Category: Peace the Betta Fish

Can’t Get a Dog? Why Not Get a Betta Fish?

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In elementary school, I remember desperately wanting a dog of my own. The media makes the impression that cats and dogs are the “ideal” companions. You can snuggle with them, play with them, walk with them, etc. And while it’s true that they can be really good pets, they can also require a lot of maintenance. Besides, there are many other animals that are just as worthy as belonging to a family.

In case your parents haven’t given into your begging to get you a dog–or you’re just a person wanting something that won’t require as much to take care of–I have a great recommendation for the perfect pet for you: a betta fish!

This is Peace, my betta fish! We’ve had him for approximately 4 months, now!

It’s pretty understandable if you are a little hesitant about this decision–some people don’t even consider fish “pets” at all. They pay no attention to their owners except when they have food in their palm, not to mention they can’t give affection. At one point in my life, I thought this, as well. But as an owner of three betta fish, I have come to tell you that these stereotypes are anything but correct when it comes to bettas. In fact, they’re almost like dogs in fish bodies.

Here is some of the information that I know about bettas–based on both my experience and research–to help all possible future owners of this elegant species. Let’s get started!

About Bettas

Betta fish, also named siamese fighting fish, are omnivores who eat insects and larvae in the wild. You can feed them pellets, fish flakes, freeze-dried, and live foods while fasting them up to one day each week. Adult bettas grow up to 3 inches long, and they live from about 2-5 years, although the longest a betta fish has lived in captivity is 9 years.

Bettas need a tank of at least 3-5 gallons in order to have enough space to swim. This applies to all species except the King Betta Fish, which need a tank of at least 6-10 gallons due to their larger size. Bettas must either be housed alone or with a tank-mate of a compatible species–not their own–due to their territorial nature around other bettas and fish with long tails.

Why are Betta Fish Good Pets?

1. Affordability

One common assumption that is true about bettas (like most fish) is that they are fairly affordable to keep happy. All we need to maintain Peace’s tank is bottled purified water, a heater to keep the temperature of his water just above 80 degrees, a filter to keep his water clean, his food pellets, liquid prime to rid the tank of harmful bacteria, and some test strips to make sure the water PH remains at 7. All of our supplies that we bought when we brought Peace home hasn’t run out, proving how affordable and fairly low maintenance Bettas truly are.

2. Bettas are loyal

If I am sitting on the couch or another spot in the living room–where Peace’s tank is located–he will watch me as long as I’m within his eyes reach. Not to mention he gets excited whenever I come up to his tank. Similar to dogs, bettas tend to be very loyal to their owners. The more time you spend with them, the more inseparable you become.

3. You can teach Bettas a multitude of tricks

Within about a week, me and my mother were able to teach Peace how to eat on top of his leaf hammock; now, he already knows where to go once we open the tank to feed him his lunch. Occasionally, we even let a ping pong ball float at the water’s surface as Peace playfully pushes it around with his head. Betta owners have even taught their fish to jump or swim through hoops, jump up to get their food, and more! Betta fish are very intelligent, which allows them to be fast learners as you teach them new tricks.

4. Each Betta has their own personality

Betta fish come in a variety of colors and patterns, which makes them what I believe to be one of the most beautiful fish species in the world. And just like their appearances vary, their personalities do, as well. While my former betta girl, Easter, was a little more calm and reserved, my second betta Joyous was rambunctious and playful. Peace on the other hand, is really sweet. But he’s also really inquisitive, and he had to explore every nook and cranny of his tank before he really got cozy. Every single betta fish takes time to get to know, just like any other pet.

I had so much fun talking about my experiences as a betta owner: each of my bettas were such a blessing to me and my family, so I always enjoy sharing what I’ve learned about them in the process with my followers.

LET’S CHAT~Did any of the facts that I stated in this quick guide surprise you? Which one was it? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

I thank God for another fantabulous day, and I hope it was for you as well! Stay blessed, everyone! ♡

Happy National Pet Day + more pictures of Peace 💖

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The only pets that I’ve ever had in my life are betta fish. The first one was Easter, a female who was pink and orange with a quirky personality. Then Joyus came along–he was extremely spunky, stubborn, but loveable. He was a mix of shades of blue. And then came Peace, who I’ve had for about a month and a half now. P.S. the photo above is the first day that we brought him home.

April 11th is National Pet Day, and despite the fact that I didn’t figure that out until today, I still wanted to post something to celebrate. Besides, pets should be celebrated every day. They’re important members of our families and live in our hearts while (and even after) we get to love and enjoy them each day of their lives.

Although fish are some of the smallest pets that you can buy, and you can’t physically cuddle them like you could a cat or a dog, they are still amazing companions. Peace brings so much joy to our family with his bubbly spirit and love for food LOL. He isn’t afraid to check out new things because of his curious personality. We thank God for him every day.

While I sit at my desk to do my schoolwork or simply watch TV on the couch, it always puts a grin on my face to see Peace zipping along his tank as if there’s no tomorrow. Even when he’s asleep, his colors remain vibrant and reflecting of his personality.

Each day is an opportunity to learn something new about him. For example, Peace is a really fast learner–we feed him on top of this large leaf hammock that attaches to the side of the tank close to the surface of the water. And we were able to train him in no time!

