5 Best Betta Fish Tank Designs And Accessories

Ready to adopt a new finned friend? With its vibrant colors and fluttering tails, a beautiful betta makes an excellent pet fish for beginner and experienced fish keepers alike. Betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish— are tropical freshwater fish native to Thailand and surrounding Southeast Asia. Compared to other fish species, they're easy to care for, hardier, and require less space.

But before you head to the pet store, it's important to understand your new pet betta fish care and requirements. You'll need to set up their tank and ensure they've got everything they need to thrive in their new home. Below, we've rounded up all the supplies you'll need to build the best betta fish tank for your new pet.

All the Supplies Your Betta Fish Tank Needs

Betta Fish Tanks and Aquarium Kits

Betta fish live best in a good-sized tank and should be kept in their own tank, separate from other community fish and other betta fish. The same rule also applies to female bettas and male bettas. Due to their territorial nature, bettas act aggressively towards other fish, often resulting in injury or death. To keep your school of fish safe, your betta will need its own small tank where it can swim, eat, and rest away from perceived danger.

One of the biggest questions within the aquarium hobby is how big should your aquarium be? A single betta fish requires at least a 3-gallon tank in size. Opt for a 4- to 5-gallon tank or even large tank that provides your pet with enough room to swim comfortably for a happier and healthier pet. Wild betta has territories of up to three square feet, so the bigger the tank you provide, the more closely they mimic their natural environment.

This sleek biOrb Square Aquarium Tank offers a modern approach to a traditional tank style. Its clean-lined design is constructed with acrylic instead of glass for added durability and an unobstructed view into your aquarium. The acrylic tank is 10x stronger, 50% lighter, and 93% clearer than its glass counterparts. It comes equipped with LED lights and a 5-stage filtration system to keep your tank looking pristine. Choose from eight and sixteen-gallon options with a white, black, or transparent lid.

There's the Spec Aquarium Kit from Fluval for first-time betta fish owners. It's simple to set up and maintain thanks to a built-in circulation pump and a 3-stage filtration system. The minimalist design is made from etched glass with sleek aluminum trim and bright LED lights to illuminate your fish's colorful tail. With 2.6-gallon and 5-gallon options to choose from, it's the perfect tabletop tank for an office or children's room.

Show off your betta fish in style with this Valazquez Round Aquarium Tank. The spherical shape uses a hidden waterline to create a seamless appearance. Halo lighting around the rim can cycle through sixteen preset colors using a handy remote control. An air pump and filtration system filter out impurities and boost oxygen levels for happier, healthier fish. A convenient feed hole at the top means you won't need to remove the lid during mealtime.

Turn your betta habitat into an underwater fluorescent display with this 5-gallon Aquarium Kit from GloFish. The tabletop tank is equipped with white and blue LED lights that give fluorescent and tropical fish a vibrant appearance. A built-in filter cartridge keeps the water clean and healthy for your pet. Add fluorescent aquarium gravel and other decorations that glow for an even more impressive display.

Water Treatment

Heavy metals in most tap water can cause gill damage, breathing difficulty, stress, and other health problems. Treating your tank water with a water conditioner or other water treatment ensures it's a safe environment by removing any harmful chemicals for your betta fish. Just be sure to double-check the product is betta-safe before adding it to your tank.

API Tap Water Conditioner

This versatile API Tap Water Conditioner is the perfect way to prep your betta tank for a new arrival. Use during start-up or when changing the tank water to dechlorinate your tap water and remove harmful heavy metals. It's ultra-concentrated, so you only need a teaspoon to treat ten gallons.

API Quick Start Aquarium Water Treatment

API's Quick Start Aquarium Water Treatment contains unique, patented bacteria that remove ammonia and nitrites on contact. Unlike other water conditioners, fish can be added right away, making it an excellent option for water and filter changes.

Thermometer

For your betta fish to thrive, the temperature of your betta tank will need to stay between 75 and 80 degrees F. Colder temperatures can weaken your betta's immune system and make them susceptible to deadly diseases. But tank water that's too warm can cause stress and premature aging. An aquarium thermometer makes it easy to keep your tank at just the right temperature.

SunGrow Digital Betta Fish Aquarium Thermometer

Try the SunGrow Digital Betta Fish Aquarium Thermometer for easy water temperature control. The LCD screen sticks to the outside of the tank with a suction cup and displays an accurate temperature read with the press of a button. It'll display an H when the temperature rises too high and an L when it drops too low.

SunGrow Betta Fish Aquarium Thermometer Sticker

This SunGrow Betta Fish Aquarium Thermometer Sticker offers an easy way to monitor your tank's water temperature. Just fasten the stick to the outside of your tank, and it'll provide an accurate read of the water temperature inside. The black background with white numbers makes it easy to spot the current temperature in blue.

Heater

To ensure your tank water stays at an ambient 75-80 degrees F, you'll need to use a small tank heater. It'll also prevent illnesses, such as fur coat syndrome, caused by quick shifts in water temperature.

SunGrow Halfmoon Betta Aquarium Heater

Keep your tank at the perfect temperature with this Halfmoon Betta Aquarium Heater from SunGrow. The built-in electronic thermostat helps automatically maintain the water temperature around 75 degrees F without requiring manual adjustments. Plus, it attaches easily to the side of your tank with the suction cups included.

