Acclimating betta fish is very, very important! If you just bought a betta fish and you’re thinking okay now what, you should be thinking of acclimation. Everyone gets excited for a new betta no matter if it’s the first or the twenty-first. We always want to immediately introduce them into the tank so we can watch them explore and make them happy, but please resist that temptation.
At the bare minimum, check for proper pH and temperature. Bettas are extremely sensitive to changes in their environment and any sudden alterations in water parameters or temperature could cause them a lot of stress. Stress leads to shock, and susceptibility to illness, and could even cause death!
If you purchased your betta at a pet store they’ll likely come in a plastic cup or bag. A simple car ride can be stressful because of bumps and temperature changes. Try not to make extra stops on your way home, and if possible bring a box. If you forget, ask for a cardboard pet carrier to transport your betta.
Temporary plastic cups contain a small amount of water, and the temperature of that water can fluctuate very easily. A box with a lid and washcloths or a t-shirt surrounding the cup or bag will help reduce this problem.
Betta Acclimation Scenarios
Once your betta is home, remember that day one of care is important for future health. There are several different scenarios when it comes to acclimation. You may be adding your new betta fish to a fully functional community tank, setting up a brand new aquarium, or introducing your betta to a tank that has been properly cycled for 2-3 weeks. Read whichever section pertains to your current situation.
Acclimating to a Community Tank
Before acclimating your betta fish to a community tank, you should quarantine him or her for 2-4 weeks. Depending on where you purchase your betta, they may carry common diseases and parasites. This time allows you to treat for any visible signs of disease before introducing the new betta with other healthy fish. If you forego the quarantine, you risk getting all of your fish sick. Quarantining is the safest way to introduce betta fish to other fish. It is also the safest way to introduce tank mates to your betta fish. After this step, you may move on to the next section.
Acclimating to a 100% New Water Tank
If you don’t already have your betta’s tank set up and cycled, you should prepare the tank by following these safety procedures. This should be done a day ahead of your betta’s arrival. Rinse all decorations, substrate, filters, thermometers, and heaters in hot tap water for several minutes. This will help remove dust, debris, and other bacteria that could harm your fish.
Next, fill the aquarium or tank with lukewarm tap water approximately 2-3 inches below the top. Then add betta dechlorination drops by following the instructions on the reverse of the bottle. Do not use distilled water or other similar water that has been stripped of essential nutrients that are beneficial to the health of your fish. Insert and install any remaining decorations and plants, the thermometer, heater, and any filtration units according to the supplied instructions. If a proper nitrogen cycle has not been established over several weeks or longer, I recommend adding some healthy starter bacteria before adding your betta. A product like API Quickstart will help immediately kick off the aquarium cycle.
Acclimating to a Cycled Tank
If your aquarium is already set up and cycled congratulations! You may now move on to the next steps below.
Acclimating After a Full Tank Cleaning
Acclimate your betta after prolonged full tank cleanings where they are removed from their habitat and placed in temporary housing. This will limit stress from any temperature and parameter fluctuations.
How To Acclimate A Betta Fish
After completing your step above, you may begin testing, acclimating, and transferring your betta fish to their tank. Betta fish prefer a pH between 6-7 and simple test strips can be purchased to obtain readings. The recommended temperature of the aquarium’s water should fall roughly between 76 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit since betta fish are tropical fish. If your community tank is much lower because of other species’ requirements, a betta fish is probably not ideal for that tank.
- Measure and record the pH and temperature of the water inside the existing container or tank.
- Measure and record the pH and temperature of the water inside the aquarium you are introducing your betta into.
- Compare your recorded measurements to determine if they match. If they do, you may introduce your betta to its new habitat (very unlikely).
- Place and float the plastic bag or cup in the aquarium. This will allow the tank’s water to surround the cup or bag and reach an equilibrium temperature. This should take approximately 15-20 minutes. It could be much longer (45+ minutes) if you started with drastically different readings.
- To reach a similar pH level, introduce a small amount of the new tank’s water into the cup or bag every 5 minutes. This will slowly increase or decrease the pH, allowing your betta to acclimate to the new pH slowly instead of drastically.
- Once the acclimation process is complete, carefully allow your betta to swim into its new home. Avoid dumping the cup or bag and all its water into the tank.
What is the Drip Method?
The drip acclimation procedure uses a piece of plastic airline tubing (long enough to reach from your tank to the cup) and the aquarium and bag or cup your betta came in. This method acclimates fish very slowly and is one of the safest methods you can do. It is, however, more complicated.
- Remove excess water in the container your betta fish is in. You want it to be approximately 45-50% full. We’ll be adding more water during the acclimation process.
- Your aquarium must be higher than your cup or bag. We’ll be using the power of gravity to slowly introduce tank water.
- Tie a knot close to the center of the airline tubing and make sure it’s tight. This will control the water flow making sure it is slow and steady.
- Place one end into the water in the aquarium (tape if necessary to hold it in place).
- Use your mouth to generate suction as if drinking from a straw. Once the water starts flowing past the knot, remove the end from your mouth and place it in the top hole of the cup or in the plastic bag.
- The drip rate should be 1 drop every 1-2 seconds. If it’s dripping too fast, try securing another tight knot in the airline to further regulate the flow of aquarium water.
- Don’t let the bag or cup overflow, stop when you have approximately 50% initial water and 50% new aquarium water.
- You may now introduce your betta slowly into his or her new home.
Proper acclimation is all about being slow and steady. Take your time and don’t rush the process. Think of the last time you were in the shower and someone flushed the toilet. That sudden jolt of hot water probably stressed you out right? The same goes for a betta fish being introduced into a new habitat, except on a much larger scale.
Monitor your betta fish closely after acclimation and the first week for signs of stress (e.g. fin clamping, color loss). It’s common for a betta fish to refuse to eat for several days after acclimation. This is especially true when introducing a betta to a new habitat. These factors will depend on the individual betta and the stress endured.
