The Truth About Betta Fish Care in Cambodia
Betta fish — called "trey krem" (ត្រីក្រែម) in Khmer — have been bred in Cambodia and Thailand for centuries, originally for fighting competitions. Today they are the most widely kept ornamental fish in Southeast Asia, sold in every market from Phnom Penh's Orussey Market to small shops in Siem Reap and Sihanoukville.
Despite their popularity, most bettas in Cambodia are kept in conditions far below what they need. Small cups, glass jars, and fishbowls with no filter, no heater, and no space to swim are extremely common. In these conditions, bettas survive — sometimes for a year or two — but they do not thrive. Their fins deteriorate, their colors fade, and they are constantly stressed.
Wild bettas in Thai and Cambodian rice paddies actually swim in relatively large areas with warm, slightly acidic water, dense vegetation, and abundant food. Replicating this environment in a tank is not expensive or complicated — but it requires understanding what bettas actually need, not just what vendors sell them in.
Minimum Tank Size and Setup
The absolute minimum tank size for a single betta is 10 liters (about 2.5 gallons). A 20-liter tank is much better and still affordable in Cambodia — glass tanks of this size cost around $8-15 USD at aquarium shops in Phnom Penh. Larger is always better: a 30-40 liter planted tank with a betta is one of the most beautiful and low-maintenance aquarium setups possible.
Bettas are labyrinth fish — they breathe atmospheric air from the surface using a special organ. They must always have unobstructed access to the surface. Tanks with very low water levels or tight-fitting lids with no air gap are dangerous. Aim for water level 3-5 cm below the top of the tank to give the betta room to surface-breathe comfortably.
A lid or cover glass is essential — bettas are accomplished jumpers. Even a 20-liter tank with a betta inside can be found with the fish on the floor the next morning if left uncovered. This is one of the top causes of betta death in Cambodia, especially overnight when no one is watching.
Add hiding spots and resting places: live or silk plants near the surface (bettas rest on leaves near the top), caves or decorations at the bottom. Avoid sharp plastic plants that tear betta fins — run a piece of pantyhose over plastic plant leaves; if it snags, the plant will tear your betta's fins.
- ✦Minimum 10L tank; 20-30L is strongly recommended for a healthy, active betta
- ✦Always cover the tank — bettas jump and can be found dead on the floor overnight
- ✦Silk plants and broad-leaf plants (like Amazon sword) give bettas resting spots near the surface
- ✦Avoid sharp decorations — betta fins are delicate and tear easily on rough edges
Water Temperature and Parameters
Bettas are tropical fish that prefer 24-28°C. In Cambodia's climate, room temperature in Phnom Penh and other lowland cities typically ranges from 26-34°C — within or slightly above the betta's comfort zone for much of the year. During cooler months (November-February), temperatures can drop to 22-24°C, which is acceptable but at the lower limit.
The bigger risk in Cambodia is overheating: during April and May, unventilated rooms with no air conditioning can reach 35-38°C. At these temperatures bettas become lethargic, stop eating, and are vulnerable to bacterial infections. A small fan directed across the water surface lowers temperature 2-3°C through evaporation and adds beneficial surface agitation.
pH should be 6.5-7.5. Bettas are adaptable but do best in slightly acidic to neutral water. Adding Indian almond leaves (Terminalia catappa, available throughout Cambodia and known locally as "sla liak") turns the water slightly amber, lowers pH gently, releases tannins with mild antibacterial properties, and replicates the natural blackwater environment bettas evolved in.
Bettas are particularly sensitive to chlorine and chloramine in tap water. Always dechlorinate Phnom Penh municipal water before use. Seachem Prime or sodium thiosulfate (available at pharmacies throughout Cambodia) are both effective dechlorinators.
- ✦Keep water at 26-28°C — use a small fan in hot months, a heater in cool months (November-January)
- ✦Add 2-3 Indian almond leaves per 10 liters — natural tannins reduce disease risk
- ✦Always dechlorinate tap water before water changes — chlorine kills beneficial bacteria and stresses fish
- ✦Temperature swings over 3°C in 24 hours cause immune suppression — bettas get sick after rapid temperature changes
Filter Flow and Betta Comfort
Bettas need gentle water flow. Their long, flowing fins make swimming against strong current exhausting. A filter with too high a flow rate causes constant physical stress — the betta is perpetually fighting the current instead of swimming freely. Signs of excessive flow: betta hiding in corners, fins clamped, spending all time in one spot away from the current.
