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You may not take your betta fish for a walk, but this aquatic pet still needs daily activity. Petco shares how to encourage daily exercise and play into your betta fish's life.
Updated on July 17th, 2026
Learn how to safely handle your aquatic life to avoid toxin & bacterial exposure. Find aquatic life care supplies at your neighborhood Petco pet care center.
Updated on October 23rd, 2025

Read about Habitattitude and Petco's commitment to protect our environment. At Petco, animals always come first. Learn how you can help.
Updated on October 23rd, 2025
Learn how to care for Freshwater Shrimp, recommended diet & aquarium setup. Find the right food, supplies & equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on April 9th, 2026
Learn how to take care of Puffer Fish, recommended diet and tank size. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on April 9th, 2026
Betta are definitively very territorial and you may notice multiple fights for space at the beginning. Definitively the aquarium must have multiple spots for hiding like Terra Cotta Flowerpots and PVC Piping, moss or bushy plants, ornaments, rocks and driftwoods. This will avoid open fights and will provide good places to have some rest.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
By your description, there may be seversl issues here. Check the water chemistry and quality. Use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. Ideally, you want the following parameters: 0 ppm ammonia, 0 ppm nitrites, 20 ppm or less nitrates, pH around 7, water temperature between 78 F and 80 F. Perform partial water changes to stabilize chemistry and/or to improve water quality. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock. Decrease the water level to make it easier for your fish to surface. Fast him for 2-3 days then feed bits of cooked and shelled green peas until swimming and defecation are normal. If he remains bloated, prepare a bowl of water at the proper temperature and dissolve 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt for each gallon. Allow for a 15-30 minute swim once or twice daily. In the main tank, use an antibiotic, such ad Kanaplex or Maracyn, to treat infection/fin rot. A conditioner such as StressCoat can also help fins. These products can be found in the aquarium section of the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Norman. If the Betta tank is currently empty, I would suggest changing the gravel and cleaning it very well before putting another fish in it. Make sure to change the water regularly as this is often the cause of issues with Betta fish. Best of luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Recheck water chemistry to confirm 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20 ppm or less. A pH of 7 is fine and they can adjust to more acidic water as long as the change is gradual. Temperature should range between 78 F and 80 F. Plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt or epsom salt) can be used as a general tonic to reduce stress, improve gill function, treat minor infection and aid in recovery. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt per gallon of water in a cup or two of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Perform partial water changes every couple of days to maintain water quality. Treat only the volume of water being replaced. Treat with aquarium salt for no more than 14 days then reassess the condition. An antibiotic, such as kanamycin or erythromycin, can be found in the aquarium section of the local Petco if the salt treatment doesn't help. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
As long as you are properly setting up the environment for your new fish, not stressing him out too much, and making sure he is happy and healthy, he shouldn't pass away at a certain time of day. A google search can give you a myriad of information about how to care for your betta, however most do best in an actual tank with a proper filter and heater to keep things warm and fresh, a lid to keep active bettas from jumping out and becoming injured, and for males, no other bettas or aggressive fish in the tank. If you're unsure if your tank environment is safe, most pet stores will test water samples for free and point you in the direction of any changes you need to make.
Updated on September 24th, 2025