Betta Fish Owner Essentials: Complete Shopping Guide

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Everything you need to keep your betta fish healthy and thriving. I’ve personally researched and vetted each product on this list to ensure they meet the specific needs of betta fish.

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Tanks & Aquariums

My Top Pick: Aqueon Aquarium Fish Tank Starter Kit with LED Lighting (10 Gallon)

This is the perfect starter kit for bettas. It includes everything you need to get started – LED lighting, filter, and a quality glass tank.

The 10-gallon size is ideal because it gives your betta plenty of swimming space and makes water parameters much more stable than smaller tanks.

Why I recommend the 10-gallon over 5-gallon:

  • More stable water parameters (easier for beginners)
  • Gives bettas ample swimming space
  • You can add tank mates later (like snails or shrimp)
  • Includes hood with LED lighting
  • Comes with QuietFlow filter
  • Better temperature stability

What’s Included:

  • 10-gallon glass aquarium
  • Low-profile LED hood lighting
  • QuietFlow filtration system
  • Premium fish food sample
  • Water conditioner sample

Budget Option: Standard Glass Aquarium 10 Gallon

If you want just the tank without the kit, this is a solid choice. You’ll need to buy the filter, heater, and light separately, but it gives you more flexibility in choosing your equipment.

Important Note: Never keep bettas in bowls or tanks smaller than 5 gallons. I strongly recommend 10 gallons as the minimum – it’s not much more expensive than a 5-gallon setup, but makes a HUGE difference in water quality and your betta’s health. Bigger is always better when it comes to aquariums.

Filters & Equipment

My Top Pick: Aqueon QuietFlow Internal Filter

This is my go-to filter for betta tanks. It’s adjustable, quiet, and the flow can be turned down to avoid stressing your betta with strong currents.

Why bettas need gentle filtration:

  • Bettas have long flowing fins that can get damaged by strong currents
  • They come from slow-moving waters in nature
  • Adjustable flow is crucial

Alternative: Hygger Sponge Filter

For those who want the gentlest possible filtration, sponge filters are excellent. They provide biological filtration without creating strong currents. You’ll need an air pump to run it

Best Air Pump for Sponge Filter: Tetra Whisper Air Pump

Ultra-quiet and reliable. Get the 10-gallon model for a 5-gallon betta tank.

Heaters & Temperature Control

My Top Pick: Aqueon Preset Heater

This is foolproof – it’s preset to 78°F which is ideal for bettas. No fiddling with temperature settings.

Why I love preset heaters:

  • Can’t accidentally set wrong temperature
  • Compact size fits small tanks
  • Shatter-resistant construction
  • Red indicator light when heating

For Adjustable Control: Eheim Jager Aquarium Heater

If you want precise temperature control, this is the best adjustable heater. Built like a tank, extremely accurate.

Must-Have: PAIZOO Fish Tank Digital Thermometer

Always use a separate thermometer to monitor temperature.

Critical: Bettas need water between 76-82°F. Ideal is 78-80°F. Cold water will make them lethargic and sick.

Food & Nutrition

My Top Pick: Hikari Betta Bio-Gold

This is premium betta food. Small pellets, high protein, and bettas go crazy for it.

Why I recommend it:

  • Floating pellets (bettas are surface feeders)
  • High protein content (40%)
  • Color-enhancing formula
  • Small pellet size perfect for betta mouths

For Variety: Omega One Betta Buffet Flakes

Bettas can get bored with the same food. These flakes are made from whole salmon and are packed with omega fatty acids.

Frozen Treats: Hikari Freeze Dried Bloodworms

Feed these 2-3 times per week as treats. Bettas LOVE bloodworms and they’re packed with protein. Keep frozen until use.

Best Freeze-Dried Option: San Francisco Bay Brand Freeze Dried Bloodworms

If you don’t want to deal with frozen food, freeze-dried bloodworms are convenient and bettas love them.

Feeding Schedule:

  • 3-4 pellets in morning
  • 3-4 pellets in evening
  • Bloodworms 2-3x per week as treats
  • Fast one day per week to prevent bloating

Healthcare & Treatments

Essential Medicine Kit – Have These On Hand:

API Betta Fix
For treating bacterial infections, fin rot, and wounds. Safe for daily use during treatment.

Seachem ParaGuard
My go-to for treating ich, velvet, and external parasites. Safe for bettas and won’t harm beneficial bacteria.

API Aquarium Salt
Essential for treating many betta ailments. Use for: fin rot, ich, stress relief, wounds. Follow dosing instructions carefully.

Seachem StressGuard
Reduces stress during water changes, transportation, or illness. Contains healing polymers.

Kanaplex by Seachem
For serious bacterial infections. This is the antibiotic I turn to when nothing else works.

Indian Almond Leaves (Catappa Leaves)
Natural remedy that creates beneficial tannins, has antibacterial properties, and mimics betta natural habitat. 1 leaf per 5-10 gallons.

Note: Most betta diseases are preventable with proper water quality and temperature. Keep these on hand but focus on prevention.

