Have you ever seen those beautiful Bettas at the store and wondered if you could give one a truly great home? You absolutely can, and it’s easier than you might think.
We see a lot of misinformation out there, especially about keeping them in tiny cups or bowls.
At our store, we sell Bettas the way they deserve to be kept: in heated, filtered tanks that are five gallons or larger. That little cup from the big chain store is just for transport, and nearly everything about it is unhealthy for the fish long-term.
Our commitment is to help you create an environment where your Betta doesn’t just survive, but truly thrives.
We rotate a wonderful selection of halfmoon, plakat, crowntail, and koi-pattern Bettas. Their unique tail shapes and vibrant colors are a joy to watch. We also occasionally have giant or wild-type Bettas, like B. smaragdina or B. imbellis, when they are available.
You can pair one of these amazing fish with a 5-gallon aquarium kit to get started right away. To complete the setup, you’ll need two key pieces of equipment.
- A reliable adjustable heater: Bettas are tropical fish and need their water kept between 78-80°F. A quality heater, like a 50-watt Aqueon Pro, prevents temperature swings that can stress the fish.
- A gentle filter: Strong currents exhaust Bettas. A simple sponge filter or a low-flow hang-on-back filter, like an AquaClear 20 with the flow turned down, is perfect for keeping the water clean without creating a whirlpool.
With just these simple items, your tank will already be better than 90% of the Betta setups out there.
We have a few hard rules we apply to every Betta sale, and they’re all designed to ensure the fish lives a long, happy life. Our team is here to help you get it right from day one.
- 5 gallons is the floor. We won’t sell you a 1-gallon bowl for a Betta, and we’re happy to explain why. In a small bowl, waste builds up to toxic levels quickly and the temperature is unstable. This is why the lifespan difference between a 1-gallon bowl and a 5-gallon tank can be 6 months versus 3 to 5 years.
- No two males in one tank. They are called Siamese fighting fish for a reason, and they will fight to the death. Even placing a divider between them causes constant stress from seeing a rival, which can weaken their immune systems and shorten their lives.
- Plants over plastic. Your Betta’s fins are incredibly delicate, like tissue paper. Sharp plastic plants are notorious for tearing them. We strongly recommend using only live or silk plants. Easy live plants like Java Fern and Anubias are great for beginners and help keep the water clean.
For a full breakdown of why tank size matters so much, you can read our guide on the minimum tank size for a healthy betta.
If you’re planning on giving your fish some friends, our guide to betta tank mates that actually work is required reading. And if your Betta ever looks unwell, our page on common betta diseases covers fin rot, ich, and dropsy, including the treatments we’d recommend.
Ready to get started?
We’ll size and stock a complete Betta setup for you right here in the store, with no charge for the advice and no purchase required. Just bring your room dimensions and a budget, and we’ll help you build the perfect home for your new fish.
