With the increasing demand for betta fish as a pet, more and more people want to know how long can they live. What is betta fish lifespan? If you take care of your betta fish, it will live a long and healthy life. On average, a betta fish lives about three years.
Keeping a betta fish healthy is the key to its long and healthy life. If all the correct tank parameters are met, your betta fish lifespan could increase up to 5 years. Water quality, tank size, dietary requirements, tank mates, breeding habits are also necessary for a betta fish.
Females tend to live a little longer than male betta fish. Moreover, female betta fish are sold a little young, so you will probably have your betta around for a longer time if it’s a female. However, if it’s male they are sold after they are a year or so. Hence, you might have them around for a short time. In this article, we will provide the specifics for betta fish lifespan.
About Betta Fish:
Another name given to betta fish is Siamese fighting fish. It is because of their aggressive nature they are given such a name. Betta fish are tropical, territorial, and aggressive. They are born to fight and attack. Hence it is always advisable to avoid keeping any tank mates with betta fish. Keeping tank mates can either reduce the lifespan of betta fish or the other.
They are native to South-East Asia and Thailand. Although they are naturally available in these regions, some keepers and breeders breed them to reproduce colorful betta. Betta fish are available in so many colors. For instance, blue betta fish, black betta fish, emerald betta fish, or Betta smaragdina. Some of them are multi-colored too. For example, betta koi is somewhat similar to a koi carp.
They are low maintenance and perfect for beginners. Their beautiful and eccentric color makes them an ideal member of a tank, and this is why they are considered a global aquarium pet for all. Above all, they are naturally built to withstand stagnant water, making them an even perfect fit for your tank.
Betta fish are generally found in shallow and stagnant waters, feeding on mosquito and insect larvae. Hence, they are carnivores when it comes to feeding. Their predatory nature makes them aggressive and attacking in nature. That is why it is considered prudent to pet them alone.
They are characterized by a special set of organs because they breathe air. The labyrinth organs help the betta fish breathe in shallow waters. This naturally implies that they have a tolerance for both low oxygen content and poor water conditions. What is more than a pet owner needs? A beautiful, colorful, vibrant fish with the ability to withstand any water parameters.
Nevertheless, the poor water quality is the reason why betta fish lifespan is cut short in the wild. A betta fish does not survive for long in the ocean because of the unhealthy water conditions. With the optimum habitat, a betta fish can live long. Hence, we suggest never compromising with tank parameters for betta fish.
How To Increase A Betta Fish Lifespan?
For a healthy and long life of a betta fish, you must consider the following tank conditions. Even though they are low maintenance, it suggests providing a decent environment for this beautiful fish.
Tank Size:
Firstly one should rule out any possibility of keeping a betta fish in a tank contingent on its size. Betta fish is not suited for a bowl. It needs a minimum of a 5-gallon tank to survive. If you are introducing a tank mate, we recommend using a 10-gallon tank.
This is because betta fish are highly territorial. If they see another tank member in their territory, it might either stress it out, or it will end up attacking its mate. Stress can cut short its life span significantly. Above all, for your betta to get proper air, purchase a long length-wise tank and not height because they reside in shallow water naturally.
Water Conditions:
For a long betta fish lifespan, they demand a pH balance of 5.5-7.0 and a temperature of the water of 70-84 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because they live in a warm climate. Although betta fish are natively built to survive temperature changes, we strongly advise against doing so. Temperature variations cause them to get stressed and shed their coloration. It will also shorten the betta fish lifespan.
Even though they are inherently resistant to filthy water, the tank must be properly filtered. In addition, a competent heater should be provided to keep the temperature under control. One can use a sponge filter for betta fish. Betta fish lifespan might increase because of the soft and gentle current of the sponge filters.
Dietary Needs:
Betta fish are predatory creatures. Hence, feeding it just flakes, pellets, and fish food will not be a good variable for betta fish lifespan. It requires a protein-filled diet with live worms particularly.
Daphnia, betta flakes, and pellets can be fed to them. Bloodworms and shrimp are essential for koi betta. They detect insects, mosquitoes, flies, and other flying creatures in the wild. Keep in mind that you should not overfeed them. They are voracious eaters. Feed them small amounts of food twice a day, never more.
Tank Requirements:
The objective is to replicate the natural habitat of a betta. The closer it is to their natural habitat, the better the betta fish lifespan. Therefore, betta fish need to be enthusiastic and active in the tank.
The best way to do this is to install as many live plants and shrubs as you can. Along with that, make sure you have toys like rings, balls, floating logs, bubbles generator in the tank. They will play, hide, sleep within these plants and toys, making them happy.
FAQs on Betta Fish Lifespan
What is betta fish lifespan in Aquarium Vs. Bowl?
Ideally, a betta is kept in a 5-10 gallon tank. If you are not keeping them in a tank due to stress and less space to swim, betta fish lifespan will reduce to half or less, one year or so.
How long can a betta fish live without food?
Without food, betta fish can live up to 2 weeks. Nevertheless, it is not at all suggestive to do so.
What kills a betta fish?
The primary reason that kills a betta fish is stress. Any change in tank conditions or fluctuations in temperature could stress it out and reduce betta fish lifespan.
What is betta fish’s lifespan without oxygen?
It can live up to two days without oxygen. Nevertheless, it changes contingent on other tank parameters as well.
What does a dying betta fish look like?
The most unambiguous indication of a dying betta is discoloration. You might also notice spots on its body. Besides, swimming in unusual patterns could also indicate a sick betta.
Final Thoughts:
Betta fish lifespan is a major concern for most betta fish owners. But you need not worry about your fish’s lifespan if you are meeting all the required tank conditions for a betta. If your betta is healthy and nothing is stressing it out, you can enjoy the company of your betta fish for the next two to three years.
