How to Care for a Betta Fish in the Philippines
A betta is one of the easiest pets you can keep in a Filipino home. You don't need a heater, a big tank or an expensive filter. You do need three things: treated water, tiny meals, and a steady spot away from the aircon. Momo just got her first betta, so we'll walk through it with her.
MomoFirst-time betta keeper
HanabiHer red and blue halfmoon betta
DangoHer Winter White. Always hungry.
Pick a tank size. Bigger is easier.
Any of the four tank sizes below works for one betta. The difference is the work: waste builds up faster in a small tank, so it needs water changes more often. A bigger tank stays clean longer.
- One betta per tank. Two males will fight.
- Use a lid or cover with a small air gap. Bettas can jump.
- Gentle filter or none. Their long fins tire out in a strong current.
- Soft plants and a leaf to rest on. Sharp decor can tear fins.
Our tank sizes, side by side
Sizes are width × depth × height in inches. The blue column shows how much water each one holds.
Not sure what to buy? Our starter sets put the tank and the basics in one order. Then you can get back to feeding me.
Treat every bucket of tap water
Tap water has chlorine in it to keep it safe for people, and chlorine burns a fish's gills. Add anti-chlorine (water conditioner) every time you add tap water, top-ups included, using the dose on the bottle.
- New water should feel the same temperature as the tank water.
- Never wash the tank or decor with soap. Rinse with plain water only.
- Keep a pail, a cup and a net just for the fish, so no soap or chemicals get near them.
No heater needed. Just pick the right spot.
Bettas like 25 to 30 °C, which is normal room temperature in most Philippine homes. What hurts them here is a sudden change, like cold aircon air or afternoon sun hitting a small tank.
On cold nights during amihan or a typhoon, I move Hanabi to a warmer spot inside the house.
Feed less than you think
2–3 pelletsis a full meal, once or twice a day
A betta's stomach is about the size of its eye. Overfeeding is the most common reason bettas get sick, because leftover food rots and fouls the water.
- Scoop out leftovers after 5 minutes.
- Skip one day a week to rest the stomach.
- No extra pinch "just in case", even if someone looks sad.
Change the water on a schedule
Waste builds up even when the water still looks clear, so don't wait for it to turn cloudy. Here is what two weeks look like:
- Fill a clean pail with tap water and add anti-chlorine.
- Let it sit until it feels the same temperature as the tank.
- Scoop out the old water with the poop and any leftover food.
- Pour the new water in slowly.
Bringing your betta home
The water in the bag and the water in the tank can be a few degrees apart. Floating the bag lets them match before your betta moves in.
Prepare the tank
Fill it with water treated with anti-chlorine.
Float the bag
15 to 20 minutes, so the temperatures match.
Net it in
Move the fish with a net. Leave the bag water out.
No food today
Let it settle. Feed from day two.
If I build a bubble nest at the top in the next few days, it means I'm happy and healthy.
Do this, not that
Do
- Add anti-chlorine to all tap water
- Keep one betta per tank
- Feed 2 to 3 pellets
- Change water on a schedule
- Use a lid with an air gap
Don't
- Pour in untreated tap water
- Put two males together
- Drop in a pinch of food "just in case"
- Wash the tank with soap
- Put the tank under the aircon or in the sun
6 warning signs to message us about
Not eating
Refuses food for 2 days or more.
Lying at the bottom
Fins held tight to the body.
White spots
Like grains of salt on body or fins.
Torn fins
Ragged or "melting" edges.
Swollen belly
Scales stick out like a pinecone.
Gasping
Stays at the surface all the time.
Change the water with treated water, stop feeding for a day, then send us a photo or video on Messenger. We'll help you work out what's wrong.
The fish in the photo is the fish you get
Every betta on our site has its own tank code and its own photos, taken at our shop in Bacoor, Cavite.
- J&T
- Nationwide. The fee depends on the box, so message us for a quote.
- Lalamove
- Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
- Pickup
- Our shop in Bacoor, Cavite.
- Sundays
- No deliveries or pickups.
- Arrival
- If a fish arrives dead, we replace it. Send us an unboxing video within 2 hours of delivery.
Questions customers ask us
Do bettas need a heater in the Philippines?
Usually not. Bettas like 25 to 30 °C, which is normal room temperature in most Philippine homes. Keep the tank away from aircon and fans, and move it somewhere warmer on cold nights.
What tank size does a betta need?
Our customers use 4×6×8 in (0.8 gal), 6×6×8 in (1.2 gal), 2.5 gal and 5 gal tanks. All of them work for one betta. Small tanks need half the water changed every 3 days; a 5 gal tank with a filter needs a quarter changed each week.
Can I use tap water for my betta?
Yes, after adding anti-chlorine (water conditioner). Untreated tap water contains chlorine, which harms fish.
How often should I feed my betta?
2 to 3 pellets, once or twice a day, with one day off each week. Remove leftovers after 5 minutes.
Can two bettas live in one tank?
No. Male bettas fight, so keep one betta per tank.
How long do bettas live?
With clean water and the right amount of food, a betta can live 2 to 4 years.
Momo, Dango and Hanabi are our own cartoon characters, drawn for this guide. The fish photos under "From our tanks" are real bettas from our shop.