TANK TIPS

So, how does one care for a betta?

Czarina says that what one might find on Google isn’t always right. “They will teach you about a bigger tank with a minimum of five gallons, hiding places, and plastic plants -- not even real ones -- and a filtration and heater system. The plastic plants are good for decorative purposes and for the heater. But we are in a tropical country, so we do not need a heater for adult bettas.

“Just a simple set up with just a 4x6x8-inch tank that is almost one gallon [should suffice],” she says. “Make sure to change the water once a week.”

If you happen to have more than one betta, Czarina says that “females may live together in a community.” One can’t say the same for the male ones, but again, not all bettas have the same personality. Discretion dictates if they can be together in a single tank or not. Just remember to keep the males separate from the females unless it’s time to breed.