Marine Betta: An Insider Guide To Caring For Your New Pet

marine betta
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Last Updated: October 15, 2023 by Flora Gibbins

Everybody likes to have a beautiful, healthy fish tank at home or in the office. There are plenty of freshwater fish choices, but there are fewer options when it comes to saltwater aquariums. The marine betta has become one of the most popular species for saltwater tanks.

Their stunning colors and large size make them a perfect fit for any display. It resembles the head of a moray eel due to its eyespot and the fundamental form of the fish’s front section.

This guide will look at these interesting creatures and provide everything you need to know about how they can be appropriately cared for in your home or office aquarium.

What is a Marine Betta?

marine betta image

The marine betta, also known as the saltwater betta fish, is a species of tropical fish native to Indonesia.These shy, secretive fish resemble the freshwater Siamese Fighting fish.They are popular for their striking coloration and large size.

They can grow anywhere from three to five inches in length, depending on the species and marine betta care. This makes them one of the larger species of fish that can be kept in small tanks.

The look of the marine betta and its eyespot is supposed to be designed to fool predators into believing it is a moray eel.

The marine betta is typically greenish silver or bronze in color. The males have long fins with a flowing quality to them. The dorsal fin is longer than those found on any other species of fish. They are also more robust and powerful, but they are still reasonably delicate.

Marine bettas have a unique, streamlined shape that helps them swim quickly through tight areas in the wild. They don’t have any pelvic fins, and their tail fin is asymmetrical to allow for quick turns and twists.

This makes it easy for them to find food and escape from larger predators such as crocodiles or bigger fish.

This species has been sold as a popular aquarium fish for many years. They are available in many sizes, with a broad selection of color types, including red, blue, yellow, black, orange, lavender, and white. The most popular choice for show purposes is often the red-eye betta with vibrant red eyes “almost hypnotic.”

Size

marine betta underwater

The marine betta size will depend on the species you choose to keep and how long it stays healthy in captivity. Most species can grow three to five inches in length as adult marine betta, with some species reaching six inches or more in length.

The longest recorded betta was six-and-a-half inches long and lived for five years. This proves that these fish are fairly hardy and can live for a long time when given proper care.

Diet And Nutrition

This saltwater fish is omnivorous and carnivorous. All marine bettas should be fed a high protein diet. This will help them grow to their full potential in their aquarium.

tubifex worms

The marine betta does not require any additional nutritional supplements, but some of their other natural requirements can be met by feeding a varied diet that includes live foods such as ornamental shrimp, flakes, and tubifex worms.

The marine betta has a large stomach and can consume more than 300 types of prepared foods and live foods.

Some examples of food include daphnia, ornamental shrimp, spirulina, protein pellets, chopped vegetables such as peas and spinach, fresh peas, fresh lettuce, fresh carrot, and broccoli florets frozen foods, or fresh.

Habitat

marine betta in an aquarim with other fish species

The marine betta is an exotic fish that can be kept in freshwater aquariums, marine aquariums, and even outdoor ponds. These tropical fish are relatively hardy and can live in many different conditions.

They will do well with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.5 and a temperature of 76 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit (24 to 28 degrees Celsius) or higher. Some species of marine bettas can live in saltwater without problems, but most will not survive if they are introduced to salty ocean water without some acclimation.

Fun Fact: Like any other creatures, betta fish as well as other aquatic fish species, need time to acclimate to their new environment. Forcing them to immediately blend in will cause serious health issues that could even lead to death! Read our article on How To Transfer Betta Fish From Cup To Tank: Pros And Cons for better guidance.

Breeding Saltwater Fish

Breeding the marine betta is usually easy. Most hobbyists who have been keeping these fish for any time will tell you that their marine bettas will often breed in captivity.

aquarium underwater setup

These fish need to be kept in large containers (at least five gallons), or they can be allowed to breed in aquariums with no dividers.

Freshwater tanks are not appropriate to breed marine bettas because they are unlikely to provide the right conditions needed by these fish.

In some home aquariums, male and female marine bettas will mate and lay eggs, but there is a good chance that the eggs will not survive due to unstable water conditions. In larger saltwater tanks, females may lay as many as 200 eggs.

Tank Mates

Marine bettas can be kept with other fish and invertebrate species, but they are not recommended with most other types of tropical fish. They may harm their tank mates or cause severe stress on the other species.

If a marine betta is kept in the same enclosure as a clownfish, an anemone, or some other species, they should each have a separate aquarium to be properly cared for.

