How Long Do Betta Fish Live? Average Lifespans

Male and female betta fish live for 2-4 years on average in captivity. How long a betta fish will live as a pet depends on a variety of factors. The two most important being how old a betta is when you get him or her, and how they are cared for.

If possible, purchase a betta from a passionate local or online breeder. These bettas should have received better care from fry to adulthood and may have improved genetics. For many people, however, that’s not an option and the easiest location is a pet store chain.

Some big box pet stores have improved their betta’s conditions and level of care but it can vary by location significantly. I have seen some with bettas in community tanks, others with sororities, and some in large divided tanks. It’s still very difficult to know how their suppliers have handled their fish and how much stress they have undergone.

Bettas being sold with fully developed fins are typically around 6-12 months old for males and females. Females may be on the lower end because they reach fin maturity quicker. Baby bettas are between 4-8 weeks old.

What is the oldest betta?

The oldest betta ever recorded was 10 years old. With the right genetics, environment, and care from the onset of a betta’s life, they can live up to 6 or 7 years or more. Many owners have reported life spans of 8 years, but that’s not realistic for every betta.

Because there are so many myths about the proper care for this species in captivity, their life spans are drastically reduced and almost always cut in half. Bettas tend to be a first-time fish keepers choice (or gift) because of their level of care, resilience and beauty. This often leads to betta keeping before doing the proper research on how to care for them.

How long do betta fish live in the wild?

Betta fish typically live to 2 years old in the wild. In captivity they live longer because of improved care, food availability, and less dangers.

How long do betta fish live in a bowl?

A betta fish’s life span will almost always be significantly reduced if you house them in unfiltered and unheated bowls. This is especially true if they are under 2 gallons in size and proper maintenance is not adhered to. Stick to eating cereal out of bowls, not housing fish in them!

Most pet stores display betta fish in small plastic cups because of their aggression and territorial nature. While it’s not an excuse, they often don’t allocate the proper space it would take to set up large divided tanks for their betta inventory.

Small cups and bowls are temporary habitats since cohabitation is tricky with females and other fish, and not possible with males. Also, just because pet stores sell small tanks and bowls (1 gallon) this is not the correct habitat for them.

Buy a healthy betta fish

It’s always unclear how a betta has been cared for when coming from suppliers and unknown breeders. This means a betta may have been subjected to cramped environments, no dividers, diseases, and parasites which can shorten their life span.

Getting a healthy betta from the start is a key factor in how long they will live. Healthy betta fish will have bright coloring (males), no scale or fin damage, and be active and feisty upon your presence.

Improve how long your betta fish will live

Getting back to the most important elements in a betta’s life expectancy, there are certain things you can do to help your betta fish live longer.

Feed the right food

Provide rich and abundant food that’s high in protein and fiber. Most betta fish won’t even touch regular tropical fish flakes because this food is inadequate for their needs. While a high quality betta pellet is a great start, you should also consider incorporating freeze-dried, frozen, or live bloodworms and brine shrimp to really get all of the nutrients they need.

Betta fish have abundant access to prey in the wild and are active carnivores (insectivores to be exact). You need to replicate that same environment in captivity as much as possible, and that means nutrition too. Avoid overfeeding them, because that can lead to complications too.

Provide the right habitat

The recommended habitat size for a betta fish is 5 gallons, with a minimum recommended tank size of 2.5 gallons. They also need lots of spaces to hide and rest to feel safe. Make sure your tank has a top on it too because betta fish are jumpers. They will often leap right out of an uncovered habitat – leading to their death.

Water quality is super important

Do not use distilled water because it has been stripped of the essential nutrients and minerals that betta fish need to be healthy.

Use tap water or spring water if your tap water is not suitable. Make sure to use a water conditioner to make the water safe for a betta. A conditioner removes harmful things like chlorine, heavy metals, and ammonia. If buying spring water is too expensive or not an option you can also use a filtration unit like a Brita for water changes and cycling.

Smaller tanks will also require more frequent cleanings because of their size – it’s simple math! A 1 gallon would require daily partial water changes while maintaining a constant temperature. This is extremely hard to do and leads to constant stress on a betta.

Ammonia builds up as your betta excretes waste into the water and as uneaten food and live plants break down. Poor water quality can stress and harm your betta very quickly. It can even lead to death from prolonged exposure. Keep your betta fish’s tank clean and consider using a filter to reduce ammonia, nitrites, and nitrites.

Bettas need tropical water temperatures

Betta fish are tropical fish and require a steady warm water temperature in the range of 76-81 degrees Fahrenheit. To maintain this temperature you’ll likely need to purchase a small (~25 watt) heater with a built in thermostat. This will help to keep the tank’s water temperature consistent.

Avoid abrupt temperature changes and avoid colder temperatures at all costs. Extended time in temperatures colder than recommended (especially less than 68 degrees) can stress a betta’s natural immune system and lead to inactivity, refusal to eat, and susceptibility to illness and disease.

Betta knowledge and life span

If you already knew the information above, then good for you! If not, then you’ve got some work to do and you should definitely read the full betta care guide. With the right knowledge and passion, you can expect your betta fish to live for 2-3 years.

Some betta fish will always be more resilient than others (the strong survive). While you can reverse some of the damage from living in small cups and coming from an uncertain past, you may never know the full story of their care or lineage. If your betta fish lives a year or two from the time of purchase, you have likely still been a good fish mom or dad.