Bettas, also known as Siamese fighting fish, are beautiful, colorful fish with a large range of personalities. So it’s no wonder they have gained such popularity. They are hardy and relatively easy to care for as long as you provide them with the right environment. And that includes the water in which they live. Betta fish originate from Southeast Asia, so their natural habitat is warm tropical waters. As such, tap water is not ideal for them. However, if you have a betta in your home and need to know if it is okay in tap water or if you want to know whether you can put one in your tap water, read on for some advice on betta fish for sale online.
Why Is Tap Water Bad for Bettas?
These fish come from a tropical climate, which means they prefer warm water. Warm water holds more oxygen than cold water. This is why bettas live in warm, tropical waters; they can breathe more easily in warm water. However, tap water is usually cold water, which means it holds less oxygen. As such, it is not a suitable environment for these fish. In addition, the pH level of tap water is usually different from that of warm tropical water. This is bad for bettas because their delicate skin cannot handle the change in pH level. If the pH levels are too low, the betta will likely suffer from fin rot and other bacterial infections.
When is a Betta Okay in Tap Water?
This question may have crossed your mind when you brought home your beautiful new fish. Is it okay for the fish to swim around in tap water? Is it okay for the fish to live in tap water? Well, as stated above, tap water is not suitable for these fish. However, if you have no other choice and you have to keep a betta in tap water, you can make it a little better for your pet. The first measure you can take is to increase the temperature of the water.
You can do this easily if the tap water comes out of the hot water pipes in your home. If not, however, you can use a water heater or a water heater. The next thing you can do is change the pH levels of the water. You can do this by adding a little bit of vinegar to the water. The last thing you can do is add a little bit of salt to the water just a pinch will do. Make sure you do not put too much salt in the water, as it could make your betta sick.
How to Make Tap Water Better for Bettas
If you want to know how to make tap water better for bettas, you have to check the pH level and temperature of the water first. The temperature of the water should be between 77°F and 86°F, and the pH level should be between 6 and 8. You can check these things with a pH test strip. You can also add some aquarium salt to the water to make it more suitable for bettas.
You can also change the water in which your betta lives if you want to make it better for the fish. If the water has a low pH level, this could be harming your fish. It’s best to change the water every two weeks. You can also add some aquarium salt to the water to make it more suitable for your fish.
Tips to Help Your Betta Live in Tap Water
Apart from the methods listed above, there are other things you can do to help your betta live in tap water. For instance, you can keep your betta in a warm environment. This will help the fish retain more oxygen. You can also keep your betta in a large enough tank. A small tank restricts the oxygen flow, which again is bad for the fish.
And since pH levels can be tricky to control, it’s better to choose a tank with a lid that closes tightly to prevent the water from getting too cold. You can also change the water in which your betta lives if you want to make it better for the fish. If the water has a low pH level, this could be harming your fish. It’s best to change the water every two weeks.
Conclusion
A betta fish is not suitable to live in tap water due to the low pH level and low oxygen levels found in tap water. However, if you have no other choice and you have to keep a betta in tap water, you can make it a little better for your pet. The first measure you can take is to increase the temperature of the water. You can also change the pH levels of the water. You can also add some aquarium salt to the water to make it more suitable for your fish.