Betta fish are one of the most popular kinds of fish that people keep in home aquariums, which isn’t super surprising. They’re charismatic little creatures, with bright colors and ruffle-y fins that are beautiful to look at.
Betta fish, whose scientific name is Betta splendens, are native to Thailand, and they also have introduced, wild populations in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brazil, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic. They’re tropical fish that like to live in still and slow-flowing waters, such as swamps, streams, ponds, rice paddies and roadside ditches. Traditionally, people raised them to fight each other, while spectators placed bets on which fish would win. Because of this colorful history (pun intended), they’re also called Siamese Fighting Fish.
Betta fish are lovely to keep around, and as you know, fish are one of the most low-maintenance pets you can have. However, you do need to give them some regular care, so they stay healthy and happy in their aquarium – their home within your home. One crucial thing you need to do is to make sure your bettas are kept in water that’s at the correct temperature.
What temperature do betta fish prefer and why?
Photo courtesy of LoveToKnow
In the wild, betta fish live in tropical areas. So when you keep bettas in an aquarium at home, they’ll still need the warm water habitat that they’re used to. In fact, they have a pretty narrow ideal temperature range – the most optimal being 78-80º F (s25.5-26.5º C).
Although betta fish can tolerate temperatures ranging between 72-86º F (22-30º C), if the water is outside of their ideal range, they’re just surviving — not thriving. It’s kind of like when you go into a hot sauna, or when are outside in the frigid cold: you’re alive, but you’re not comfortable.
