I found that the eclipse 3 gallon tank is ideal for a betta. It's already got filter and light incorporated into the whole package - and then the only things you need to buy are gravel (if you choose - I like bare bottom tanks for the bettas), decorations and a heater. A 25 watt heater set at 80 degrees F is fine for this sized tank. The water flow from the output of the filter is gentle enough for a betta to still build a bubblenest that won't be disturbed.

What temperature is the tank? Low temperatures under about 70*F can cause constipation. You should keep your tank warmer than that anyway though :)

In my experience and that of other betta keepers I've spoken to, the amount Hikari recommends is way too much. A better suggestion is 2-3 pellets total per day, and no more than 1 pellet at a time. Bettas need a surprisingly small amount of food to stay healthy, and they can become sick off amounts other similarly-sized fish can eat with no problem. A pellet meal should also be replaced occasionally with other foods such as Tetra BettaMin flakes, bloodworms, or frozen brine shrimp. Variety helps keep them healthy both mentally and physically. They also love live foods, but I would suggest culturing your own if you dicide to feed them. Buying live food is a good way to introduce parasites and diseases, and it's by no means required anyway.

What sort of housing are you keeping him in? I imagine they told you that the poor fish like being in tiny cups. If you want to see one of the most interesting and intelligent fish ever, get him a heated 3g+ tank with a filter and plants and decorations to explore. :) Their personalities are fascinating. In a tank that's 10 gallons or more, you can also keep them with some community fish such as harlequin rasboras and otocinclus.

Mt advice go to a Betta site where there are specialist in Betta keeping. One thing to learn very quickly Never trust a sales person unless you know they are trust worthy.
http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/
Here is a good site for you

Keith

I don't think you can overfeed a fish, but it's important not to let uneaten food spoil the water. Also the more you feed the more waste is generated. No problem if water is changed often enough. I agree with others, you can keep a betta in a glass jar, but it's a better enviornment for them in a 3gal or larger tank. It looks nicer to.

Actually, James, you can. When a fish eats too much, it becomes constipated, and that can be either very mild or go so far as to cause permanent organ damage and death. Overfeeding and constipation is a problem many new betta owners have since they don't need as much food as other fish.

Not to worry though. At the fist sign of bloating, simply fasting your fish a day or two should do the trick, and then you know to feed less than you were. Sometimes a feeding of pea flakes (fishy laxative) is required.

I have found very few pet store employees, especially those in the big chains, who know much about the fish they sell, especially Bettas.

Bettas are kept in small jars by breeders and pet stores for the convenience of the breeders and the retailers, not the fish.

We also keep our Betta in an Eclipse 3, but it's also full of live plants, which he enjoys using to rest on, and it gives him a place to hide when a cat decides to stare at him.

Bettas also love fresh food and will pursue live brine shrimp and snap them up regardless of where they are in the tank. Our's is especially mad for blood worms, although I only buy them frozen.

I keep a few mature red ramshorn snails in our Betta's tank and as he eats any newly hatched ones, the tank stays quite free of algae, but doesn't get overpopulated with snails.

But even with the continual filtration, I still do a minimum 50% water change weekly.

BTW: for those who use Eclipse tanks: just a bit of fine slicing will allow the filter cartridges to be re-used.

I used a razor blade to lift the filter fiber from one end, washed it clean, refilled it, and secured that end back down with a rubber band.

After doing it the first time, I did the same with the rest of them in the box as they were used and now, have a really cheap, steady supply to give my Betta a fresh filter with every water change, and I am far more generous with the media than the mfg.

The result has been crystal clear water, and a so far; healthy and active 4 year old Betta.