Dick wrote:


I have seen single male Betas in small bowls, no filtration.


Betas are sometimes put singularly into community tanks. It has been
a long times since I tried. As I recall they sometimes would nip
fins.

dick

FYI....that would be Betta. (it's pornounced "bet-uh", not "bait-uh"
and is the usual reason for the misspelling)

Bettas can only survive in a small, unheated and unfiltered bowl.
However, they will thrive in a heated tank.
1g is the absolute minimum tank they should be housed in.
Keeping them in community tanks is often fine, and I do recommend it.
However, as with every single Betta, each has a different personality
and that needs to be considered.
Tank mates are usually the ones doing the nipping and the Betta ends of
shredded if put in with the wrong type.
Fish that are very small, such as live bearer fry or Neons when very
tiny (fully grown Neons are usually fine) make for good snacks.
Bettas are carnivores, so anything it can fit into it's mouth will be.
In regard to housing a male in with females, again that depends on tank
size, as well as each individual personality of each fish. Sex plays no
part in aggression here. A female can shred up a male just as good, so
only experienced Betta keepers should house females and a male in one
tank.
These fish are aware of what goes on outside their tank, so they
quickly become tame to their owners.
Stay away from freeze dried foods, as they will cause constipation.
They need a good staple food and another "meat' type food, such as
frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp.
They should be fed twice a day, in small amounts.
Their water should be kept clean and heated to 78-80*f.