Betta fish aren’t suitable for long-term housing in bowls, but here are some measures for short-term emergency keeping:
I. Basic Survival Conditions
Minimum Water Volume Requirement
A single betta fish needs at least 5 liters of water. A volume of 3-5 liters can only support short-term survival (no more than 48 hours), and 1/3 of the water must be replaced daily.
Water Temperature Control
The water temperature must be maintained at 24-28°C. If the room temperature is too low, a 25W heater is necessary.
Water Quality Management
Use dechlorinated tap water or water that has been left to stand for 24 hours, with the pH value kept between 6.5 and 7.2.
II. Notes for Temporary Bowl Keeping
Container Selection
A square container of 20cm or larger (such as an ultra-white tank) is required. Avoid round bowls, as they can cause visual impairment.
Environment Setup
A jump-proof net cover is needed.
Add almond leaves to adjust water quality.
Place duckweed or aquatic plants to provide shelter.
Emergency Handling
If a small 10cm tank is used temporarily, the following steps must be taken:
Test the water quality daily.
Install a partition to reduce stress.
Avoid direct exposure to strong light.
For long-term keeping, it’s recommended to use a square tank of at least 20×15×15cm (about 8 liters) equipped with a slow-flow filtration system.