Five Unexpected Ways to Affect Betta Fish Life Span

INTRODUCTION: It's a common question.  Asked in various ways in various places online.  Like Yahoo Answers, betta or tropical fish forums, as well as in comments on blog posts.  But it comes down to pretty much the same thing: When it comes to betta fish life span, what can I expect?  How long will my pet live? 

And it's also a thoroughly reasonable question knowing that tropical fish will have a shorter life in many cases than other pets.  Certainly there are exceptions but generally speaking fish are simply not going to be all that long lived.  So it's helpful to have an idea of what you're dealing with, no? 

But as questions go I feel this one, or at least when asked this way, misses the point.  Rather than asking about expected lifespan directly, it might be better to ask what affects life span and how can you prolong it.  See the difference?  Because while an expiration date is more of less baked into their DNA, typically given as three to five years, there are many things the betta keeper does that can affect how long their finny friend will be around.  Because far too many of these guys don't live anywhere near that long.  In fact some measure their personal longevity in months or weeks even.  Such a premature death is too bad especially when it is easily avoidable.

WATER QUALITY
The first thing that can affect life span is water quality.  And don't just skim past this as it's a biggy.  Because long betta life often comes down to two words: water quality.  If you are diligent about doing water changes so that their water doesn't become toxic you are taking a good first step to maximizing life span.  Because even if the water looks good, it's clear, doesn't smell, etc, ammonia and other unseen contaminates could be building up to dangerous levels if you aren't replacing water on a regular basis.  And these pollutants can kill. 

WATER TEST KIT
This is also why knowing your way around a water test kit would be next on the list to things to do.  Most male bettas with a long life ahead of them have their water tested, and tested often.  And not with those notoriously unreliable test strips either, but using a full-blown water test kit.  Where you draw a tiny vile's worth of tank water, add a precise number of drops of reactant and then compare the resulting color to a chart to see what's what.  Sure the better ones can cost a tad more than your flimsy run-of-the-mill strips.  But since you get a better read on water conditions they are well worth it, even mandatory, if you ask me.  At least if you're serious about maximizing beta life span. 

TANK SIZE
While on the topic of water, the amount of water your fish is kept in goes a long way to determining how long your betta with maintain its youthful zest for life, let alone being alive.  And you don't need to consult a crystal ball to come to that conclusion. 

Those fighting fish kept in a tiny bowl with frigid water temps are not likely to be found wearing funny hats at too many New Year's celebrations.  Cold water aside, noxious substances that lead directly to death without passing GO, can skyrocket out of control in no time.  Before you know it your veiltail will be floating belly up and you are left to wonder why.  While the why should be obvious, it's too late at that point to do much about it.  This is why you shouldn't bother even asking the how long question if you aren't willing to address the how much.  As in how much water.  And housing your fish in at least a five gallon tank that can be properly heated and filtered is the minimum in my book.  Doing so may not be an absolute guarantee of longevity, but it's certainly another step in the right direction. 

WATER TEMPS
Along the same lines if you can't be bothered to heat the water tropically you might was well work out a beta fish flush routine in the bathroom because you'll be using it often. I'm not saying you need to get a top of the line titanium alloy submersible heater to keep your flaming red crowntail comfy, but you do need to rely on something more than room temp to do the job.  Like a nice Tetra heater perhaps.  That way you won't find your beta wrapped in java fern yearning to be warm at least. 

 For those looking for more help, here's a short video the covers the basics of choosing a fish tank heater. 



Video takeaways:  It's good to remember that you get what you pay for with aquarium heaters.  Aside from that this is a good quick overview of lower priced heaters and what advantages a step up to submersibles might offer.  That and a couple of other useful tips you won't want to miss. 

MENU CHOICES
Finally do you feed flakes or pellets?  Not as funny as boxer or briefs perhaps, but flakes are a nearly surefire way to have your fish looking for help in the morning at some point.  They can swell up in their bellies and create bloat faster than you can spell C-O-N-S-T-A-P-A-T-I-O-N.  Which is why anymore those looking to have their fish a long time rely on pellets.  With occasional frozen treats like blood worms and brine shrimp to create a bit of added excitement on the menu.  Because the wrong food choice is simply a bad choice. And yet another misstep easily avoided by those looking to tap the maximum life span they can for their betta fish.