How Long Can A Male Betta Fish Live?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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on average live to be

2-4 years old

. The length of your betta fish's life is directly related to the environment you keep them in. By maintaining a clean tank and watching their diet, you can help them live a longer life.

Can a betta fish live for 7 years?


If raised under optimal conditions, the betta fish can live to approximately six years

, but in most cases a domesticated Betta fish will only live about half that time. This is because of the nutrition and living conditions are not always perfect.

Do betta fish get lonely?

Do They Get Lonely? Betta fish are naturally territorial and should not be housed with any other betta fish because they will fight and injure each other, often resulting in death.

They are unlikely to get lonely in their tank

; however, if they are in a small tank, they may get bored.

How long do male Bettas usually live?

Most bettas will live

3-5 years

, but it is unknown how old they are when you adopt them from the store. Some will live longer than that, and others will die young no matter what you do. Unfortunately, no matter what species of pet you have, some are just not setup to make it to old age.

How do I know if my betta fish is dying?

Other signs that offer a clue to knowing when a betta fish is about to die include

discoloration along the fish's body, such as white or brown spots

. Strange swimming movements or a shortening / eating away of the fins can also point to severe illnesses.

How do I give my betta fish the best life?

What is the oldest betta fish?

It is rumored that the oldest Betta Fish lived to be

TEN years old

and was raised in laboratory conditions, although there is no evidence to confirm this.

How old are betta fish at Petsmart?

Because a Betta purchased at a pet shop is often

one year old

already. Males, in particular, are allowed to fully mature, so their fins and colors are well developed. Females may be sold at a bit younger age, but they will generally be at least six months old when offered for sale.

What type of betta lives the longest?

Did you know? When you see older Betta fish, they interestingly tend to be of the veil tail variety. There is some speculation that the

red and blue veil tail Bettas

are the hardiest and live longest simply because they haven't been selectively bred as extensively.

How do I entertain my betta fish?

With patience and a little persistence, you can teach him to do things like

follow your finger, eat from your hand, swim through a hoop, play soccer, and even jump out of the water or come up to be petted

. Fish food is the best reinforcement for desired behavior.

Do betta fish get excited to see you?

Bettas can be a fun pet to care for because they can also recognize the person who often feeds them.

They give their greeting to their owners by showing excitement in the way they swim and by not hiding when their owners are near.

Do betta fish recognize their owners?


Yes, betta fish recognize their owners

. Some bettas get excited and swim to the front of the tank when their owners pass by. Bettas mostly associate their owners with food and playtimes, so the more you interact with your betta fish, the more likely they'll recognize you. Betta fish can also love their owners.

How long can a betta fish go without water change?

Betta fish that live in large tanks can survive

two to three weeks

without a water change, but only if you have a good filtering system in place. What is this? If your betta fish lives in an unfiltered tank, you need to replace 30% to 50% of the tank's water every week.

Do bettas sleep?


All fish, including bettas, sleep

. They don't require a soft bed or even eyelids, and most fish don't sleep like you or your fluffy pets. Instead, fish sleep in a state of low metabolism. Most of their brain function is shut down, but they still have the capacity to respond to any immediate threats.

How often do you change betta fish water?

How Often To Change Betta Water? Generally speaking, you'll want to change your Betta's water

about once a week

. Although betta fish can tolerate lower oxygen in water than other fish, there are other reasons to change the water. In terms of pH, betta fish prefer a 7.0 “neutral” pH.

Do betta fish feel pain?


Fish have the correct anatomy to receive pain signals

, they produce the same natural chemical painkillers that mammals do, and they consciously choose to avoid painful stimuli. They also experience emotions with which we humans can identify.

Why do bettas sink?

Sinking/Floating to the Top


If the swim bladder is deflated

, it will sink in the tank. If the fish has gulped in too much air while feeding, this may cause it to float to the top of the tank.

Can you save a dying betta fish?

However, if cared for properly, your Betta Fish can live for up to six, happy years. If you think your Betta Fish is dying,

there are many ways to treat its condition and revive it

. While most conditions are curable, a few may be fatal. In fact, Betta Fish are also known as Siamese fighting fish.

Do bettas get bored?


If you've got your betta in a small tank with no decoration, feeding him the same food every day with no change in his environment then he can quickly become bored

. And this boredom can often lead to depression and stress.

Can betta fish hear your voice?

They also use their senses to detect changes in the water's vibrations to find prey of their own. Keep in mind that betta fish do not have super hearing, and water will dampen sound. However,

yes, they can hear your voice

. They are not like a cat or a dog and can recognize their name.

Do bettas like mirrors?

As you probably know by now while

betta fish may not necessarily like mirrors

, they are extremely beneficial. They're going to improve your bettas wellbeing in a number of ways including: Letting them fulfill their natural instinct.

How do you tell a betta fish's age?

Can betta fish live together?


Yes. You can keep two bettas together, provided they are not both male

. Keeping two males together will surely end in a fight to the death.

How often do you feed a betta fish?

It is recommended to feed your betta fish two to four pellets,

once or twice per day

. Pellets expand when placed in water and are very filling for your betta fish. Freeze-dried or fresh food can be substituted for their pellet feeding 1 to 2 days per week.

What happens when a fish dies of old age?


Their Skin Becomes Discolored

. Like anyone suffering from old age, a fish will start to undergo discoloration in different parts of its body as the years go by. You will notice that its natural color will start to fade. It is even possible that the fish's body starts looking translucent.

What is betta fin rot?

What Is Fin Rot? Fin rot is

a condition usually caused by either the Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, or Vibrio bacteria

. While relatively easy to prevent, fin rot can be difficult to cure once it does set in, particularly in the more advanced stages.

How long do betta fish live without food?

As we've just mentioned, betta fish can survive between

10-14 days

without food. However, there are some major factors you should consider before leaving your betta fish unattended for such a long period of time.

Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.