Keeping Betta Fish In a bowl

If you'd like the pleasure of a beautiful fish but don't have the space for a large aquarium, a fish bowl may be just the solution you need to bring a finny friend to your home. While it is true that a small fish bowl is not the best home for any type of fish, FISH BOWLS DO WORK if you get the right size, the right fish, and provide it with appropriate care and maintenance.

Take note however, that contrary to popular belief, fish bowls are not that easy to care for. In fact, it is easier to care for a larger fish tank. If you choose to keep fish in a bowl, there are several things you should keep in mind. Fish produceswaste (urine and feces) as they consume food, and these contribute to poor water quality. In a small environment like a bowl, it is easier for these wastes to accumulate and reach toxic levels due to the small volume of water to neutralize them. So if you could afford to keep a larger tank rather than a small bowl, please do so! Fish bowls are only intended for the rest of us who don't have enough space to keep a large tank, such as those who stay in college dormitories or small offices. This guide will help you learn how to keep a fish bowl at its best.

The Fish: Why Betta?

Bettas are one of the usual reasons of impulse buying and sudden giving in to the aquarium hobby. They are scientifically known as Betta splendens which is Latin for "Beautiful Warrior". Thanks to their brilliant coloration and long flowing fins, they are one of, if not the most recognized aquarium fish. It is common to people who just pass by the pet shop with no intention of buying a tank nor a fish in the first place and end up carrying a fish bowl kit with a Betta as they go home.

The beauty about Betta fish is that they don't need a large tank to survive, they can cope quite well in a small bowl without the requirement of filtration or aeration. Again, I would like to stress that A FISH BOWL IS NOT THE BEST HOME FOR ANY TYPE OF FISH. A larger tank with a filtration system would surely make a better home and a happier fish. Nevertheless, if a fish bowl is properly cared for and maintained well, a Betta fish will do just fine in such a small environment.

The Betta is also commonly known as the "Siamese Fighting Fish" because the males will always fight each other. You should never keep males together for this reason, but can keep a Betta with other gentle fishes if you have a large aquarium. In a fish bowl, however, it is best to keep a SINGLE Betta. Putting many fishes in a bowl means more waste, poorer water quality, and eventually a sick fish! Remember, a Betta fish will be happy being alone and will not get bored.

Bettas are tropical fishes. They thrive on temperatures between 24˚C(75˚F) and 30˚C(86˚F). Since you cannot equip a fish bowl with water heater, you should situate it where it's very warm and never put it in an air-conditioned room where the temperature can get exceedingly cold.

An interesting characteristic of the Betta fish is its capability to breathe surface air. It has a breathing organ called "labyrinth" which is somewhat similar to the human lungs. This is an important factor that allows the Betta fish to survive in a bowl without an air pump.

Another interesting trait of the Betta fish is its ability to recognize its "master". Once your Betta gets to know that you are the one feeding him, he'll flutter around happily when you approach. He'll show off his vibrant color, spreading his beautiful fins, and push against the glass of his bowl as if he wants to greet you. Well in fact he is actually begging for food but still, isn't that just lovely? Other fishes don't even know you're alive.

A funny thing about Betta fish is that when it is happy and healthy, it will continually create bubbles on the top of the water. No, the water is not dirty nor soapy! It is just his way of making a 'nest' when he is ready to spawn. It is where the male places the eggs of the female and continue to tend it until the eggs hatch.

Oh, and did I always call the Betta a 'he'? Yes! Those beautiful Betta fishes with long fins and vibrant colors you see in pet shops are males. The females are not as highly colored, and have much shorter fins. You can keep a female Betta too, if you wish. Both have the same requirements for keeping. But never keep a male and a female together in a small bowl. The male tends to be aggressive towards the female after some time. You can keep several females in a large aquarium. But, as I mentioned, keep only a SINGLE Betta in a fish bowl!

The Bowl: How to make it work?

Here you will find some things to consider before buying a fish bowl as well as information on how to setup your fish bowl.

