Oh boy this needs work. The poor fish needs a few things. First thing they need is a heater. the water needs to be 80 degrees, betas are tropical fish and need tropical temperatures. you need to find a proper heater that will heat the size of the tank properly. I use something like This in my tank.
Next thing they need is a 50% water change today and probably another one two days from now, then move to 20% water changes every two days after that until the water is clear. you can go to your nearest super store and get the gallon jugs of reverse osmosis water for cheep.
And finally a hang on filter. something big enough appropriate for the size of the aquarium. I like Fluval filters but there are others out there that are nice.
FREESEA 50W Mini Aquarium Heater Fish Tank Submersible Heater with LED Temperature Display https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075PSPCNY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_n1RyaP7gij69A
I love this one, plus you’ll be able to use the same one in your new tank if its below 10 gallons! If not, you’ll have to order one for the big tank and one for the temp tank :(
I think I was looking at the same heater on Amazon. I though about getting it for my betta as well but a few of the reviewers mentioned how their betta got stuck in the back and cooked themselves.
How long have you had this heater? Have you used it with other bettas?
The tank is too cold. That’s why your betta is staying near the heater. This is my personal favorite heater that I use for all of my 5 bettas:
FREESEA Aquarium Heater Fish Tank Submersible Heater (50W/75W/100W) with LED Temperature Display https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075PSPCNY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ZX5C7R4MJK0SFR8N7NVZ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I have this on my 6 gallon: FREESEA Small Aquarium Betta... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075PSPCNY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share It is over a year old. A bit larger than I wanted, but gets the job done.
While five gallons is the minimum for a betta fish, I would highly recommend you start with a 10 or a 20 gallon. The bigger the better, but I understand that not everyone has room for a 20 gallon. This is because maintaining a bigger aquarium is actually way easier for beginners because there are less parameter fluctuations. 20 gallons is a happy starting point, especially if you’re looking to get fish tank mates (though i will tell you having a solitary betta is way easier).
You can use really any filter you want, but I really love sponge filters because of their ease of set up and how low flow they are. They’re wonderful mechanical and biological filtration, but they can be noisy. If you don’t want that, an HOB with an adjustable flow, a sponge over the intake, and more media than just the cartridges (because you have to remove those to medicate, you’ll crash your cycle otherwise). You’ll need a filter and a thermometer, or you can get this one (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075PSPCNY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_8Z8SKtlyAeZbX) thats both. You’ll need silk or live plants, plenty of decor, and substrate to help beneficial bacteria grow. It also looks better.
Run a cheap pantyhose over all decor. If it rips, it will rip your bettas fins.
If you have a good LFS, I would highly recommend getting a betta from them over petsmart. You can find good lfs by asking if they quarantine, observing their fish’s health, and seeing whether or not they keep their bettas in cups. If its not an option, then pet store is okay. You’re not evil for choosing a betta from there, but it will safe you a lot of worry from curing fin rot (which almost all chain bettas have from their cups) as soon as you get the betta.
You’re also not evil for getting a long finned variety over a short fin, but do look into the difference in their activity and how they swim. I love long fins, they’re beautiful, but my boy is exhausted and tears his own fins because they’re so heavy. A short fin can be lazy too, as they have their own personalities, but I’d recommend them over a long fin if you want a really active fish. My guy tries to be active and he loves to explore but he gets so tired! (https://www.reddit.com/r/bettafish/comments/wu0wa3/the_difference_between_longfinned_and_shortfinned/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
Make sure to cycle your tank!!!! https://fishlab.com/how-to-cycle-aquarium/
While five gallons is the minimum for a betta fish, I would highly recommend you start with a 10 or a 20 gallon. The bigger the better, but I understand that not everyone has room for a 20 gallon. This is because maintaining a bigger aquarium is actually way easier for beginners because there are less parameter fluctuations. 20 gallons is a happy starting point, especially if you’re looking to get fish tank mates (though i will tell you having a solitary betta is way easier).
You can use really any filter you want, but I really love sponge filters because of their ease of set up and how low flow they are. They’re wonderful mechanical and biological filtration, but they can be noisy. If you don’t want that, an HOB with an adjustable flow, a sponge over the intake, and more media than just the cartridges (because you have to remove those to medicate, you’ll crash your cycle otherwise). You’ll need a filter and a thermometer, or you can get this one (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075PSPCNY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_8Z8SKtlyAeZbX) thats both. You’ll need silk or live plants, plenty of decor, and substrate to help beneficial bacteria grow. It also looks better.
