How Long Do Betta Fish Live?
2-3 years. That is the short, definitive answer that is generally accepted among the Betta care-taking community. That answer, though, is rather silly. Well, that’s not exactly a question that can have a definite answer. The answer certainly depends on the living conditions, attention and care a Betta fish receives. A better question would be…
What’s a typical Betta fish life span if properly cared for?
expect something more along the lines of a 3-4 year lifespan
If we were to do everything right in maintaining proper care for a Betta fish in captivity, and no random acts of God befell our fluttering and feisty finned friend, it wouldn’t be a stretch of the imagination to say that we could see her make her 10th birthday party.
However, don’t lose heart if your Betta fish misses that milestone. Remember that the above statement had to do with a perfectly Divine environment and naturally born perfect fishy DNA. In fact, if you are able to see your fishy make it to that widely accepted 2 year mark, by all accounts you did a fantastic job!
In all typical, well cared for scenarios, you should expect something more along the lines of a 3-4 year lifespan. In absolutely perfect situations, an age range of 4-6 years can be achieved. This age range factors in the little things like un-godlike fishy DNA and the like. This betta fish life span is one that seasoned betta fish hobbiests try to shoot for. Actually, any owner that loves his or her betta fishy really tries to shoot for the moon when it comes to prolonging the life span of their betta fish! But, you knew that because you love your betta fishy, right? The 4 to 6 year betta fish life span doesn’t factor in cats. If you have cats, you should consider upping your Betta fish life insurance…
You know, there are a few basic tricks to increase a betta fish life span. So then, maybe a good next question would be along the lines of…
Increase a Betta Fish Life Span? Show Me!
You are already right on your way to taking proper care of Betta fish by showing an interest in learning about them. If you are just starting out on this Betta fish adventure, you should take a look at the basic Betta fish guide here. After giving that a quick go over, and preferably printing it out for later reference, take a look around the rest of this website. A considerable amount of effort has been put into providing you with the best “how-to” information on the proper care of your Betta fishy!
In general though, to keep your Betta fish happy and healthy you need to provide:
They need that beautiful, tropical 78-80 degree weather in their water world!
- An aquarium that has plenty of room. You can get away with a warm and clean 1 gallon fishbowl, but you don’t want to just “get away” keeping your fish alive. 2.5+ gallons per Betta is preferred!
- Proper nutrition. Betta fish are meat eaters! That is, they are carnivorous in nature. In the wild they feed on brine shrimp and small worms. However, in the wild their life expectancy is not very long. Sticking with the right Betta specific pellets that you can find in a pet store is more than adequate. These Betta specific labeled fish foods have a higher protein content than everyday, standard fish flakes.
- Temperature plays a big role. These fish are tropical. They need that beautiful, tropical 78-80 degree weather in their water world! Things like aquarium heaters are to be looked into by the Betta hobbyist.
- Water condition. While Bettas are relatively robust fish compared to some other types, they still need clean and non-toxic water to thrive in. Ammonia is a leading cause of unhealthy Betta fish.
- Lighting is also important. Betta fish are sensitive to lighting and need the right kind to keep them healthy and colorful.
Caring For Betta Fish Is Easy And Enjoyable If You Are Observant.
Above all else, the number one trick to keeping a Betta living to see old age would be… honest attention to your fishy’s needs. You will have fun and learn quickly if you are observant of your Betta. Keep reading and learning on places like this website while carefully watching your fishy friend. Bettas make it somewhat obvious if the are in need of something.
As was mentioned before, take a look around this site. You will be sure to find all (if not more) of the specific information you need to keep your Betta fishy happy and healthy!
