Keeping a betta in a planted tank

A betta in a bare bowl survives. A betta in a heated, filtered, planted tank thrives: it colours up, builds bubble nests and explores. The difference costs very little.

The setup

• 5 gallons or more. Smaller water swings in temperature and quality too quickly.
• A heater. Bettas are tropical fish; keep them at 78–80 °F. Room temperature is too cold in most homes.
• A gentle filter. Long fins make strong currents exhausting. A sponge filter or a baffled hang-on-back is ideal.
• A lid. Bettas jump, and they breathe air from the surface, so leave a small gap of still air under it.

Plants bettas love

• Broad leaves near the surface to rest on: anubias nana tied high on wood.
• Floating plants for shade and nest anchors: frogbit or red root floaters.
• Easy, soft cover: java fern, crypts and java moss.

Tank mates

Every betta is different. Many ignore snails, and a nerite or mystery snail is the safest companion. In 10 gallons or more, some bettas live peacefully with pygmy corydoras or ember tetras.

Shrimp are a gamble: some bettas ignore them, others hunt every one. Have a plan B tank if you try it.

Feeding

A few betta pellets once or twice a day, with frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp as a treat. Overfeeding is the most common problem: a betta's stomach is about the size of its eye.

General hobby guidance, not veterinary or engineering advice. Sources disagree on specifics, so watch your own tank.