Best Tanks for Betta Fish, According To Our Expert

With their long delicate fins, betta fish need a tank with low water flow and lots of places to hang out and nap. A 5-gallon tank is ideal for most betta fish, and they should never share their tank with another betta fish. The males of the species will fight one another, and not all female betta fish get along with other betta fish.

"All betta fish require an environment catering to their individual needs and limitations,” certified aquatic veterinarian Dr. Jessica Fox, DVM, shared with The Spruce Pets. “We have seen too many betta fish kept in inappropriate environments (e.g. bowls or vases) that can severely impact their health.” By providing your betta fish with a suitably sized tank (the bigger the better), a proper filter, water flow, and a heater, you can do a lot to ensure your betta lives a long and healthy life.

The Fluval SPEC 5-gallon aquarium kit was designed with bettas in mind. It provides an ideal environment, taking into consideration a betta fish’s anatomy and swimming ability.

The filter outflow is directed along the long axis of the tank, decreasing the flow that could push your betta around. Many bettas like resting up against the filter intake, which is not damaging at all and provides them with additional nap spots.

All of the high-quality Fluval filter media comes included with this kit and even has a spot designed to add in a heater, the only component not included in this kit. These tanks are well-designed and sturdy enough to last for many betta fish generations.

There is a smaller unit of this kit, but at 2.6 gallons, the filter outflow can be a little bit rough and your betta will appreciate the extra space. Check out our other recommendation for a nano tank below.

Overall, the price may be a little daunting for “just a betta,” but you will get more than your money’s worth and your next 3-4 generations of bettas will have an exceptional home to call their own.

Tank dimensions are 20.5 x 11.6 x 7.5 inches

At only 11.75 inches at its largest dimension, the Aquatop Venti 5-gallon aquarium will give your betta a quality home with a small footprint, and at a slightly lower price point than our top recommendation. The biggest complaint about this tank is the noisy air pump.

Without a standard filter, this tank relies on airlift technology to run filtration using just airflow. This is not ideal for many fish species but will work fine for one betta. If you cannot stand the noise from the included model, here are some other options to try.

The use of airlift filtration allows for the filter flow to be very low, which is ideal for betta fish. These filters tend to become clogged more often than traditional, higher-flow filters, so you will need to clean them more regularly.

This aquarium kit provides a one-way check valve for your aerator setup which is critical to preventing back siphoning if your air pump fails. Always keep your air pump above your aquarium’s water line to prevent your tank from accidentally siphoning dry.

Tank dimensions are 8 x 11.75 x 11.75 inches

How We Picked

The Spruce Pets tapped the expertise of all-aquatic veterinarian, Jessie Sanders, DVM, DABVP, to inform our selection of tanks for betta fish. With over a decade of hands-on experience in the aquatic veterinary field, Dr. Sanders has advised hundreds of betta owners on the most beneficial setup for their fish, and in many cases, a betta fish's current illness is secondary to their environment.

More We Recommend

Best 15-Gallon Tank: A deluxe version of our top choice, the 15-gallon Fluval Flex Aquarium Kit is the ultimate betta fish tank. With its high-quality filter, integrated and programmable lights, and large volume, this is the tank that cultivates happy bettas. Make all your other fish jealous by providing the ultimate betta fish tank.

This 15-gallon tank is not too large for your fish and allows for lots of decor options and room to swim comfortably without snagging delicate fins. The Fluval Flex comes with high-quality filter media, including a sponge, carbon, and ceramic media.

The LED lights built into the lid are programmable and come with an easy-to-use remote. Yes, it is a more expensive option, but the high quality and multiple features make this a high-value system. Your betta will thank you.

Tank dimensions are 16 x 15 x 15 inches

Best 10-Gallon Tank: Give your betta fish more room to swim and explore with this 10-gallon oasis. The Marina Aquarium 10-Gallon Kit includes a solid glass tank with a built-in light source, a soft betta-safe net, and a decent filter. The kit includes a stick-on thermometer, but we strongly recommend replacing it with an in-tank model. You'll also need to add a heater and smooth decorations to help your betta feel at home.

The 10-gallon Marina Aquarium Kit is an excellent option to upgrade a smaller tank for your betta, and with a few modifications and additional equipment options, your betta will be settled in no time.

Tank dimensions are 20 x 10 x 12 inches

Best Budget Kit: If you’re looking to get your betta housed in a 10-gallon tank with all the accessories on a budget, check out the Aquaeon Aquarium Fish Tank Starter Kit. This 10-gallon system is an excellent choice for a betta and includes a heater, filter, and lid. The filter media is not high-quality but can be easily swapped out for any standard sponge filter cut to the correct size.

Setting up this aquarium and all its components is very easy and it can be ready for your new betta within a couple of hours. All you need is to add some betta-friendly accents and you’re ready to welcome in your new pet.

You will need to obtain a higher-quality thermometer to ensure your heater is working correctly, which is strongly encouraged for all heated fish tanks, both fresh and saltwater. Overall, this aquarium kit is a great price point and well-suited to house a betta fish.

Tank dimensions are 23 x 12.75 x 14 inches

Best 2.6-Gallon Tank: If you want a betta and are very low on space, consider the Fluval Betta 2.6-gallon tank. Like the other Fluval tanks on this list, this tank includes high-quality filter media and a heater. The low flow pump was included specifically with betta fish in mind and even has an additional baffle on the effluent to keep currents slow.

Keep in mind that a nanosystem will require more cleaning and maintenance due to the low water volume. If you do not have time for weekly or twice-a-week maintenance, get a larger system.

It can be very easy to over-decorate a small tank, which can cause tears in your betta fins. Small-volume tanks are also more susceptible to temperature swings, which can be very harmful to your betta’s health.

Tank dimensions are 11 x 12 x 9 inches

Why Trust The Spruce Pets?

Jessie Sanders, DVM, DABVP (Fish Practice), is an all-aquatic veterinarian with over 10 years of hands-on experience with a wide range of aquarium products, including at-home tests of fish tank equipment. Dr. Sanders is the chief veterinarian at Aquatic Aquatic Veterinary Services and is a certified aquatic veterinarian through the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association. You can see additional aquarium recommendations from Dr. Sanders in these stories for The Spruce Pets: Best Internal Aquarium Filters, Best Aquarium Heaters. Best Planted Aquarium Lights, and Best Filtration Systems for Aquariums.

For this story, Dr. Sanders consulted with Dr. Jessica Fox, DVM, a fellow aquatic veterinarian, to inform the curated selection of tanks for betta fish.