other species. For beginners, it is recommended to start with one male betta fish in his own tank. Female bettas can usually be kept together in a large enough aquarium. Keep in mind that betta fish top out length-wise around three to four inches, so make sure all their decor will suit them as they grow.īettas will fight with each other, so males need to be kept separated. Use decor that is betta specific if you are concerned. If you run your finger along any potential decor, you should not feel any firm or sharp protrusions. Their fins are easily torn on sharp decor items. Use an appropriate size filter and turn the flow all the way down or divert it so your betta doesn't get pushed around by the water flow. With their long, delicate fins, bettas are prone to being knocked about by quick flowing water. Make sure your aquarium has a thermometer and not those unreliable stick-on ones! The bigger the volume of water, the easier it is for your heater to keep a constant temperature. Being tropical fish, bettas should be kept at 78 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit (26 to 28 degrees Celsius).

Although they have the reputation as one of the easiest fish to keep, your betta will live a longer, happier life with a few upgrades from their sad, little fishbowl.īettas thrive in a five-gallon tank minimum, with a filter and heater.