If you decide to keep these fish with another type of tropical fish that is not compatible, there are some ways to keep them happy and healthy:

  • Species compatibility: You should research the different types of tropical fish online to see which ones are compatible. Some larger and aggressive fish can be kept with the betta, but you will most likely have to keep them in separate aquariums even if they both need large tanks or ponds.
  • Tank size: If you have to keep a marine betta in the same tank with another tropical fish, you must ensure that it will not bully or hurt the other fish species. The minimum marine betta tank size should be at least 20 gallons for each aquatic creature. In some cases, a 50-gallon tank is needed for each fish and another 10 gallons just for plants and decorations (if using an all-glass setup).
  • Get a divider: Even if you have two or three large aquariums, it is good to get a divider that will separate the fish within each tank. This will allow them to swim in their own “territory” and not worry about another fish harassing or hurting them.

Other species will usually be safe for marine bettas as long as they have not been exposed to aggressive male bettas at some point in their lives. They may also fight with other bettas, so it is best to keep them separate in the home aquarium.

Fun Fact: Bettas normally thrive peacefully with one another (unless one specie decides otherwise) and it’s fun to see them swimming about without any care in the world. There are two interesting betta species that we like to introduce to you — betta unimaculata and purple betta — and try out! Tell us your experience with them afterward.

Keep Your Marine Betta Healthy

The health of the marine betta is dependent on how well you can maintain the saltwater tank.

There is more to it than just adding food and water.

Achieving optimum health and longevity of your marine betta will involve detailed testing of the water itself and temperature, and frequent cleaning. The following tips will help you take care of your marine betta:

  • Purchase a test kit: You need to know when to change the water in the tank, add mineral supplements or alter the diet. To properly test the water, you need a good test kit that will provide you with accurate readings.
  • Keep the tank clean: Your marine betta needs a clean environment to live in. Create a routine for keeping the tank up to date and keep it as ready for saltwater betta fish as possible.
  • Add some plants: Adding some plants can help with water circulation and make your saltwater aquarium look more inviting. The more oxygen in the water, the better it will be for your marine betta.

You can also use some anemone or an echinoderm species to provide a hiding spot for your fish. These will entice them to eat, which will be good for their health.

  • Add some fish: You can use a tetra or other small, peaceful fish species to help keep the marine betta in the tank. Smaller species will generally not be able to hurt the marine betta and should not bother them unless they are ultra-aggressive and try to bully them out of the feeding area or territory.
  • Check the temp: A suitable temperature for your saltwater aquarium is 76-82 degrees Fahrenheit (24-28 degrees Celsius).

The saltwater itself can be changed to different temperatures depending on your personal preferences, but you need to make sure it is stable throughout the cooler seasons and at least a couple of degrees above normal room temperatures.

  • Salt or marine salt: You must use salt or marine salt in your marine betta tank. You can find a good, tiny aquarium salt that will provide mineral salts and bicarbonate to keep your fish healthy.

Differences Between Marine Betta and Freshwater Bettas

Marine Betta’s are hardier than their freshwater counterparts, but they still require specific conditions. They have adapted to various environments and can survive in almost any water condition. They are also very territorial and will usually fight with other fish if allowed.

Marine Betta lives in areas with a high salt level but still has fresh water flowing through it. If this is not the case, the Marine Bettas will die.

However, they can survive in brackish conditions, not having to be entirely freshwater or saltwater.

Marine Bettas are more aggressive tank mates than freshwater Bettas and require more care and attention from their owners. Different prepared foods are needed depending on whether it is saltwater or freshwater; there might also be some differences between male and female bettas and different Marine Bettas like the AquaBetta or the Megabetta.

It is important to remember that, although the Marine Betta’s are hardier and will survive in a broader range of temperatures and water conditions, they still need a proper habitat and the right amount of care to thrive.

Pros of Keeping Marine Bettas as Pets

  • They are very hardy. They can survive in a wide variety of water conditions, including salt or fresh, as long as there is plenty for them to eat. They will even survive in brackish water with half salt and half freshwater, which is closer to the conditions that they live in in the wild.
  • They are very beautiful. Their colors are vibrant, and their scales shimmer in the light.
  • They can be very entertaining. They will move back and forth in the water, looking for food or watching out for predators in the area. One of their favorite activities is swimming around the tank, observing their surroundings, and doing a funny yet graceful dance with their fins at the water’s surface.
  • They can be very gentle creatures with people they trust and know well enough not to hurt them. They will not generally bite or scratch but can be very protective of their territory.
  • They are great for stress relief and relaxation. Watching one fish swim around its tank can help take your mind off things in the outside world and help you relax while you watch them interact with each other and their surroundings.

