Betta Tank Size: Weird Question

Hey all! I’ve been keeping betta fish for as long as I can remember. Of course when I first started many years ago, they were kept in bowls now my bettas each have their own 10 gallon with some snails only, no other fish. Well, as you may know, I recently got some fish and tanks from my sister. When I brought the fish home I put her BN pleco in one of the ten gallon tanks w lots of driftwood and algae for a holding tank until I got her 37 set up. I of course moved my betta from that ten and put him in my 2 gallon cube w some floating plants and a hide. He’s been in the small tank for one night and he’s become active (not glass surfing but generally happy looking) and has built a bubble nest which he never did in his old tank (I know that’s not a symbol of being happy just saying). I’m now wondering if for this particular betta a ten gallon may have been too much somehow? I can move him to my 5 gallon permanently. Every tank has low flow, tannins, and hides. He just seems more active and exploring in this smaller tank. Am I insane? Lol

 

Maybe he just likes going camping and vacationing in new areas.

 

they just hated cleaning
i think it would be ok to move him into the 5 gallon

 

I have bettas in the Fluval 2.6 gallon kits and I thought they seemed more active than when I had them in 10 gallon tanks. My theory was they felt more secure in a smaller territory? Maybe it had more to do with their individual personalities?

 

I have bettas in the Fluval 2.6 gallon kits and I thought they seemed more active than when I had them in 10 gallon tanks. My theory was they felt more secure in a smaller territory? Maybe it had more to do with their individual personalities?

Yeah I don’t know. My other bettas are doing great in their tens but maybe this one likes a smaller territory

 

It is possible. I have seen stories where people have stated their bettas did ay better in a 5 than a 20. Only really had 1 betta that seemed to enjoy being in a 20+, i think the rest may have preferred a 5 gal compared to the 10 or 20 they were in.

 

It is possible. I have seen stories where people have stated their bettas did ay better in a 5 than a 20. Only really had 1 betta that seemed to enjoy being in a 20+, i think the rest may have preferred a 5 gal compared to the 10 or 20 they were in.

I’m starting to think that bigger isn’t always better for betta. I think they spend so much of their life in small areas (the domesticated ones obviously) that sometimes they can become stressed in large tanks

 

I'd think the behavior change might've been brought on by new surroundings. A new tank will look and feel unfamiliar, so he'd want to explore his new territory.

 

I'd think the behavior change might've been brought on by new surroundings. A new tank will look and feel unfamiliar, so he'd want to explore his new territory.

Yeah for sure but also the bubble nest building, I know it doesn’t mean happiness or comfort but I think it means he at least feels safer and wants to start breeding maybe. I think I’m going to move him to the 5 gallon this week

 

...I genuinely don't know where this started that the minimum tank size for a betta is 10gal. That's insane. Yes, it's appropriate, but anything smaller does not make you a monster and anything 2.5gal and up is more than appropriate for a single betta. There are definitely some bettas that genuinely prefer the smaller territory of a 5gal, while others enjoy larger tanks too. It depends on the individual betta. It also could be things like the difference in lighting, decor, water conditions, or whatever that he's liking better in the 5gal. But, the tank is certainly a very appropriate size for a betta.

 

...I genuinely don't know where this started that the minimum tank size for a betta is 10gal. That's insane. Yes, it's appropriate, but anything smaller does not make you a monster and anything 2.5gal and up is more than appropriate for a single betta. There are definitely some bettas that genuinely prefer the smaller territory of a 5gal, while others enjoy larger tanks too. It depends on the individual betta. It also could be things like the difference in lighting, decor, water conditions, or whatever that he's liking better in the 5gal. But, the tank is certainly a very appropriate size for a betta.

I’m starting to believe that. Also listening to some aquarium Coop podcasts where they literally say how you care for your fish is more important than tank size etc (obviously within reason of course)

 

I've kept 3 bettas in 3 gallon tanks when I started out 4+ years ago and never had any health issues. But I also did water changes on the fly if I did not like how the tank looked. The 2 tanks were seated right above my sink, easiest water changes I ever did, lol

I do think smaller tank, less decor for more swim room.

I just moved my blind marble betta -(he has 'dragonscales' over his eyes from the marble gene) from 16 gallon to 5 gallon that he had been in. I've notice no behavior change. It was his first tank for 3 months so he took the change in stride. It's easier for him to find the food than the 16 gallon, far too big when you cannot see.

You gotta do what works for you. I will say, a full moon betta swimming in a 10 gallon is unbelievably majestic, it's stroke, stroke, glide action as they swim. srs.You really appreciate their fins seeing them in a 10 gallon.

 

I've kept 3 bettas in 3 gallon tanks when I started out 4+ years ago and never had any health issues. But I also did water changes on the fly if I did not like how the tank looked. The 2 tanks were seated right above my sink, easiest water changes I ever did, lol

I do think smaller tank, less decor for more swim room.

I just moved my blind marble betta -(he has 'dragonscales' over his eyes from the marble gene) from 16 gallon to 5 gallon that he had been in. I've notice no behavior change. It was his first tank for 3 months so he took the change in stride. It's easier for him to find the food than the 16 gallon, far too big when you cannot see.

You gotta do what works for you. I will say, a full moon betta swimming in a 10 gallon is unbelievably majestic, it's stroke, stroke, glide action as they swim. srs.You really appreciate their fins seeing them in a 10 gallon.

Yes I agree, I video my betta Oliver gliding in his ten gallon super beautiful. This betta never really moved that much in the ten so I’m going to downsize him after seeing him change for the better in the smaller tank