A few months back I bought my first Betta fish. As I looked through various forums and resources I found it hard to find one agreed upon answer as to what size tank I should house my new fish in. I've seen them in anything from a vase to a ten gallon tank, so I was a little frustrated with the lack of consensus. After a lot of research I wanted to share my findings to help other new Betta owners avoid the headache I experienced when looking for an answer!

Tank Size Misconception

You'll find a lot out there about Bettas being fine in little tiny tanks and other people saying that they need a large tank to thrive. So what's the truth? Get your Betta the largest tank you can afford and easily manage. Those saying your Betta is fine in a vase or tiny tank justify it by saying Bettas naturally live in warmer regions of Asia in rice paddies. These people may be confused if they envision rice paddies as little puddles. Realistically rice paddies are often waterlogged for miles, meaning a wild Betta fish would be used to one huge puddle.

"Do you suggest a certain size?"

When buying my fish at the pet store I realized that the 1 gallon "Betta Starter Tank" was $10.99, and the ten gallon tank was $14.99. That's weird, right? Turns out ten gallons is the standard size and most companies produce them in bulk. The fact is, extra five dollars was nothing for me when I could have ten times the amount of space for my fish. I would suggest nothing less than five gallons, this way your fish has plenty of room to swim and explore.

A somewhat more minor consideration is how boring or exciting you want your tank to be. You can't fit much for your fish in a 1 gallon vase, and no one wants to look at a plain bowl with a sad looking fish in it. A larger tank will help to ensure the longevity and happiness of your fish and hopefully improve your overall betta experience as well.

With any luck, you've gained something from this piece and will be able to make an informed decision when it comes to buying your new pet a home. Good luck to you and your new or soon-to-be companion!