In this post, we will answer the question “What is the best way to care for a baby betta fish?”. We will also discuss their tank requirements and feeding information.
What is the best way to care for a baby betta fish?
Until they are 4 to 6 months of age, young bettas should be fed food designed for baby fish, not specifically for betta fish consumption. Baby betta fish should be fed 2 or 3 times a day with small varied meals.
Additionally, they should be kept separate from the other fish and adult Betta fish. They also have some specific tanks requirements to increase the survival rate.
Baby Betta fish care
Like all other animals, babies are more careful and require extra attention. The failure to provide sufficient care might result in stunted growth, swim bladder difficulties, or other developmental disorders, and in extreme cases, death. Importantly, if we decide to take on the responsibility of caring for these adorable young bettas, we must learn how to properly care for them throughout their “childhood” so that they can enjoy a healthy “adulthood.”
Tank requirements
Despite the fact that newborn bettas are little, there is no need to maintain them in a tank smaller than one gallon on a permanent basis. In order to avoid stress and being picked on, baby betta fish should be kept apart from their siblings unless they are maintained calmly with them. An even more innocuous creature, a snail, might be harmful: an inquisitive betta could be exploring around near the snail in hopes of finding food when the snail snaps shut directly on the hapless youngster. Even though they are small, we still recommend 2.5+ gallons tanks because they:
- Have easier water maintenance;
- This type of tank is excellent for growing plants since it is easy to clean
- It is also easier to heat and keep a steady temperature.
Heater
A heater is an absolute must. If you cannot buy an adjustable heater, do not buy a baby betta fish. Baby bettas need to be at temperatures of at least 80 °F, most pre-set warmers do not go up that high. A thermometer, in addition to a heater, will be required to control the temperature and ensure that the heater is functioning properly.
The baby betta fish are unable to live in cold or hot waters, as it is very sensitive to temperature variations. It is recommended that you keep the tank water temperature near to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cooler tanks can make the baby betta fish sick, such as lack of appetite and skin illnesses. If your young betta fish is very small, you might want to consider putting their aquarium in another, larger plastic container filled with water and using the heater simply to heat the water from the exterior of the container.
Water care and changes
Make sure you get a good quality conditioner. Every 2-3 days, a 75-100 percent water change is required, with a 75-100 percent change being ideal. Baby betta fish secrete a hormone that suppresses the growth of bacteria that you do not want in your aquarium, which is why frequent water changes are so vital. Always remove any uneaten food or garbage from the area.
To change the water of your baby betta fish tanks you will need to add some of the old water in a container and net them out of the tank to the container. It is very important to match the new water temperature with the old one. Otherwise, your baby betta fish could shock and die.
It is recommended to prepare the external container around 24 hours prior to the water change. Then, you will have plenty of time to set the proper temperature and other parameters.
Filter
It is crucial to have a sponge filter. They are much softer than regular filters, even after they have been messed up. Simply ensure that your air pump is operating at its lowest possible setting while still performing its functions. Make certain that the sponge filters are kept clean.
Other types of filters may not be appropriate for a baby betta fish. Yet, make sure that any filter you have does have a gentle constant flow, as all betta fish may be whooshed around or hurt due to a strong-current filter.
Food
Live meals are preferable, however if you are unable to obtain live foods. The following items are available:
- Brine shrimp
- Young Daphnia
- Bloodworms (not lyophilized)
Baby bettas fish should be fed 2 or 3 times a day, and you should always clean up any uneaten food. Just remember to take into consideration how much their stomach can withstand by looking at them.
As they age, you can slowly transition to high protein micro pellets and later to full-sized pellets. When making the switch to pellets, attempt to feed them once every three days as part of your food plan (breakfast or dinner). As they become more receptive to pellets, decrease the number of days between pellet feeds. Make the transition slowly, they may not accept the new granulated food.
Stress
Betta fry are prone to being anxious at any time. Running water changes is extremely difficult in baby betta fish tanks. Thus, as you need to do many water changes to maintain the cycle, you should conduct it carefully. Otherwise, you may kill the baby betta due to stress.
Is it possible to put another fish with baby Betta fish?
After a baby betta is born, it is recommended that it be kept in a separate tank that can hold at least a gallon of dechlorinated water so that the fish may grow up in peace. The newborn betta fish should be kept separate from the rest of the aquarium residents until it reaches adulthood in order to protect it from any possible harm caused by other aquarium occupants. Furthermore, many betta fish are aggressive, and even young Betta fish can exhibit aggressive behavior toward other fish in the aquarium. Thus, to avoid a high stress level, they should be kept alone.
Conclusion
In this post, we answered the question “What is the best way to care for a baby betta fish?”. We also discussed their tank requirements and feeding information.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know in the comments section below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): What is the best way to care for a baby betta fish?
Is it difficult to take care of a newborn betta fish while it is young?
It’s true that newborn Betta fish demand more care and attention than adult Betta fish. They have specific requirements regarding tank conditions and feeding time.
When should I feed a young betta fish and how often?
Baby bettas should be fed twice or three times a day, in little portions. Their food items should include some worms, daphnias, and other natural items. After they begin to develop, you can make the transition to flakes and pellets.
Do baby bettas need a heater?
Yes, it is important to keep the water temperature in baby betta fish tanks stable and around 80 °F. It is also important to have an additional thermometer to monitor the water temperature in the parts further from the heater.
What size tank is required for a newborn betta?
Baby betta fish do not require too much space. However, it is important to keep in mind that tanks with at least 5-gallons of space are more stable regarding water parameters and would provide plenty of space for your baby betta fish to grow healthily with no stressful situations due to limited space.
How long can baby bettas live together?
Baby betta fish can only stick together until the 8th or 9th week old. This is because they are prone to begin to fight for territory. This is the time of year when they begin to acquire more bright colors and longer fins on their bodies.
Do baby bettas change colour?
Yes, baby betta fish will change colouration during their development. Around the 8th or 9th week of life, their colors will get more vibrant and vibrant as they grow older.
References
Baby Betta care. http://www.lovelybettas.com/baby-betta-care
Barrington, K. How to Raise Baby Bettas. https://pets.thenest.com/raise-baby-bettas-4402.html
Baby Betta Fish Care. 2020 https://bettafishrescue.org/baby-betta-fish-care/
