Betta tank size?

Hey! I have a very quick Betta fish question! Thank you for clicking on this thread! Anyways here's my question, I'm planning on getting a betta fish soon and was curious if a 5.5-gallon tank would be fine! I've seen those 1-gallon tanks and I thought that would be inhumane to give a living creature that little space. So is 5.5 gallon a decent size? I'm very new to all this fish stuff, but obviously, I will get a filter, heater, gravel, Silk plants, water tester, ect.. I'm not that new . Thank you!

also if your wondering I'm using my brother's account! If you ask, "hey why don't you ask him?" He's in Japan for a business trip! Not like any of you care

 

A 5.5 is a perfect size for further reference the size can be 2.5-20 gallons

 

A 5.5 is a perfect size for further reference the size can be 2.5-20 gallons

Thank you for your reply!

 

The tank can be much bigger then a 20. A 5.5 will work fine for most bettas. Some are more active but not the norm.

 

The tank can be much bigger then a 20. A 5.5 will work fine for most bettas. Some are more active but not the norm.

Thanks! will keep in mind!

 

I suggest a moss ball! They help keep my betta tank clean.

 

I suggest a moss ball! They help keep my betta tank clean.

I've seen those before and was planning on putting it in the tank! Thanks for the confirmation that its good for betta's!!!

 

Marimo balls are so cool I have one.

 

The tank can be much bigger then a 20. A 5.5 will work fine for most bettas. Some are more active but not the norm.

I am aware of that I was just thinking for a single betta and maybe some tank mates

 

If you want a king betta you need to get a 10 gallon. Otherwise, your tank is perfect for a beta. As for tank mates look at mystery snails and shrimp.

 

5.5 gallon is perfectly fine. I personally wouldn't recommend anything under a 5, but a 5 is big enough to more easily establish a cycle and have plenty of room. If you are wanting tank mates, you may want to consider a 10 gallon if you have the room, but that also depends on what you would want.

 

Yup! I’ve got two bettas, both in 5.5 gallon tanks with heaters and sponge filters. Mine like moss balls. Non sharp decor is great too.

 

In my opinion, 1 gallon isn't inhumane. That is very minimum. 5.5 should be good, depends on the fish. Giant bettas normally need 10g, but all other bettas should do relatively well in a 5.5g.

 

That’s exciting getting your first Betta!!!!

From what I’ve researched 2.5 g and up is best for bettas....although I personally prefer the tank to be 5 gallon and up.

I’m pretty new to the fish hobby as well. This forum is awesome for guidance and the people on here are great!!

**Updated my initial statement. =)

 

2.5g is fine for a betta, saying it’s not sounds purposefully misleading.

Mine’s been doing well for well over a year, which is longer than most people can seem to keep their bettas alive, before reaching an untimely demise.

 

2.5g is fine for a betta, saying it’s not sounds purposefully misleading.

Mine’s been doing well for well over a year, which is longer than most people can seem to keep their bettas alive, before reaching an untimely demise.

I’m sorry I didn’t mean to sound like a 2.5g isn’t good, I just meant for me personally I like a 5 gallon and up (I apologize I should have worded my statement differently) But absolutely anything from a 2.5g and up is good

 

I personally have a betta in a 5.5 right now. That being said, I wanted a 2.5, but it worked out cheaper to go bigger. However, I'm seriously thinking about downgrading him, yes I said it, to a 2.5 with a different filter so I can open up the 5.5 for something else. If nothing else but a hospital tank for small fish. I don't think there is anything in the world wrong with a 2.5 for a betta and maybe even a snail of some kind.

 

This is completely my opinion and I'm not saying anyone is right or wrong. If someone were new to bettas and fish care, I would recommend at least a 5 gallon. I personally feel like it's easier to establish and keep your nitrogen cycle in a bigger tank, because it makes it harder to change too much water or mess up doses. It also gives room to play around with heaters, filters, and decorations. I also feel 5 and 10 are more "standard" sizes, so it's easier to find the correct fit for things. For people who are experienced and know exactly what they're looking to setup, smaller down to 2.5 is fine because you generally already know all about those things and how to make them fit/work. Again, just my opinion and definitely not a guideline.

