Who Gives A Fish Forums

What's your go-to routine for keeping your betta healthy? I've got a 5-gallon tank with a sponge filter, weekly 25% water changes, and I feed them pellets twice a day. Still, I'm paranoid about diseases creeping in.

I swear by Indian almond leaves. They're great for preventing fungal infections and give the water a natural tint that seems to chill my fish out. Also, keep an eye on water temp, 78-80°F is the sweet spot.

zenfox9 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 13, 2025 11:09 pm I swear by Indian almond leaves. They're great for preventing fungal infections and give the water a natural tint that seems to chill my fish out. Also, keep an eye on water temp, 78-80°F is the sweet spot.

Yep, almond leaves are a game-changer. I also add a tiny bit of aquarium salt during water changes, just as a preventative. Never had issues with fin rot since I started.

My dude's in a 10-gallon with live plants and a heater set to 79°F. I test the water every few days, zero ammonia, zero nitrites. Feed him a mix of pellets and frozen bloodworms. So far, so good.

Overfeeding is the biggest mistake I see. Uneaten food rots and spikes ammonia. Stick to small portions and remove leftovers. Also, quarantine new plants or tankmates. Too many people skip this and regret it.