I recently got a betta and nursed him back to health in a 3 gallon tank. It’s now fully cycled, he’s doing amazing, and he loves his tank so much. It has plants, wood, and room for him to swim around.
While I do want to give him more space(and I’m willing if that’s what he needs), he is very content in where he’s living and he doesn’t seem to be cramped. Something I take note of is he actually gets stressed when he has too much room and clear area to swim, and didn’t calm down until he had more areas to hide and swim through. Would it genuinely be terrible if I kept him in the 3 gallon or do I need to upgrade it?
https://i.redd.it/4wiucjc5yq0g1.jpeg
Posted by CarlyCalicoJATIE
3 Comments
It’s better than a little cup at a pet store, but not optimal based on general consensus. It’s still a little confined but maybe some bettas like smaller spaces? We can’t really ask the fish. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
First off, great job getting him back to full health!
Personally, a 3 gallon is still ok for a log fin like he is. Easier for him to relax and move around to the surface.
A long 5 gallon would be a great upgrade, but I’d also recommend getting more plants for him to stay hidden in! By the time that’s cycled and ready (which shouldn’t take too long if you use established filter media), he should be ready to move. And keep the 3 gallon as a backup in case he gets too stressed or if you need a quarantine/hospital tank again! Just keep it full of water and filter running.
It looks like you have wood and plants in the tank, I’d say 3 gallon is fine for a long fin, especially an elephant ear. As he gets bigger, if you see him constantly swimming around you could consider a larger tank. I have a long fin in a 3 gallon that is heavily planted… he lives exploring amongst the stems/leaves & keeping the snails in line. I may move him to a bigger tank later, but this one is by my bed and he’s very social.