Betta Fish

I taught my betta to swim through a small hoop for a food reward in about a week. He genuinely recognises me versus strangers and behaves differently around each. The care is simple once you have the tank cycled and the heater dialled in. The only reason I am not giving five stars is that the short …

My first betta was healthy for a year and then developed velvet disease seemingly out of nowhere. Treating the tank was stressful and expensive. My second betta has been fine for eighteen months, so maybe I just had bad luck. They are stunning fish and I still recommend them, but be prepared for occ…

I have had dogs, cats, hamsters, and rabbits. My betta is genuinely my favourite pet I have ever owned. He comes to the front of the tank when I sit at my desk, stares at me while I work, and has the most expressive face of any animal I know. He's two and a half years old and still as vibrant as the…

I made the mistake of putting my betta with some neon tetras. He was fine at first but eventually shredded a couple of their tails. Some bettas coexist peacefully with other fish, but mine clearly prefers to be alone. Once I moved him to his own tank, he became much calmer and more active. Three sta…

Living in a small flat, I didn't have room for a large aquarium. A 10-gallon betta tank fits perfectly on my desk and makes the room feel alive. My halfmoon betta, Gatsby, is endlessly entertaining. He investigates every new decoration I add, hunts bloodworms with ferocious energy, and sleeps curled…

My betta sits on my home office desk and honestly makes working from home so much better. He reacts to what I do — if I play music, he swims around more actively. He knows my face distinctly from other people who come into the room. After three years he is still bright crimson with perfect fins. Bet…