Run a cheap pantyhose over all decor. If it rips, it will rip your bettas fins.
If you have a good LFS, I would highly recommend getting a betta from them over petsmart. You can find good lfs by asking if they quarantine, observing their fish’s health, and seeing whether or not they keep their bettas in cups. If its not an option, then pet store is okay. You’re not evil for choosing a betta from there, but it will safe you a lot of worry from curing fin rot (which almost all chain bettas have from their cups) as soon as you get the betta.
You’re also not evil for getting a long finned variety over a short fin, but do look into the difference in their activity and how they swim. I love long fins, they’re beautiful, but my boy is exhausted and tears his own fins because they’re so heavy. A short fin can be lazy too, as they have their own personalities, but I’d recommend them over a long fin if you want a really active fish. My guy tries to be active and he loves to explore but he gets so tired! (https://www.reddit.com/r/bettafish/comments/wu0wa3/the_difference_between_longfinned_and_shortfinned/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
Make sure to cycle your tank!!!! https://fishlab.com/how-to-cycle-aquarium/
As for plants, Get real hardy ones like java fern, floaters like amazon frogbit and red rooters, and hornwort is nice. All of the latter suck stuff up like crazy and don’t need nutrient rich substrate. Don’t plant your java fern into the substrate, weigh or glue it down. Hornwort will float also but you can plant it and it wont die, just wont stay without a lot of substrate or a weight.
While five gallons is the minimum for a betta fish, I would highly recommend you start with a 10 or a 20 gallon. The bigger the better, but I understand that not everyone has room for a 20 gallon. This is because maintaining a bigger aquarium is actually way easier for beginners because there are less parameter fluctuations. 20 gallons is a happy starting point, especially if you’re looking to get fish tank mates (though i will tell you having a solitary betta is way easier).
You can use really any filter you want, but I really love sponge filters because of their ease of set up and how low flow they are. They’re wonderful mechanical and biological filtration, but they can be noisy. If you don’t want that, an HOB with an adjustable flow, a sponge over the intake, and more media than just the cartridges (because you have to remove those to medicate, you’ll crash your cycle otherwise). You’ll need a filter and a thermometer, or you can get this one (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075PSPCNY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_8Z8SKtlyAeZbX) thats both. You’ll need silk or live plants, plenty of decor, and substrate to help beneficial bacteria grow. It also looks better.
Run a cheap pantyhose over all decor. If it rips, it will rip your bettas fins.
If you have a good LFS, I would highly recommend getting a betta from them over petsmart. You can find good lfs by asking if they quarantine, observing their fish’s health, and seeing whether or not they keep their bettas in cups. If its not an option, then pet store is okay. You’re not evil for choosing a betta from there, but it will safe you a lot of worry from curing fin rot (which almost all chain bettas have from their cups) as soon as you get the betta.
You’re also not evil for getting a long finned variety over a short fin, but do look into the difference in their activity and how they swim. I love long fins, they’re beautiful, but my boy is exhausted and tears his own fins because they’re so heavy. A short fin can be lazy too, as they have their own personalities, but I’d recommend them over a long fin if you want a really active fish. My guy tries to be active and he loves to explore but he gets so tired! (https://www.reddit.com/r/bettafish/comments/wu0wa3/the_difference_between_longfinned_and_shortfinned/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
i have bought this[this heater](www.amazon.com/dp/B075PSPCNY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_KR2S4V6B38NMDQ654S49?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1)
This is (imo) the best heater for up to 10 gal. I have 5 of them and they work perfectly. It’s only $18.99 too.FREESEA Heater
This is (imo) the best heater for up to 10 gal. I have 5 of them and they work perfectly. It’s only $18.99 aswell.FREESEA Heater
Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
---|---|---|---|
FREESEA Aquarium Heater Fish Tank Submersible Hea… | $18.98 | $18.98 | 4.3/5.0 |
Hygger 14W Full Spectrum Aquarium Light with Alum… | $26.98 | $26.98 | 4.5/5.0 |
^Item Info | Bot Info | Trigger
5 gallon is the minimum requirements for a Betta. But bigger is better.
This set up is about $20 more than the kits but has pretty decent equipment that you won't likely have to replace in a few months. Imo the kits aren't great because of quick equipment failure or cheap equipment you'll end up wanting to replace. This is assuming you live in the US.
aquaclear 20 filter - I highly recommend this filter. It has an adjustable flow rate which is really great for Bettas as most filters have to much flow for them.
the Petco kit is $86.99 right now (normally $89.99 so not really on sale imo). The above setup is about $104. A 5 gallon kit is about $75 and doesn't have everything needed.