Water Treatment & Testing

Must-Have: Seachem Prime Water Conditioner
This is the BEST water conditioner on the market. Removes chlorine, chloramine, and detoxifies ammonia and nitrite.

Why Prime is superior:

  • Works instantly
  • Super concentrated (1 capful treats 50 gallons)
  • Detoxifies ammonia and nitrite for 48 hours
  • Best value for money

API Freshwater Master Test Kit
Don’t waste money on test strips. This liquid test kit is accurate and essential for monitoring:

  • Ammonia (should be 0)
  • Nitrite (should be 0)
  • Nitrate (should be under 20ppm)
  • pH (6.5-7.5 for bettas)

Test weekly until tank is cycled, then test bi-weekly for maintenance.

For Quick Checks: API 5-in-1 Test Strips
These are handy for quick checks but not as accurate as liquid tests. Good for emergencies.

Seachem Stability
Use this to cycle new tanks faster. Adds beneficial bacteria. Especially useful for new betta owners.

Decorations & Plants

CRITICAL RULE: No sharp or rough decorations! Betta fins tear easily.

Live Plants (My Favorites):

Java Fern
Nearly impossible to kill. Doesn’t need substrate planting – attach to driftwood or rocks. Low light.

Anubias Nana
Another bulletproof plant. Stays small, low light, attach to decorations.

Amazon Sword
Larger plant that creates hiding spots. Needs substrate but very hardy.

Marimo Moss Balls
Low maintenance, help keep water clean, and bettas sometimes rest on them.

Silk Plants (If You Don’t Want Live):

Penn-Plax Betta Multi-Pack Plants
These are soft silk plants specifically designed for bettas. Do the pantyhose test – if it snags pantyhose, it’ll tear betta fins.

Decorations:

Natural Driftwood
Creates tannins (good for bettas) and looks natural. Soak before adding to prevent it from floating.

Betta Leaf Hammock
Bettas love resting near the surface. This suction cup leaf gives them a perfect resting spot.

Smooth River Rocks or Aquarium Gravel
Avoid sharp substrate. Smooth gravel or sand is best.

Betta Log
Floating log that bettas love to swim through and rest in.

Cave/Hiding Spot
Bettas need at least one hiding spot to feel secure. Smooth ceramic caves work great.

Essential Accessories

Aquarium Vacuum Gravel Cleaner
My Pick: Python No Spill Clean and Fill
Makes water changes SO much easier. Hooks directly to your faucet.

Budget Option: Aqueon Aquarium Water Changer
Does the same job for less money.

Fish Net
Fluval Edge Fine Fish Net
Soft mesh won’t damage betta fins. Get the 3-inch size.

Algae Scraper/Magnetic Cleaner
API Algae Pad
Soft pad that won’t scratch glass. Essential for weekly cleaning.

Turkey Baster or Pipette
For spot-cleaning uneaten food and waste between water changes.

Feeding Ring
Keeps floating pellets in one spot, prevents waste.

Timer for Lights
BN-LINK Digital Timer
Bettas need consistent day/night cycle. 8-10 hours of light per day. This automates it.

Backup Battery Air Pump

Fishkeeper Battery Powered Aquarium Air Pump

For power outages. Can be a lifesaver.

Shopping List by Priority

IMMEDIATE ESSENTIALS (Can’t keep betta without these):

  1. 5-gallon tank (or larger)
  2. Filter (adjustable flow)
  3. Heater (preset 78°F)
  4. Thermometer
  5. Water conditioner (Seachem Prime)
  6. Quality food (Hikari Bio-Gold)
  7. Water test kit (API Master Kit)

WEEK 1 ADDITIONS:

  1. Hiding spots/decorations
  2. Live or silk plants
  3. Gravel vacuum
  4. Fish net
  5. Indian Almond Leaves
  6. Betta Fix (medicine)

NICE TO HAVE:

  1. Light timer
  2. Betta hammock
  3. Frozen bloodworms
  4. Backup air pump
  5. Feeding ring

My Maintenance Schedule

Daily:

  • Feed 2x per day (skip 1 day per week)
  • Observe behavior and appearance
  • Check temperature

Weekly:

  • 25-30% water change
  • Clean algae from glass
  • Vacuum gravel
  • Test water parameters
  • Trim dead plant leaves

Monthly:

  • Replace filter cartridge (if applicable) or rinse sponge
  • Deep clean decorations
  • Check equipment function

Money-Saving Tips

  1. Buy concentrated products – Prime lasts forever
  2. Invest in quality upfront – Cheap heaters fail and kill fish
  3. Live plants over silk – They’re actually easier and cheaper long-term
  4. Buy food in small quantities – It goes stale after 3 months
  5. Indian Almond Leaves – Cheaper than medications, natural prevention

Final Thoughts

I’ve kept bettas for years and these are the products I genuinely use and trust. The initial setup costs around $150-200 for everything, but after that, monthly costs are minimal (just food and occasional water conditioner refills).

The most important things:
✓ 5+ gallon tank
✓ Heater (78-80°F)
✓ Gentle filtration
✓ Quality food
✓ Weekly water changes

Get these right and your betta will thrive for 3-5+ years.