Marina Betta Submersible Aquarium Heater

Keep your betta comfortable with this Submersible Aquarium Heater from Marina. The 8-watt heater helps create the ideal water conditions so your betta can live a happy, healthy life. Its exterior is made with a durable polymer that's more resilient than traditional glass sleeve heaters.

Filter

Poor water quality and sudden water changes can negatively impact the health of your betta fish. They thrive in filtered tanks with stable water parameters, and using a betta-safe aquarium filter ensures their water stays clean and oxygenated.

Aqueon Betta Filter with Volcano

This Betta Filter with Volcano from Aqueon cleans your tank without detracting from its appearance. The practical filter comes disguised as a small volcano, complete with air bubbles to entertain fish and enrich the water with oxygen. Inside, carbon and sponge cartridges improve water quality for crystal clear water and healthy fish. An air pump (sold separately) is required for operation.

Aqueon Natural Plant Betta Fish Filter

The leafy appearance of this Aqueon Natural Plant Betta Fish Filter disguises the filter inside for a more aesthetic aquarium. It's specially designed to filter water in small betta fish tanks up to 3 gallons. The practical filter comes with airline tubing, airline tubing suction cups, and an air adjustment valve and checks valve. An air pump (sold separately) is required for operation.

Decorations

The best betta fish tanks are filled with live plants, gravel, and other decorations. Not only do these additions make for a more attractive aquarium, but they will keep your fish happy too.

Zoo Med Floating Betta Log

This Floating Betta Log helps relieve boredom and alleviate stress. The circular log provides your betta fish with a comfortable place to sleep, play, breed, feed, and blow bubbles. Placing food in the top 'feeding hole' will help encourage your betta to use their new toy. The floating decoration should only be used in tanks larger than 2 gallons.

SunGrow Natural Coconut Betta Fish Cave Ornament

Give your finned friend somewhere to hide with this SunGrow Natural Coconut Betta Fish Cave Ornament. The half coconut shell provides a safe space to hide, breed, and spawn. Unlike most plastic aquarium decorations, it's made using all-natural materials. The coconut shell can also be used in dry environments for lizards, geckos, hermit crabs, frogs, and other small amphibians.

Zoo Med Betta Bed Leaf Hammock

Offer your betta fish a comfortable spot to rest with this Betta Bed Leaf Hammock from Zoo Med. The faux leaf attaches to the enclosure wall using a suction cup, allowing your fish to rest near the surface of the water and conserve their energy. It's great for larger fish like King, Dumbo, Rose Tail, and Double Tail Bettas.

Pisces USA Betta Aquarium Jewels

Bring out the colors in your betta's tail with these brightly-colored Betta Aquarium Jewels from Pisces USA. They're made from recycled glass, making them safe and non-toxic for all fish. Poured in the bottom of your tank, they'll create an eye-catching shimmering effect that's sure to impress.

Aquarium Lighting

A well-lit aquarium shows off your betta's beautiful colors and fluttering tail. Just be sure to turn off the aquarium light at night, as bettas prefer to sleep in darker environments.

Aqueon Betta LED Light

For an easy aquarium lighting solution, try this Aqueon Betta LED Light. It lights up small tabletop aquariums up to 3 gallons using a micro USB cable or three AAA batteries.

SunGrow Betta Fish Tank LED Aquarium Light

Brighten up your betta's home with this SunGrow Betta Fish Tank LED Aquarium Light. The screw-on metal arm clamps onto the tank edge for easy adjustments.  With white and blue light settings to choose from, it's suitable for both day and night use.

FAQ

What are the best live plants for betta fish?

Here is a list of best plants for your betta fish: java fern, anubias, marimo moss ball, cryptocoryne, water sprite, betta bulb, sword plant, vallisneria, pogostemon stellatus 'octopus,' floating plants, pennywort, duckweed, and hygrophila.

Should you consider fake plants for your tank?

While there are plenty of fake plant options out on the market that make decorating and caring for your betta tank much easier, we recommend live options. The live options not only help clean and filter the water, but they will also bring out more engagement from the fish.

How to decorate a betta fish tank?

Here is some decor you can consider adding to your betta fish tank: rocks, plants, and driftwood. You want to create a safe environment for the fish to feel safe and natural. Avoid adding any shells or coral gravel as they contain calcium which will affect your tank pH level. Also, avoid any metal decor as they will rust over time and can be extremely harmful to your fish. And lastly, avoid anything that has sharp edges as they can cut the body of your betta.

Do betta fish tanks need a heater?

Betta fish are tropical fish and thrive in tropical conditions year-round. Unless your space consistently stays in the mid-70s at the lowest, you should add a heater to keep it warm.

Do betta fish tanks need air pumps?

Betta fish has a special respiratory organ called a labyrinth. This organ allows them to breathe a very small amount of air in addition to their gills. For this reason, betta fish can survive without an air pump.

When to clean a betta fish tank?

Any betta fish tank size below 5 gallons should be cleaned weekly. A larger tank between 15 and 20 gallons should be cleaned once or twice a month.

Amazing Betta Fish Tank Set Up Videos