 

This is completely my opinion and I'm not saying anyone is right or wrong. If someone were new to bettas and fish care, I would recommend at least a 5 gallon. I personally feel like it's easier to establish and keep your nitrogen cycle in a bigger tank, because it makes it harder to change too much water or mess up doses. It also gives room to play around with heaters, filters, and decorations. I also feel 5 and 10 are more "standard" sizes, so it's easier to find the correct fit for things. For people who are experienced and know exactly what they're looking to setup, smaller down to 2.5 is fine because you generally already know all about those things and how to make them fit/work. Again, just my opinion and definitely not a guideline.

All very valid points and good advice for a beginner.

 

I would like a five or ten but if space is limited then it's good to have a 2-5 gallon there are even cases where bettas need smaller tanks because they feel stressed

 

I wouldn't go smaller than a 2.5 or bigger than a 5.5 myself. My betta is in a 3.5 halfmoon and he's doing great. He has a Mystery snail and a Nerite snail for company and 5 different kinds of live plants that he loves swimming through and resting under. Anubias, Java Fern, Wisteria, Anacharis, and a Marimo ball.

 

I have to ask. Why not bigger then a 5.5 gallon tank.

 

I have to ask. Why not bigger then a 5.5 gallon tank.

I think anything bigger for just a single Betta is not needed.

 

I've been through a lot of tanks myself and I am very happy where I stopped. Started off in a 1 gallon, then two 3 gallons, a 6.6 gallon, and finally a 20 gallon. The smaller tanks either got sold or are trying to get sold. I love the 20 so much and all I have is a betta and two nerites. It's slowly getting more and more planted as well.
The reason why I suggest bigger instead of smaller is vacation and maintenance. If you go away for over a week on vacation and have no one to do water changes on a smaller tank, then things start to build up unless you are heavily planted. I could probably go a month without a water change in my tank and be perfectly fine. I also refuse to add more fish for that reason as well, less maintenance and less possibility for sick fish. My first betta was a halfmoon in the 20 and he loved it, swam through thr logs I made at the surface and at the time I had a TON of silk plants in the tank so he had lots of places to rest. Now I have a plakat and I don't think I could ever go smaller lol
But this also has it's draw backs, at least for me. I like to tinker and improve things so I am sometimes messing with the tank too much because it is my only tank. I want to eventually make it almost work free and I don't have to do anything except for feed and water changes. Slowly getting there! lol

 

I have a betta in a 2.5 gallon and he just sits in the same plants all day. He has a hard time swimming and has swim bladder issues often. I would never put him in anything bigger as I feel it would be difficult for him to move around in a bigger tank. So I feel like tank size depends on the specific betta.

 

I keep personal preference to myself with tank size since I wouldn't put any fish in anything smaller then my 29 gallon tank and even then I don't like that tank.

I think anything bigger for just a single Betta is not needed.

This thread has gotten so far away from the question op asked. Op wanted to know if keeping a betta in a 5.5 and yes that's fine.

 

I keep personal preference to myself with tank size since I wouldn't put any fish in anything smaller then my 29 gallon tank and even then I don't like that tank.


This thread has gotten so far away from the question op asked. Op wanted to know if keeping a betta in a 5.5 and yes that's fine.

I think it was perfectly on topic saying it was fine and I actually wouldn't get anything any bigger.

 

5.5 gallon is perfectly fine. I personally wouldn't recommend anything under a 5, but a 5 is big enough to more easily establish a cycle and have plenty of room. If you are wanting tank mates, you may want to consider a 10 gallon if you have the room, but that also depends on what you would want.

