Once upon a time, beautiful Betta splendens lived in the rice paddies of Thailand. Nowadays you’ve probably seen these colorful fish in small bowls or even cups of water at the pet store. But bettas like having their space just like most other creatures. They will live longer and healthier in a large betta fish tank with filter. That means a minimum of 2.5-gallons of water.
Top betta fish tanks
A better betta fish tank size would be a 5-gallon aquarium. Plus, these tropical fish prefer water heated to between 78 and 82 degrees F. And long-finned betas are more comfortable in tanks with slow currents.
Let’s look at a variety of the best betta fish tank setups to see which will be the right home for your pet.
#1 Aqueon LED MiniBow Aquarium Starter Kits with LED Lighting
Aqueon’s attractive MiniBow aquarium comes in 2.5 and 5-gallon sizes that make a pleasant home for a betta fish. The starter kit includes a hood with a built-in LED light, a QuietFlow filter, and a divider panel in case you wish to house two betas. There are also water care and food samples in the box. Overall, it’s an inexpensive and comprehensive option.
#2 Tetra LED Cube-Shaped 3-Gallon Aquarium with Pedestal Base
The Tetra Cube-Shaped Aquarium holds three gallons of water and comes with a Tetra 3i filter and LED light. One of the main benefits of this tank is that it’s not glass; it’s made of shatter-resistant plastic.
Customers who reviewed this aquarium recommend replacing the filter with one that isn’t conical and has a flow rate adjuster. That makes the tank more comfortable for a betta.
#3 Penn Plax Vertex Desktop Aquarium Kit
Penn Plax’s Vertex Aquarium Kit holds 2.7-gallons of water and has a modern frameless design. It measures 10 inches tall by 9 inches long and 8 inches wide. And it comes with a HOB, or hang-on-back filter, a thermometer, and a fish net. Plus, the filter features a flow adjuster, which is important for taking care of long-finned bettas. If you don’t love the kit, Penn Plax offers a 100% money-back guarantee.
#4 Koller Products AquaView 3-Gallon 360
AquaView’s 3-gallon round tank is made of crystalline plastic, not glass. It comes with a Tetra Whisper HOB filter that cleans 25 gallons per hour. And it has a LED light that offers seven different colors and has a timer, too.
#5 Aqueon Betta Falls Kit
Aqueon’s Betta Falls Kit is a unique setup that allows you to house multiple bettas in only one aquarium. They can’t see each other, so they don’t get into fights.
The kit comes with an adjustable Aqueon QuietFlow filter and cartridge, food samples, and water conditioner. The waterfall flow is also adjustable so you can turn it down while the fish acclimate to their new habitat. But there are two downsides to this tank. One is that each compartment is small. Two, the water is challenging to heat evenly because of the tank structure.
#6 Marineland Portrait Glass LED Aquarium Kit
Marineland’s 5-gallon Portrait Glass Aquarium Kit makes a pleasant home for a betta. And it’s a beautiful setup that gives you a great view of your pet.
The kit includes a LED with daylight white and blue moonlight settings. It also comes with a 3-stage filtration system that has adjustable flow. Some bettas may find that the water moves too fast, but owners have found ways to cut the flow further with baffles.
#7 Fluval Spec V Aquarium Kit
Fluval’s Spec 5 Aquarium Kit has a 5-gallon tank and a very bright LED light. As a result, it’s a great choice for a betta fish tank with plants. And the 3-stage filter is isolated at the side of the tank in a separate chamber. It uses a foam block, activated carbon, and BioMax bio rings for effective cleaning of the water.
Customers say that they love this tank for their betta fish for several reasons. One is that the filter system is very quiet. There is also room in the same compartment for a heater. Next, the slim lid and light look sleek, not clunky. Then, the 37 LEDs are bright enough to raise aquatic plants. Plus, there is a nighttime blue light, too.
#8 Elive AquaDuo 3-Gallon Betta Aquarium Fish Tank Kit
Elive’s AquaDuo 3-gallon tank kit is another good choice if you wish to grow aquatic plants in your betta’s aquarium. Although bettas are carnivorous and don’t eat plants, the greenery makes for pleasing decorations and hiding places. Plus, real plants won’t harm a betta’s fins as plastic ones will.
The kit includes a half-circle-shaped glass tank, an adjustable filter and cartridges, planting media, a light, and a cover. Elive says that this aquarium is suitable for Pothos, lucky bamboo, and more. The filter is also adaptable to regular aquarium or hydroponics filtration.
#9 Tetra 1.8 Gallon Waterfall Globe Aquarium Kit
The 1.8-gallon Waterfall Globe from Tetra is smaller than we’d normally recommend, but it’s a big step above housing your betta in an ordinary fish bowl. It has a filter system that creates a waterfall effect, plus LED lights. And owners who are happy with their purchase report that the filter is quiet and efficient, and the moonlight effect of the LEDs is pleasant.
