In this blog, we’re going to talk in detail about the young betta fish. This blog will provide tips on how to care for your young betta fish.
Overview
In this blog
- How can you tell if a betta is young?
- Tank size of a young betta fish
- Tankmates of a young betta fish
- Diet of a young betta fish
- Water parameters in young betta fish tank
- Water changes in young betta fish tank
- Tank cleaning in young betta fish tank
- Filters in a young betta tank
- Is it easier to train a young betta fish?
- Summary
- Frequently asked questions
How can you tell if a betta is young?
Betta fish are known for their vibrant colors and varieties. The newly hatched betta fish are not colorful, but after a few weeks, their colors become more vivid. A young fish is more active than an older or adult fish.
At pet shops, bettas from three months old to one year old are usually sold. To tell the difference between a young betta fish and an older one is to see how vibrant they are.
Tank size of a young betta fish
The tank size of a betta fish keeps changing until they reach maturity. You can start with a small tank size of two gallons or 2.5 gallons then ultimately shift them to a five gallons tank when they reach maturity, which usually happens in six months.
Never keep young betta fish in a tank smaller than two gallons or small compact bowls. Young bettas are more active and they like to swim more, so make sure each young betta is getting more swimming and hiding space in the tank.
Tankmates of a young betta fish
Young bettas can live with each other if they are raised together since they are born but once they attain maturity or when they are four weeks old they will become aggressive and will start to fight with other bettas for space and food.
Young bettas should not be kept with other fish species, it would be best to not add tank mates in young bettas tanks. You can add them to a community tank after six months.
Initial six months are crucial to young bettas’ growth and development, so it would be better to not house them with tank mates for the first six months.
Well, bettas are known for their aggressive and fighting tendencies and it is said that they should never be kept with tank mates or other betta fish. House young and old bettas in solitary tanks to avoid fights.
Diet of a young betta fish
The diet of a young betta fish differs from that of a mature betta fish. You can start feeding your fish with their favorite tubifex food then gradually switch to betta-specific pellets.
Feeding your fish pellets when they are four or five weeks old will make it easier to feed them pellets as they get older. Betta fish won’t eat pellets if they are not accustomed to them as juveniles.
Never overfeed or underfeed your young betta fish as it can cause various issues like:
- Constipation
- Swim bladder disease
- Overweight young betta fish
- Underweight young betta fish
- Lethargy
- Swimming abnormalities
Water parameters in young betta fish tank
Water temperature will be the same as adult betta fish i.e 76-80F, anything above or below will be harmful to young betta fish too. A heater and thermometer are required to maintain warm conditions in the young betta fish tank too.
Water pH should be between 7-7.2, and it should be checked with a suitable pH testing kit to maintain the same.
Using a suitable water testing kit, test the water once every day to know the levels of ammonia and other tank pollutants.
- Temperature – 76-80F
- pH- 7-7.2
- Organic pollutants should be low in the tank
- Water testing kits
- Heater
- Thermometer
Water changes in young betta fish tank
To avoid water shock or shock due to temperature fluctuations, avoid performing sudden and large water changes in young betta fish tanks. Young betta fish can die after such sudden fluctuations in water chemistry and temperature fluctuation.
You can perform small water changes in young bettas tanks to avoid such mishaps due to changes in water chemistry and temperature difference. Caring for a young betta fish is way more tricky than an adult one, because if you don’t give the right amount of care to your young betta fish, they may die early due to several factors.
Tank cleaning in young betta fish tank
It is essential to do tank cleaning every day in a young betta fish tank like cleaning the live and fake plants, removing the uneaten or leftovers every day using the gravel siphon without disturbing the useful bacteria to avoid ammonia spikes in their tank.
Clean all the tank accessories to avoid bad bacteria. A tank can have both good and bad bacteria. It is important to know that beneficial bacteria will keep the tank healthy and bad bacteria will cause infections in young betta fish.
Make sure you are doing everything with proper planning to avoid mishaps. Young bettas are delicate and it is your duty as a betta owner to perform things responsibly without hurting your fish.
Filters in young betta tank
Filters are essential in maintaining a tank environment, as it eliminates toxic substances from the tank and makes it better for betta fish to breathe and thrive.
If you are planning to install a filter in a young betta fish tank, then you can think of using filters that don’t suck in your betta fish, don’t make noise, and do not produce high currents in the tank.
Young betta fish will get scared if you install filters that make noise and have high currents. They might even get trapped in such filters, so to avoid this get a filter that is less noisy and doesn’t hurt your young betta fish.
If you are planning to perform water changes in young betta fish tanks frequently then filters are not required in their tank.
Is it easier to train a young betta fish?
Yes, the first six months are a critical period or learning period for any organism. Anything can be learned easily in the first six months. If you are currently handling a baby betta fish or a young betta fish then it is the right time to train them in various areas:
Betta fish are naturally carnivorous and prefer to take lots of proteins in their diet, but it would be easier to train your young betta fish in their first six months to have a variety of food like pellets, plant-based food, and various other food sources, as an alternative to live food.
Betta fish get bored easily in that small controlled environment and spend their major time either sleeping or hiding. To avoid this behavior later you can train your young betta fish with pom-pom balls to relieve their boredom and give mental stimulation.
You can also train your young betta fish by dropping live food in the aquarium for it to chase to bring out their natural hunting skills. It is also a great mental stimulation for your betta fish.
Young betta fish can also be trained to listen to music, they might enjoy listening to music too.
If you can just make your betta fish follow your finger every day, if they like you they will actively follow your fingers and will also come near the tank to welcome you by flaring their gills.
There are various other things you can try with your young betta fish, as they are very intelligent, curious creatures and learn things quickly. If you interact with your betta fish more, I am sure your betta fish will learn your sign languages too and will respond too.
Summary
Young betta fish look more vibrant than mature betta fish. Caring for a young betta fish is a bit tough but not impossible.
Feed young betta fish with high-quality pellets and avoid skipping their meals. Skipping their meals can make them weak.
Make sure you are choosing filters wisely for your betta fish. I have already mentioned it in the previous section.
Young bettas are easily trainable, so try training your betta fish at this critical age.
Frequently asked questions
Is it essential to feed pellets to betta fish when they are young?
Yes, it is important to train a betta fish to have pellets when they are young.
Do young betta fish like power filters in their tank?
No, power filters are not safe for young betta fish.
Can you add tank mates in young betta fish tanks?
No, avoid adding tank mates in young betta fish tanks.
Can you house young betta fish in a gallon tank?
No, don’t keep young bettas in tanks less than 2.5 gallons.
Do young betta fish swim effortlessly?
Yes, a young betta fish can swim effortlessly. They are very active when they are young and if they eat high-quality food and three meals a day they will look more vibrant, active and swim freely by flaunting their cute pectoral fins.
Can you keep two young male betta fish together?
No, never house two young male bettas together. They will end up fighting each other to death.