I just want a simple sized tank on my desk Thanks!

 

I guess the size also depends on your fish's personality. Mine is in a 15G, and if I had unlimited space and money, I'd get him a bigger one, because he's so active it almost feels too small. But I've also seen very docile bettas that sort of just float around, and I imagine they'd be perfectly happy in a 5G tank.

 

I guess the size also depends on your fish's personality. Mine is in a 15G, and if I had unlimited space and money, I'd get him a bigger one, because he's so active it almost feels too small. But I've also seen very docile bettas that sort of just float around, and I imagine they'd be perfectly happy in a 5G tank.

thanks!

 

A 5 is perfect for a Betta. I have 3 Fluval Spec V and its a perfect set up. I just needed to add heaters and a sponge to slow the flow. I keep live plants and each guy has a place to hide. I like a medium size gravel because it’s easier to vacuum and Betta hammocks. All 3 guys like the Java fern best to rest in. I’ve had Nerite snails but they are little poop factories so I’d rather clean algae myself. Good luck!

 

A 5 is perfect for a Betta. I have 3 Fluval Spec V and its a perfect set up. I just needed to add heaters and a sponge to slow the flow. I keep live plants and each guy has a place to hide. I like a medium size gravel because it’s easier to vacuum and Betta hammocks. All 3 guys like the Java fern best to rest in. I’ve had Nerite snails but they are little poop factories so I’d rather clean algae myself. Good luck!

I have never noticed any mess from my Nerite at all.

 

I was wondering what size tank I should get for a Betta. I have heard mixed opinions. Some people say that they will do fine in a bowl (Not getting a bowl), some people say 2.5 gallons is great, some say minimum 5, and others say they need at least 10. The betta I am thinking about getting has a very big tail, which I have heard that long tail bettas don’t swim around very much, and so I was wondering what size tank he would be happy in. Thank you in advance!
Also, which shape of tank is good? I’ve seen cube, round, hexagon tank shapes. What size would be best and also would the shape impact my future betta’s health?

 

Welcome to fishlore!
I think minimum 5gal, but like you said, there’s lots of different opinions. imo you can’t go wrong with a bigger tank. They’re also easier to keep stable.

 

I have a 3.5g, but a 5g would be better. I'm upgrading soon.

 

I would not put my bettas in anything smaller than a 5 gallon.
However...I think that 3 gallons would be the absolute minimum I would do if I had no other choice.

As far as tank shape, longer is better than taller. My preference is rectangle, but a cube would be okay too.

 

I was wondering what size tank I should get for a Betta. I have heard mixed opinions. Some people say that they will do fine in a bowl (Not getting a bowl), some people say 2.5 gallons is great, some say minimum 5, and others say they need at least 10. The betta I am thinking about getting has a very big tail, which I have heard that long tail bettas don’t swim around very much, and so I was wondering what size tank he would be happy in. Thank you in advance!
Also, which shape of tank is good? I’ve seen cube, round, hexagon tank shapes. What size would be best and also would the shape impact my future betta’s health?

I keep my halfmoon bettas in 10 gallons, and my plakats in 20 or 30 gallons, that's just my preference, you could get away with a 5 gallon, but it would be better for a 10 gallon.

 

Ok, thanks everybody! There is a tank on sale at my PetSmart. 3.5 gallon kit that I was thinking about getting. I might reconsider and get the 5.5 gallon tank instead although it is more expensive. The only problem is it is tall and not wide. Any recommendations as far as what a good tank would be and where I could buy it?
Thanks!

 

Walmart has this
Aqua Culture 5-Gallon Fish Tank LED Aquarium Starter Kit

It’s a decent little setup for a betta and it’s only $32

 

5 gallons is best I am just upgrading all my bettas from 2.5 gallons to 5 gallons and up and the ones that have already moved love all the space and have built huge bubble nests

if you can go bigger even better though I have always wanted a single betta in a heavy planted 20 gallon