The key steps to help betta fish adapt to a new environment include setting up a suitable fish tank environment, carrying out a gentle transition, providing shelters, adjusting the water quality, and maintaining a quiet environment for them.
Setting up the Fish Tank Environment
Selecting an Appropriate Fish Tank: Betta fish need a fish tank that can hold approximately five gallons of water, and it's better not to be smaller than 2.5 gallons. Since betta fish can breathe air directly from the water surface, the fish tank doesn't require a filtration system. Instead, the water flow generated by the filtration system can cause stress to them.
Water Quality Management: Use tap water that has been left in the sun for two days in advance to remove chlorine, or use purified water. Ensure that there is enough surface area at the top of the fish tank so that betta fish can swim to the water surface to breathe air.
Gentle Transition
The Acclimation Process: Place the bag containing the betta fish into the water of the new fish tank and soak it for about 20 minutes. Then, pour some water from the tank into the bag every five minutes, and repeat this two to three times until the little fish are fully adapted to the water temperature and quality in the tank.
Lowering the Water Level: Lower the water level to a place about 5 centimeters above the body of the betta fish. This can reduce their stress.
Providing Shelters
Placing a Hideout and Decorations: Put a hideout and two aquatic plant balls in the new fish tank to help the betta fish relieve stress. Usually, the betta fish will stop entering the hideout after two weeks.
Using Indian Almond Leaves: Put some Indian almond leaves on the water surface of the tank to provide shelters and help the betta fish feel safe.
Management During the Quarantine Period
No Feeding in the First Three Days: Try not to feed the betta fish in the first three days to avoid more problems caused by their failure to adapt to the new environment.
Maintaining Water Quality and Temperature: Ensure that the water temperature is between 24 and 28 degrees Celsius. Don't feed them in the first two days, and start feeding them until the betta fish start to become lively.