PetSmart has a much better deal right now. Their 5 gallon kit is $35.99. you'll still need a heater though. And the filter isn't my favorite but if you baffle it then it'll work well. I'd definitely ditch the packet it comes filled with carbon and put a sponge in there instead. The 10 gallon is $47.99 and comes with heater and same filter.
Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
---|---|---|---|
FREESEA Aquarium Heater Fish Tank Submersible Hea… | $18.98 | $18.98 | 4.3/5.0 |
Hygger 14W Full Spectrum Aquarium Light with Alum… | $26.98 | $26.98 | 4.5/5.0 |
^Item Info | Bot Info | Trigger
Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
---|---|---|---|
FREESEA Aquarium Heater Fish Tank Submersible Hea… | $18.98 | $18.98 | 4.3/5.0 |
Hygger 14W Full Spectrum Aquarium Light with Alum… | $26.98 | $26.98 | 4.5/5.0 |
^Item Info | Bot Info | Trigger
aquaclear 20 filter - I highly recommend this filter. It has an adjustable flow rate which is really great for Bettas as most filters have to much flow for them.
heater the 50 watt or 75 watt version is fine for a 10 gallon but for a 20 gallon get the 100w one.
light this light was originally linked for a 10 gallon but they have a 30-38 inch option.
glass lid - this is for a 10 gallon but I'm sure there's a 20 long version out there.
the Petco kit is $86.99 right now (normally $89.99 so not really on sale imo). The above setup is about $104 (for a 10 gallon setup)
PetSmart has a much better deal right now. The filter isn't my favorite but if you baffle it then it'll work well. I'd definitely ditch the packet it comes filled with carbon and put a sponge in there instead. The 10 gallon is $47.99 and comes with heater and same filter.
Bigger is better imo for tanks. Bettas use more horizontal swim space than vertical so I agree a 20 long is better than a 20. However a 10 gallon is perfectly fine home for a Betta. The thing with tank mates is it's a crap shoot. You never know how a Betta will do until it's too late. Some are definitely more aggressive than others. I'd definitely suggest getting to know your Betta first and getting good at all the aquarium stuff before deciding on if you can do tank mates like shrimp or snails.
This set up is about $20 more than the kits but has pretty decent equipment that you won't likely have to replace in a few months. This is assuming you live in the US.
aquaclear 20 filter - I highly recommend this filter. It has an adjustable flow rate which is really great for Bettas as most filters have to much flow for them.
Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
---|---|---|---|
FREESEA Aquarium Heater Fish Tank Submersible Hea… | $18.98 | $18.98 | 4.3/5.0 |
Hygger 14W Full Spectrum Aquarium Light with Alum… | $26.98 | $26.98 | 4.5/5.0 |
^Item Info | Bot Info | Trigger
Some kits do but not all kits. They don't often do kits for a 5 gallon tank. Petco has one but it doesn't have a heater and the lights are blue because it's marketed for glofish. Also their 5 gallon kit is only about $12ish cheaper so I'd just get a 10 gallon at that point. Bigger is always better in aquariums.
In general you'll do better getting everything individually in my experience as the kits often come with cheap crap equipment.
This set up is about $20 more than I he kit but are pretty decent equipment that you won't likely have to replace in a few months. 10 gallon tank aquaclear 20 filter heater light glass lid
Have been usingthis no problem.
You mentioned Amazon? Here’s one where there have been horror stories, but I have had no personal issues: FREESEA Aquarium Heater. I like how that one’s adjustable and also shows the temperature! I have a thermometer just in case, but no issues with that or fish getting stuck so far.
If you live by a PetCo, this was my first heater: Aqueon Preset Aquarium Heater (50w). Again, horror stories, but none from my personal experience. I’d prefer the Freesea one, but if you’re looking for something a bit more concealable that may not be the first choice.
As those two are the only ones I’ve had personal experience with, I can’t really recommend any others :/ Happy hunting! Hope these help!
I have one very similar to this one and I like it a lot.
To my knowledge they never had one to begin with, I got it off amazon here
Which plastic are you referring to?
I have this one: FREESEA Small Aquarium Betta Submersible Heater with LED Temperature Display (50-300Watt) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075PSPCNY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_O4RIDbXQ6WMQ4 in my fry tank. It's adjustable and works well.