Bowl: The first important thing to consider is the size of the bowl. 1.5 to 2 gallons is best. If you do not have a whole lot of space, you can get at least 1/2 gallon. Anything less than that is not recommended. While it is true that most pet shop owners keep Bettas in very small containers such as plastic cups, this is a very cruel thing to do! We all want a happy, living fish, not just a mere 'survivor' fish! So please, buy him a decent sized bowl! Not only would it provide a wider space for the fish to swim around, it would also hold a larger volume of water to dissipate waste and, therefore, require easier maintenance.

Appropriate Home: It is best to situate the bowl where the temperature is 25˚C(77˚F), but the fish will do just fine in a wider temperature range of 24˚C(75˚F) to 30˚C(86˚F). Since you cannot equip a small bowl with water heater, keep it away from sources of hot or cold air such as direct sunlight, air-conditioners, heater vents, etc.

Decorations. You can have a plant (live or plastic) on the bowl. They do not only make the bowl look nicer but they also provide hiding places for the Betta, which is also a requirement for almost any type of fish. Live plants also reduce somewastes on the water. You should watch for rotting leaves, however. They need to be cut as they will pollute the water. A rock or two can be added as decor, and a broken clay pot (also a hiding place) provides interest to the fish. You can add gravel only after you learn to feed properly.

Equipments: Small, gentle filters are an option to help keep the water crystal clear, reduce waste, and therefore lessen maintenance. There are filters small enough to fit in a bowl, such as corner filters and undergravel filters. If you use one of these filters, it will also require an air pump to operate. Use an air clamp (or air valve) to regulate air flow as Betta fishes do not like too much water movement.

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Water: Once all the decorations and equipments are set-up, you can now add water. Fill bowl with bottled drinking water. TAP WATER IS NOT SAFE FOR FISH! If you are going to use tap water, treat it with chlorine neutralizer. If you live in the US your water probably has chloramine, so use a water conditioner that would neutralize both chlorine and chloramine. It would be best to use a water conditioner that will also eliminate ammonia and heavy metals such as copper and zinc, however this is not a requirement. Add a pinch of aquarium salt or rock salt (not iodized salt), it is good for the fish. Let water stand for at least one hour before adding fish to let it warm up (or cool down) to room temperature. Take note that Betta fishes jump! So fill the bowl only at least two inches from the top. Adding a cover to the bowl is advisable, but make sure that air can freely move in and out of the cover as the Betta fish need to breathe surface air. Having a top on your bowl also reduces water loss due to evaporation and reduces the amount of debris that collects in the water from the environment.

Plan Ahead: Set aside water now for next cleaning. Fill a water bottle with tap water, leaving two inches of space from the top. Add a few drops of water conditioner and store covered for three days. This water will not only be of similar temperature but also chlorine free. If you are using bottled drinking water, it may be stored covered in its original container.

Transferring Your Fish: Now that your fish bowl is properly set-up, you are probably very excited to see your fish swimming in his new home. WAIT! DON'T PUT THE FISH STRAIGHT TO THE BOWL YET! Note that fishes are EXTREMELY sensitive to fluctuating water conditions. The water from the store where your fish came from would have a different pH, hardness, etc. from the water in your home. Putting him in your new water without allowing him to "adjust" could stress him and cause him to get sick and even die! So, take time to do these steps:

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• Get a separate container, such as a big drinking glass and put the fish together with some of the water from the bag. Fill it by only about 1/2 of its capacity as you will be adding some new water later. Let it stand for about 30 minutes or until the temperature of the water becomes similar to that of the water in your bowl. Your fingers are a great tool to compare the temperatures of the water from the store and your new water.
• After the temperature has stabilized, you are ready for the next step. Scoop an equal amount of water from the bowl into the container. There should now be about twice as much water in the container. Let it stand for another fifteen to twenty minutes as the fish adjusts to the sudden change in water condition. You will probably need to cover the container to keep the fish from jumping as the water level is now higher.
• Now your fish has adjusted to your new water and you are ready to transfer him to the bowl. DO NOT POUR THE WATER FROM THE PET SHOP INTO THE BOWL! Using a small fish net, carefully net the fish out of the container and place him gently into the bowl.

 Now relax and enjoy your new Betta fish bowl!