#10 Tetra Crescent Acrylic Aquarium Kit
A better home for a betta is this roomy Crescent Aquarium from Tetra. The 5-gallon tank has a gorgeous curved front and slimline lid with LED lights. It also comes with the Tetra Whisper internal filter with adjustable water flow. The filter only needs one cartridge, a Bio-Bag.
#11 Marineland Contour Glass Aquarium Kit with Rail Light
Marineland’s Contour Glass Aquarium Kit comes with a bright LED light mounted on a rail above the water. The light creates a dappled sunlight effect in the water, and a moonlight glow, too.
The three-stage filter is hidden out of sight to preserve the beauty of the tank. And it has a pump with adjustable flow. But, according to reviewers, it may be difficult to change the cartridges because space is tight. And you may need to place the heater elsewhere in the tank.
#12 GloFish 29045 Aquarium Kit
GloFish’s 29045 Aquarium Kit comes with a plastic 5-gallon tank, a Whisper internal filter with Bio-Bags, and blue LED lights. While the lighting is pleasing when used with glowfish, it might not being out the best of a betta’s colors. On the other hand, owners say the filtration system is quiet with a low flow of water.
How to select the best betta fish tank?
When you begin shopping for an aquarium, the variety can be overwhelming. The quickest way to narrow down the possibilities is to decide now that you’re going to give your betta the best home you can afford. That means no compromise on size—stick to the minimum 2.5-gallon rule.
Next, there’s always the concern about the current that the air pump or filtration system creates. It’s usually stressful to bettas if their water moves too fast. And some filter intakes might suck up their fins and damage them. To avoid problems, choose filters that have adjustable flow. And be prepared to place a sponge or mesh over the intake or output, too.
Now, there’s the question of light. Bettas don’t have any specific light requirements. You might want to buy a light that shows off your fish’s coloring. Or you may want a lamp strong enough to grow aquatic plants.
But heat is another matter. Bettas need 78 to 82 degrees F to stay healthy and content. This means you’ll probably need a water heater unless your home’s air is warm enough to keep the water comfortable for them. And you’ll definitely want a thermometer to monitor conditions. Some of the kits we reviewed today include this vital piece of equipment.
Finally, it’s time to consider decorations. Forget plastic plants because they may have sharp edges that rip fins. Stick to silk plants. And provide places for your betta to rest and hide.
In conclusion, choosing the best aquarium for your betta might mean buying it piece by piece instead of purchasing a kit. But there are several quality betta fish tanks in our review today that can make your shopping easier.
How to keep a betta fish healthy and happy?
Bettas like calm, warm water. They don’t like the company of other bettas, but they will like having you around. They are smart and can learn to recognize your face and perform simple tricks. A well-cared-for betta can live up to 5 years.
If you want to give a betta some other fish for company, choose wisely. And opt for a larger tank, not a bowl. These species tend to get along with bettas:
- Plecostomus, or suckermouth catfish that feed off the bottom of the tank
- Other kinds of catfish like corydoras
- Ember and neon tetras
- African dwarf frogs
If you want to have more than one betta in the same tank, you’ll need an opaque divider so that they cannot see each other.
As for filtration, bettas can survive in dirtier water than some fish can tolerate. But a reliable filter makes your work easier, too. Although you’ll only be caring for one fish in the tank, the water still gets polluted with leftover food and waste if it’s not cleaned.
Another part of taking good care of your betta is providing conditioned water. You’ll want to pretreat fresh water and also try to match the temperature to not shock the fish. Try doing partial water changes of only a quarter of the tank’s water at a time.
Next, the right food is essential. Carnivorous bettas like to eat bloodworms and brine shrimp, but those are treats. Stick to feeding your buddy the betta fish pellets from the pet store for his regular meals. Overfeeding the betta will kill him faster than withholding food. So give him just what he can consume in two minutes’ time twice a day.
To sum up, if you take good care of your betta, he’ll thrive in his new aquarium and keep you company for years to come.
How to train your betta?
If your betta fish has begun swimming toward you when you come near the tank, he recognizes you. Now it’s time to teach your fish to follow your finger. Hint: get bloodworms or brine shrimp thawed and ready before starting training, so you have a reward to give him.
First, drag your finger slowly backward and forwards across the front of the tank. If the fish approaches it, give him a treat. Otherwise, shake your finger until the fish notices. Then try moving your finger back and forth again. If your betta is following, move your finger up and down, too. Each time he mimics the movement, give a treat. With just three to five minutes a day, you can train your betta to do this trick and many others, too.
Conclusion
We hoped we helped you find the best betta fish aquarium for your pet today. There are many economical choices that provide a safe and healthy environment. Then you can enjoy your gorgeous fish for years to come.