How Long Do Betta Fish Live?
Betta fish live for 3-4 years on average, depending on the quality of the treatment given to it. Illness and poor care will cause an early death to bettas.
This article will talk about the factors that can affect a betta’s lifespan, and how you can make sure that your fish lives a comfortable life for as long as possible.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Betta Fish Lifespan
- Preventing Fights Between Male Betta Fish
- Creating The Right Betta Tank Setup
- Tips to Help Your Betta Fish Live Longer
- Betta Fish Life Expectancy: Key Takeaways
Betta Fish Lifespan
The average lifespan of a betta fish is three years. Males and females have the same lifespan, but you may find that your male bettas die first. Captive males suffer from an earlier death because male bettas are allowed to mature before they’re sold.
Selling older males ensures their fins are long and flowing and colors are fully vibrant and. Male bettas are usually sold at one year old and females are sold at around six months old.
Captive bettas can live longer than regular bettas in the wild, as long as they get a proper treatment. There have even been cases of captive bettas living from 6 to 10 years.
Bettas in the wild deal with much harsher conditions than a pet betta will ever find in a tank. Due to natural predators and other factors wild bettas are not expected to live longer.
Of course, poor living conditions will be harmful to your bettas and lead to fast death. Overfeeding, Fighting, and small tank sizes can all have a big influence on your betta’s lifespan.
Preventing Fights Between Male Betta Fish
Male bettas can’t coexist in the same tank under any circumstances. Bettas are also named Siamese fighting fish, due to their aggression and territorial behavior. Even in a large tank, two male bettas will fight till one of them die. Fighting also cause stress to the fish, which shortens their lifespans.
In a large enough tank, male bettas can live with a group of females, but never with just one female. The female might be the subject of bullying and even aggressive attacks
We recommended that you watch the tank when introducing your male and female bettas, in case of any aggression. Some bettas display more aggressive and territorial behaviors than others. Females can also be aggressive. If you possess more than one male betta, you’ll be in need of more than one tank.
A single male betta will experience comfort and happiness by itself in a tank. Bettas aren’t don’t necessarily need tank mates. Alternatively, you could have one female in a tank, or a sorority (five or more female bettas).
Creating The Right Betta Tank Setup
You may come across pictures of bettas kept in vases, and small tanks. This has a bad effect on bettas and will lead to your fish dying early .
5 gallons is the minimum tank size for a betta, with 10 gallons and upwards preferred. If you only possess a 5-gallon tank, you can only have a single betta. Overcrowding a tank will cause aggression and poor water quality.
When you set up your tank, make sure that you buy a good filtration system to keep the water clean and in good conditions. You’ll need to change the tank’s water on a regular basis , with a minimum of 15% weekly water changes.
Clean water will reduce the chance of your betta catching a sickness. Poor water conditions can even make your Betta aggressive. Live plants can be very helpful by adding more oxygen to the water, and also maintaining good water quality. You should also add decorations, toys, and hiding places to the tank to give your betta an enjoyable experience.
In case you decide to add tank mates, it’s important to choose the suitable kind of fish. Additionally, make sure there’s plenty of space in the tank for your new fish, and include hiding places.
Tips to Help Your Betta Fish Live Longer
Every fish owner wants to maximize their pets living span. Fish can be tricky to handle, and new aquarium owners often have misunderstand what their fish need.
Overfeeding fish and keeping them in very small tanks are common problems. The classic goldfish bowl is not suitable for goldfish, or any fish, just as small vases are unsuitable for bettas.
These are a few tricks and tips to pamper your bettas and help them to live long, happy lives.
Proper Nutrition
Many fish owners mistake by overfeeding their fish. It’s recommended that you feed your fish only once a day (although this may differ depending on the age of your fish and the species too). Aim to provide sufficient food for your fish to eat within three minutes.
Lot of fish are greedy. Fish owners shouldn’t feed them again even if they are worried that their fish is hungry.
Bettas can be picky eaters. Commercial tropical fish foods may not be the best option for providing the right nutrition for your bettas, even the fish might not eat it.
Bloodworms, brine shrimp, and specially designed betta food can help supply your fish with the nutrition they need. Bettas are carnivores and love to eat larvae and insects.
Keep the Males Apart
Male bettas should never be kept in the same tank. Very territorial and aggressive or bettas can become furious just at the sight of another male.
In case of having an aggressive betta, keep other males in different tanks, out of sight. It’s also a good idea to not have mirrors near your fish tank.
Regulate Water Temperature
The ideal water temperature for bettas is between 75°F and 79°F. Bettas need warm balanced water because they are tropical fish.
Water that’s too hot or too cold will impact your betta’s health. Cold water can make bettas miserable, lethargic, and ill, and hot water can be just as dangerous.
A good quality water heater should maintain the tank waters warmth. However, be careful to not overheat small tanks. For small, 5-gallon tanks, you might not even need a heater at all. To be safe, make sure to monitor the water temperature using a monitor. Keep away from drafts (which can chill the water) , and out of direct sunlight (which can cause it to overheat) .
Give Your Bettas Access to Surface Air
Bettas are labyrinth fish, which means they are able to breathe oxygen from the water and air. In fact, bettas can even endure staying out of water for short periods.
Your bettas will be in need of access to the surface of the tank to breathe. This is another reason why with fitted lids and vases aren’t good — your betta simply won’t have enough oxygen.
Watch your Bettas for Illness or Injury
In the face of your best efforts, your betta may still suffer from an illness. A betta’s long fins are susceptible to be injured, especially if its tank mates have a habit of nipping the fin.
Make sure to keep a close eye on your fish for any signs of illness or injury. White or colored patches on their fins and body or could indicate disease, discoloration, or growths. Bleeding fins or ragged indicate injury, and the wounds could become infected if the tank water isn’t clean enough.
Changes in behavior can also be an indicator that your fish is unhealthy. If your bettas refuse to eat, lethargic, or lay in the bottom of the tank, there could be something wrong. The faster you detect any health problems in your bettas, the sooner you can provide a treatment to them.
Betta Fish Life Expectancy: Key Takeaways
Fish care is more complex than many new fish owners think. Here is couple of tips on how to keep your bettas healthy:
- Pick a suitable tank size and filtration system
- Regulate the water temperature
- Choose the right tank mates
- Keep the males apart. It’s best to separate males and females, too
- Supply plenty of decorations and hiding places for your betta
- Always clean the tank and maintain good water quality
- Treat any illness or injuries immediately
Despite the fact that bettas live around three years on average a well-treated betta can live up to six years or more.
