Sophia's Aquatic Adventures

A Fintastic Betta Fish Blog

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Introducing…my Fish 🐟

Pearl (Missed, but not forgotten)

  • Hi, I’m Pearl, one of Sophia’s betta fish
  • I was a creamy white color with pink fins and tail and black scales.
  • Something really cool about me was that my tail glowed blue when Sophia turned on the lights.
  • I was a calm and friendly betta who loved to explore, but I would bite if someone bothered me!

UPDATE: Pearl unfortunately passed away a while ago. She is now in fish heaven, which has lush green aquatic plants, crystal clear waters, and bright sun! We made her a grave and gave her bright flowers. Pearl will always be remembered and missed.

Hope

  • Hello guys, nice to meet you! I’m Hope, Sophia’s other betta fish.
  • I am a white, red, and black koi betta fish.
  • I love to build bubble nests (I’m a male betta), chase my reflection, and eat food.
  • My favorite food is bloodworms, but I will eat ANYTHING!
  • I don’t like other betta fish—I did NOT get along with Pearl.
  • One cool thing about me is that I like to follow Sophia’s finger for food!

Lily (Glowlight Tetra)

  • Hey, I’m Lily. I am one of 3 glowlight tetras.
  • My best fishy friend, Bubblina, unfortunately passed away from hunger when Sophia went on vacation.
  • Also, a few of my neon tetra friends passed away due to stress. Swim in peace, Bubblina and neon tetras, you were very good fish!
  • Comet and Speedy, the other glowlight tetras, love chasing me for some reason!

Tiny (Neon Tetra)

  • My name is Tiny. I am one of 6 neon tetras.
  • I am the tiniest fish out of all my fish friends.
  • I love to hide in the pineapple house decoration at night.
  • I may be a tiny fish, but I have a BIG heart and I’m always willing to share!

Our Amazing Home!

Pearl’s Tank (20 Gallons)

  • I lived in a 20-gallon tank with my neon and glowlight tetra friends!
  • On the bottom, there are small rocks and multicolored stones, where I spend some time looking for food.
  • In the middle, there is a mini birdhouse that the tetras love, but I rarely went in (too crowded!).
  • My favorite place was the assortment of aquatic plants on the right, where I’d hide when stressed or taking a break.
  • On the left, there is a pineapple house and a silk plant.
  • Sophia draws pictures on the tank using Crayola window crayons and puts decorations outside the tank (like a mini calendar, stuffed animals, stickers, etc.).
  • At the top, there are the roots of a coinweed aquatic plant, which I loved swimming through and looking at.
  • There is a heater and filter; I sometimes swam in the filter current to get across the tank faster!

Note: Pearl’s tank has since been converted for her friends, since Hope has his own space.

Hope’s Tank (5 Gallons)

  • I live in my own 5-gallon tank31!
  • On the left, there are some aquatic plants I sometimes swim through.
  • In the middle, there is a fishbowl on its side that I occasionally swim inside.
  • At the top, there is a floating tunnel, but it moves a lot because of the filter, so I don’t like it much.
  • There is a heater and filter, and I love swimming through the filter—I think it is really fun!
  • I also like looking at the multicolored rocks and stones inside my tank.

Betta Fish Care / Myths

Betta Housing Needs

Betta fish need at least a 5-gallon tank with a heater and filter. A 2-3 gallon tank can only be used as a temporary housing option.

Betta in a Bowl (Likely)Betta in a Tank (Likely)
Bored Happy
Depressed Healthy
Too cold or too hot Lots of cool decorations and clean, warm water
Too much dirty water

Common Myths About Betta Fish

Myth #1: Betta fish breathe air from the surface of the water, so they don’t need a filter.

  • The Truth: While they do breathe air from the surface, they still need a filter to keep their water clean, prevent ammonia from building up, and stop mold growth in the tank.

Myth #2: Betta fish can live in plant vases eating only the roots of plants.

  • The Truth: This is NOT true. Betta fish are carnivores—they eat bugs in their natural habitat, not plant roots.
  • Sophia feeds her fish Hikari micro pellets, freeze-dried brine shrimp, Aqueon betta fish pellets (softened with water), freshwater fish flakes, and special flakes designed for tetras.
  • She also gives them very small amounts of fruit and vegetables as an occasional treat (once a week or less).
  • NEVER give fish citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruit due to their high acidity, which can mess with the water.

Myth #3: Betta fish live in puddles in the wild, so they thrive in small bowls.

  • The Truth: Betta fish do not live in puddles. Their natural habitat is rice paddies in Asia, which can be several miles long, giving them lots of space.
  • They sometimes jump from one puddle to another to move around, but they don’t live in a puddle. They need at least a 5-gallon tank for swimming space.

Myth #4: Building a bubble nest means a betta fish is happy.

  • The Truth: While it can mean a betta is happy, it most likely means it is ready to mate.
  • Betta fish can build bubble nests anywhere—in a small bowl or a large tank—so it doesn’t necessarily mean the environment makes them happy.

Betta Fish Tank Decorations

  • A great way to entertain your betta is to provide decorations.
  • Always make sure decorations have no sharp edges. If a plastic plant has sharp edges, use a scissor to snip them off.
  • You can put almost anything in the tank, EXCEPT:
    • Items with paint/marker/crayons on them.
    • Items that release or have toxic chemicals.
    • Human food.
    • Items with stickers (they can come off and float in the tank).
    • Anything magnetic.
  • It’s best to go for something that is labeled aquarium safe.