Looks like a lovely tank! And personally... I've had betta fish that have been happy and healthy and lived for years in a 2 gallon tank. Granted, I'm sure they enjoy a larger tank, but I'm sure 2.5 is adequate. Idea conditions would be a rather expansive, flooded rice field, right? So I'd say whatever you can give him (in gallons) is just fine. I have a two bettas in a divided 5 gallon with a cardinal plant. I do have a filter on mine - and they seem like very happy, carefree fish.

Best wishes in your venture! Is this the first Betta you've owned?

Thank you. It is and I'm a bit mad at myself. This morning I couldn't find him. I even looked on the floor thinking he may have jumped. He buried himself in the stones and tore his fin pretty badly.

I immediately did a 100% water and changed the stones to aquarium pebbles. I'm headed to the pet store now for aquarium salt to treat his fins. I'm bummed.

Top was yesterday, bottom is today. Give it to me straight. How bad is it? He doesn't seemed to be stressed otherwise and is eating/swimming fine.

wow - never seen a betta his color! beautiful. i doubt the fin will cause any trouble for him. sounds like you are taking good care of him!

Hello,

Bettas are tropical fish and need their water temperature to be between 76 and 80 degrees F. You will most likely need to get a heater unless you keep your house very warm (get a thermometer to test the water temp). His fins look clamped, which commonly happens when they are too cold.

Thanks. I regularly check the temp and it's usually around 79. I do like my house around 78 and this tank sits in a very bright south facing window in South Florida. I would agree that he looks clamped. Unfortunately, this was part of my learning curve. He's bouncing back, eating more and is showing more activity. I appreciate the tip.