Who Gives A Fish Forums

What's the best temp range for keeping bettas healthy long term? I've seen conflicting advice, some say 76-80F, others insist on 78-82F. My tank's at 78F now, but I'm not sure if it's ideal.

78-82F is the sweet spot. At 78F, they're fine, but warmer water (80-82F) boosts their metabolism and activity. Just avoid sudden swings—use a reliable heater like the Eheim Jager. What's your tank size and heater setup?

I keep mine at 80F, and they're super active. But dude, if your heater's sketchy, it's gonna mess with the temp. Had one fail last winter, and my fish got super lethargic. Not fun.

Mine's at 79F with a 5-gallon tank and a preset heater. They seem happy, but I've noticed they flare more when the temp drops during water changes. How do you all handle that?

whiskerix wrote: ↑Fri May 23, 2025 3:29 am Mine's at 79F with a 5-gallon tank and a preset heater. They seem happy, but I've noticed they flare more when the temp drops during water changes. How do you all handle that?

I float a bag of new water in the tank for 15 mins to match temps. Also, drip acclimation helps if you're paranoid. What's your water change routine?

76F here, but my place is warm. They're chill, no issues. Just watch for clamped fins—that's a sign they're too cold.

Yo, my betta vibes at 81F. He's a feisty lil guy, always building bubble nests. But if your room's drafty, bump it up a degree or two. Easy fix.

I've kept them at 77F for years with no problems. But if you're breeding, go warmer—82F for fry growth.

Thanks for the tips, everyone. I'll bump it to 80F and monitor their behavior. Appreciate the heater recommendations too.

aquasage wrote: ↑Fri May 23, 2025 11:18 am Thanks for the tips, everyone. I'll bump it to 80F and monitor their behavior. Appreciate the heater recommendations too.

Good call. Let us know how they adjust. Also, check your thermometer accuracy—some are way off.