Although we as pet owners cherish our pets all the time, days like this (and National Pet Week, which is in the first week of May) are here to appreciate them and the light that they bring to our families just a little more. So don’t forget to give your pet some extra love, sometimes~trust me, they’ll appreciate it!

So, do you have any pets? If so, which of their personality traits do you like the most? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everybody! Bye for now! 💖

7 Things that I’ve Learned Since I’ve Bought My (Third) Betta Fish

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It’s been a little while since we’ve gotten Peace (about a week or so.) And I must admit that the time has went by so fast! Since I’m able to stay downstairs, where Peace is located, while I do my schoolwork, we have already been able to create a bond. Getting to know him and the different parts of his big (but sweet) personality makes my heart content.

Despite the short time that I’ve had him, I’ve learned a lot about the evolution of betta fish and the type of care that they need to keep them happy. Here are 7 of the lessons that I’ve learned since getting my third betta fish. This post is for current betta fish keepers, potential future betta fish owners, and even those who are just curious to see the care that these small but beautiful fish need.

1. A heater is a must.

Since bettas are tropical fish, it is required to get a heater that will keep your aquarium water evenly distributed with heat. In the wild, bettas are found in places with a temperature between 75-82 degrees. Therefore, when you get a pet betta, it is crucial that you keep the temperature (from minimum to maximum) 75-85 degrees to keep them comfortable in their environment.

2. Healthy bettas are very interactive.

When most people think of teaching a pet tricks, they will likely think of, let’s face it, a dog. While you might not be able to touch your betta as you would a mammal companion, you can still teach them tricks and play with them. Bettas are highly intelligent, therefore, similarly to a goldfish, you can teach them how to swim through hoops, jump to fetch their food from your fingers, and push a ball–either moss or ping-pong–across the top of the tank. When you put the time and love in, bettas can be super interactive, sweet, and loving pets!

3. There is a such thing as overfeeding.

Some bettas have stomachs that are smaller than their eyes, which, if you aren’t aware, are super tiny. This means that while you can feed them anywhere between twice a day to once every other day, you must do so with caution, as bettas can be overfed. This is why some betta owners let their fish fast once a week.

Still, keep in mind that you shouldn’t leave your betta at home or not feed your fish for more than 3 days, and if you ever do this, don’t do so often. While we as fish owners should avoid overfeeding, healthy and happy fish still need to be fed at least 6 days a week.

4. Many fish eat insects.

Bettas are actually known to eat insects, larvae and even other smaller fish, in their natural habitats. While most people tend to feed their betta pellets made from insects, it is a good idea to feed your betta live food such as blood worms or brine shrimp a couple times a week. Keep in mind that this is not required, but rather a couple alternatives if your betta doesn’t like pellets or flakes and/or you want to add a little more variety into his or her diet.

5. Aquarium plants (whether real or synthetic) serve for great places to sleep.

Personally, I see my betta sleeping next to or on top of the plastic plants in his tank quite often. To be honest, it’s probably one of the spots in his 3 gallon aquarium that he loves the most and spends the most time in. Many bettas sleep at night and periodically during the day, so don’t be surprised if you see your betta snoozing on some of the tank plants.

Bettas can sleep in many different ways–some of which may look uncomfortable or strange–but this is a completely a normal behavior. So don’t panic if you see your betta being still or motionless for some periods of time. They’re likely just taking a nap. Just like we need our sleep, healthy bettas take naps and need their rest to remain happy and healthy. As long as you see their little gills moving at a steady pace, their is nothing to worry about.

6. Bettas get to know you through feeding times and frequent interaction.

Here’s me interacting with my fish baby, Peace. He loves to check out my fingers when I gently place my hand on his tank.

Believe it or not, bettas can grow to love their owners, and healthy betta fish should commonly swim up to the tank to see you and interact with you when you pass by. Most fish associate their owners with playtime, feeding time, as well as simple companionship and a source of love. Therefore, make sure that you give your betta attention throughout the day, give them plenty of things in their tank to interact with (without over-doing it or adding decor with ragged edges), and you will likely feel the connection between you and your fish grow.

7. Bettas can beg (even when they’re not hungry).

Okay, so Peace is a really awesome fish (if you can’t already tell) but he, as well as many other fish, are probably more similar to dogs than you might think. How, exactly? Well…they beg. You see, my betta will commonly stay at the top of the tank just before or after feeding time, which is two times daily. Considering that we feed him quite a decent amount, it is obviously that he isn’t hungry, but instead he just loves to eat.

So, if you see your betta begging, don’t get sucked in by their adorableness. In the wild, bettas will eat as much as they can, as they aren’t sure when their next meal will be. Similarly, healthy domesticated bettas will eat as much as you feed them, and may even ask for more, whether they are hungry or not. I know. It’s pretty crazy and hilarious at the same time.

I hope that these fun facts were very interesting and informative for you all. It was super fun to talk about bettas, which are honestly better pets then they might seem.

Question of the Day: Do you have any pet(s)? Is there anything that you’ve learned after you got your pet(s)? Also, which fact in this post surprised you, if any? Please comment down below.

Have a beautiful and blessed day, everyone! Peace in! ✨