Does Marine Betta Eat All Small Fish?

In the wild, many marine bettas will eat small fish and other small species of aquatic life. In captive environments with small fish, they will not be as willing to eat them.

They are very resourceful and can easily adapt to their food sources. If you keep your marine betta tank full of frozen foods or live shrimp and brine shrimp, they may start eating those instead of other foods (other than live brine shrimp).

When the amount available in the tank drops low, the fish may stop eating different food items altogether.

Marine Betta: Interesting Behaviors

Marine Betta Fish is known as the clownfish of the sea.

They display many entertaining behaviors in their home aquariums.

All marine bettas are curious creatures who will spend their time exploring their environment and having fun.

Marine Betta Fish like to swim, ” hunt,” and hover over food to see if it can be caught.

Marine Betta Fish are very protective of their eggs and young fry. If a male is present, they will guard them constantly. They may even engage in aggressive behavior towards other Fish that threaten the fry or eggs.

Male Marine Betta Fish are more aggressive tank mates than females and will chirp, flap their fins and push away other males in the tank.

The males of the species have very large fins, sometimes out to almost their base. In a group of nines, they can be up to 1-1/2 inches (3-5 cm) long. The fins are very distinctive, a long fin with a large black spot in the middle (on top of the Fish).

The males often perform courtship displays. These include strutting around in front of females with their fins raised and making a chirping sound.

Marine Betta Fish can be kept singly or in small 2-6 fish groups. They can also be kept in large aquariums with several gallons of water.

They are relatively easy to care for in the aquarium and more than willing to be entertained by their surroundings. They are known to jump in the air, swim around frantically and even nibble on other Fish that get too close.

Their characteristics make them one of the most popular fish species kept in home aquariums as companion pets.

Is Marine Betta Suitable For Your Aquarium?

The marine betta is a perfect choice for beginners because of its size. They are usually very hardy and healthy fish and are easy to care for. If this is your first fish, you should start with a minimum of five gallons of water in the home aquarium.

What About The Saltwater Reef Tank?

At least 20 gallons of water is needed for one marine betta, and at least 40 gallons is best.This allows the betta to spread its dorsal fin out, swim around and show off to other tank mates without feeling too cramped.

The water level should be kept at least two inches above the head of the fish. They do not like to be covered with water, so make sure there are no problems with evaporation and that the substrate does not dry out too quickly.

Lighting

The lighting should be kept on for about eight hours a day, depending on how much sunlight hits the aquarium from outside aquariums.

Marine species like the saltwater betta can be kept in conjunction with marine betta reef safe aquariums as long as they have been appropriately acclimated.

Marine species can tolerate some saltwater conditions, but there are still some risks involved if you introduce these fish to saltwater tanks that have been left alone for months or years without acclimation.

When the marine betta is first introduced to saltwater, a period of adjustment must occur. The fish’s gills will need time to adjust, and they may even stop breathing for a while. You can help them adjust by keeping the salinity at around 1.008.

Once you introduce the betta to salinity levels above 1.008, it may take up to a few hours before he starts breathing again because of the higher concentration of salt in the water. The salt will simply be cleansing his gills and helping him to adjust.

The betta can easily be acclimated to the saltwater environment in a home aquarium by adding the marine salt mix to your tank. This will provide the extra nutrient needed for the marine fish when introduced to saltwater as it is a very hardy fish.

If you use an all-glass aquarium, you can also add calcium carbonate (like coral sand) into the tank during acclimation to help increase the salinity of your water and make sure that it does not get too low during cleaning.

Fun Fact: Betta fish is quite a catch to beginners and even professional aquarium owners. Pricing is one factor that makes this aquatic pet popular. Read our article on Betta Fish Price: Your Ultimate Guide On Betta Fish Cost for more information.

Conclusion

The marine betta fish is a stunning addition to a saltwater aquarium. These fish are native to South East Asia’s reefs and coastal waters and can be seen living in the wild.

They are an open-ocean species that feed on crustaceans. They have large mouths that extend almost their entire head and have teeth strong enough to crush the shells of their prey.

They typically measure between three and five inches long in the wild, but they can grow exponentially larger in captivity. There are several different color strains available in captivity, with patterns varying greatly from one strain to another.

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