SHOPPING LIST
Step 1: Aquarium
The standard for pet care
The Vet Assured Program includes:
•Specific standards our vendors agree to
meet in caring for and observing pets for
common illnesses.
•Specific standards for in-store pet care.
•The PetSmart Promise: If your pet becomes ill
during the initial 14-day period, or if you’re
not satisfied for any reason, PetSmart will gladly
replace the pet or refund the purchase price.
Water Quality Testing
PetSmart offers free aquarium water testing. By
bringing in a sample of your aquarium water, we
can test the quality within minutes. See the guide
on Setting Up an Aquarium for more information
about water quality and water testing.
THINGS TO WATCH FOR
• Unusual swimming pattern
•Thinness or decreased appetite
•Abdominal swelling
•Inflamed or discolored skin or fins
•Fins clamped to sides of body
•Scraping body on rocks (flashing)
If you notice any of the signs described above,
speak with a PetSmart store associate or a
veterinarian about the health of your pet.
A glass or acrylic aquarium
Aquarium stand, if necessary
Aquarium hood with light fixture and bulbs
Automatic timer, if desired
betta fish
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: BEGINNER
Step 2: Decor
Aquarium gravel
Decorations (driftwood/rock/ornament)
Live plants and/or artificial plants
Air-powered ornaments, with air pump
and tubing, if desired
For Bowl Habitats:
One quart (1 L) or larger fish bowl
Aquarium gravel
Step 3: Care
Equipment
Aquarium filtration system, if needed
Aquarium heater and thermometer
Food
Flake food or Betta pelleted food
Frozen or freeze-dried supplements
Cleaning
Algae cleaning pad or scraper
Fish net
Gravel vacuum (for water changes)
Water Care
Aquarium beneficial bacteria starter
Water test kit/strips (for aquariums)
Water conditioner/dechlorinator
This Care Guide contains general information regarding
the proper care of your pet, but is not comprehensive.
For more information, visit petsmart.com or see
additional Aquatic Care Guides.
Community: Tropical Aquarium
Lifespan: Approximately 2-3 years
Size:
Up to 3” (5-7 cm) long
Habitat: Only one male Betta
in a community aquarium
Shop for your fish in
3 Simple Steps
1 Aquarium
Pick a size
2
Decor
Personalize
your tank
3
Care
Keep fish
healthy
PetSmart® Care Guides were developed and approved by PetSmart
veterinarians. For more information on the care of pets, visit
SPC_AQA_CRGD_002
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Designs and VET ASSURED are trademarks of PetSmart Store Support Group, Inc.
petsmart.com/careguides
STEP 1 Aquarium
Bettas can be housed in aquariums or bowls.
Aquarium
can either be kept in a large community
aquarium with community fish (only one male Betta
per aquarium), or singularly in a desktop aquarium.
When housing a single male Betta in a community
aquarium, a good rule of thumb is one gallon (4 L)
of water for every 1" (3 cm) of full-grown fish.
a
• Bettas
Aquarium Stand
appropriate aquarium stand will safely support
the weight of your filled aquarium. Aquariums
weigh as much as 10 lbs. per gallon capacity and
require strong stands.
B• An
• Locate your aquarium in a low-traffic area, away
from direct sunlight and drafts.
Hood and Light Fixture
an aquarium hood with light fixtures on the
aquarium to reduce water evaporation, splashing,
and fish jumping out.
C• Place
STEP 3 Care
STEP 3 Care
Filtration (mechanical and biological)
filters or power filters will provide
aeration and filtration for the aquarium. Consult
filter package for appropriate filter size.
Nutrition
• Choose a flake or pelleted food of the
appropriate size for your Betta as its staple diet.
G
• Undergravel
• The filter should move the water in the aquarium
through the filter media 3-5 times per hour
(e.g., a filter for a 20-gallon aquarium should
filter 60-100 gallons of water per hour).
• Add beneficial bacteria supplements to your
aquarium to aid biological waste break down.
Water Heater and Thermometer
an aquarium heater to maintain the water
temperature. The general rule for aquarium
heaters is five watts of power for each gallon of
aquarium water. For large aquariums, it is better
to divide this into two heaters, one at each end of
the tank, rather than using one large heater.
H
• Use
Aquarium Gravel
Use 1.5 lbs. (680 g) of aquarium gravel for
every gallon (4 L) of tank capacity to make a
2-3" (5-8 cm) layer on the bottom of the
aquarium. Rinse the gravel in a clean container before adding it to the aquarium.
Plants
E• Decorate the aquarium with live or artificial
plants. Be sure to place them on the sides and
back of the aquarium so the fish will have enough
space to swim in the center.
Ornaments and Rocks
ornaments and rocks designed for aquariums to provide hiding areas for the fish. This may help prevent aggression.
F• Use
• Vary the fish’s diet by including frozen (thaw first)
or freeze-dried brine shrimp, bloodworms, tubifex
worms and other foods.
Maintenance
Maintaining a healthy environment for your fish is
an ongoing commitment. A newly set up aquarium
requires more frequent monitoring with weekly
water testing and changing if necessary. Once
the water quality is stable, you can keep your
aquarium in great shape with minimal effort by
following this schedule:
Maintenance Schedule
H
Feed fish twice daily.
Daily
C
STEP 2 Decor
D
• Feed your Betta as much food as it will consume
in three minutes, twice a day.
• Bettas require water temperatures ranging
between 74-82º F (23-28º C).
• The light should be on for 8-12 hours a day. Turn
it on during the morning feeding, and off after the
evening feeding, or use an automatic timer.
Weekly
G
continued
Check water temperature and general health
of fish.
If the Betta is in a bowl, completely change the
water every week with dechlorinated water at the
correct temperature.
Scrub glass to remove algae, if necessary.
H
F
a
If the Betta is in an aquarium, vacuum gravel and
change 25% of water with dechlorinated water.
E
D
B
See the
informative care
guide on Setting
Up an Aquarium
for more details.
Betta Bowls
• When keeping a Betta in a bowl, choose a
one-quart or larger bowl.
• Only house one Betta per bowl.
• If your Betta is in an unheated bowl, the room
temperature must remain above 74º F (23º C).
• Decorate the bowl with aquarium rocks and/or plants. Rinse decor prior to placing in bowl.
Test water quality in established aquariums.
Monthly
Perform filter maintenance (i.e., replace filter
cartridge, replace carbon, rinse pre-filter, etc.).
Scrub algae from tank and prune live plants,
if necessary.
Always add a dechlorinator or water conditioner
to tap water before adding it to the aquarium. Do
not use soaps or detergents to clean aquarium or
decor, since they are toxic to fish.
Always wash your hands before and after handling
fish or cleaning the aquarium.