Who Gives A Fish Forums

Bowls are a no-go for bettas. They need horizontal space to swim, not just vertical. A 5-gallon tank with a low-flow filter and heater is the bare minimum for their well-being.

Agree with the flow advice. Low circulation lets detritus settle on them. I'd also check your photoperiod, 6–8 hours of moderate light is plenty. Too much and they'll bleach or brown.

Seconding the root tabs. My crypts went from sad to lush after I started using them. Just don't overdo it, or you'll get algae issues.

Yep, crypt melt is a thing. Had the same issue with my Cryptocoryne parva. Took like a month to recover, but now it's thriving. Just keep the lighting steady and don't freak out if it looks dead for a while.


Agreed. Mine did the same thing. As long as the roots aren't mushy, it's probably fine ...