A small sponge filter is the ideal choice for a betta tank. It provides excellent biological filtration, gentle aeration, and creates minimal current. For a 20-liter betta tank, a small sponge filter connected to a simple air pump is both the most affordable and the most appropriate option — total cost around $5 USD in Cambodia.
If you prefer a hang-on-back filter for aesthetic reasons, choose a model with adjustable flow and turn it down to the minimum setting. You can also create a flow baffle by placing a piece of sponge or a water bottle cut to size over the outlet, deflecting the flow along the glass instead of directly into the tank.
In a betta tank, avoid: powerful powerheads, canister filters without spray bar, and internal filters positioned to create circular current. The tank should have gentle surface movement — enough to oxygenate the water but not enough to push a piece of food around in a circle.
- ✦Sponge filter = best choice for betta tanks: gentle, cheap, effective
- ✦If using HOB filter, reduce to minimum flow and add a baffle to break the current
- ✦Good surface movement = healthy oxygenation; strong current = stressed betta
- ✦A betta resting on the substrate near the bottom may be hiding from strong flow — check and reduce
Feeding Bettas Correctly
Bettas are carnivores that evolved eating insects, larvae, and small invertebrates. High-protein food is essential. Choose betta-specific pellets (not generic tropical flakes) — look for foods with fish or shrimp meal as the first ingredient. Recommended brands available in Cambodia: Ocean Nutrition Betta Pellets, Hikari Betta Bio-Gold, Sera Betta Gran.
Feed small amounts twice daily — 3-4 small pellets per feeding, or the equivalent in other food. Bettas have tiny stomachs the size of their eye. Overfeeding causes bloat, constipation, and water pollution. If uneaten food is left at the bottom after 5 minutes, you are feeding too much.
Supplement 3 times per week with live or frozen foods: bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp, or small mosquito larvae. In Cambodia, live mosquito larvae are abundant in standing water — they are excellent betta food and safe when collected from clean water (avoid water near pesticides or sewage). Bettas go into hunting mode with live food and their colors intensify dramatically.
Fast your betta one day per week. This prevents constipation, reduces waste production, and mimics natural feeding patterns. A healthy betta can fast for 2-3 days without any harm. If your betta refuses food for more than 5 days, investigate water parameters and disease.
- ✦Feed betta-specific pellets — generic tropical flakes are nutritionally inadequate
- ✦Portion size: 3-4 small pellets twice daily — less than you think is needed
- ✦Live mosquito larvae from clean standing water = excellent free supplemental food
- ✦Fast one day per week to prevent constipation and reduce ammonia load
The 4 Most Common Betta Diseases in Cambodia
Fin rot is the most common betta disease in Cambodia, caused by bacterial infection (usually Aeromonas or Pseudomonas) following poor water quality or physical damage. Signs: ragged fin edges, darkening at fin tips, fins appearing to shrink over days. Treatment: 30% water change daily for one week, add aquarium salt (1 teaspoon per 10 liters), and Indian almond leaves. Severe cases need antibacterial treatment such as Kanamycin or Erythromycin if available.
Ich (white spot) appears as fine white grains across the body and fins, like salt sprinkled on the fish. It spreads rapidly in warm water. Treat by raising temperature to 30°C (speeds up the parasite life cycle), add commercial ich treatment, and do daily 25% water changes for 7-10 days. Never stop treatment early — ich reappears if treatment is incomplete.
Velvet disease (gold dust disease) looks like fine gold or rust-colored dust on the body, best seen with a flashlight in a darkened room. It is caused by a dinoflagellate parasite and is more dangerous than ich. Treatment: darken the tank completely (cover with dark cloth), raise temperature to 30°C, add copper-based medication (follow label instructions exactly — copper overdose kills fish).
Swim bladder disorder causes the betta to float helplessly at the surface, sink to the bottom, or swim sideways. The most common cause is overfeeding or constipation. Fast the fish for 3 days, then offer one blanched pea (skin removed). If the problem persists beyond one week of fasting, check water quality — ammonia and nitrite can cause secondary swim bladder issues.
- ✦Most betta diseases are prevented by clean water — a 25% weekly water change prevents 80% of common problems
- ✦Always quarantine new fish for 2 weeks before adding to an established betta tank
- ✦Indian almond leaves are preventative medicine — keep them in every betta tank
- ✦If a disease does not respond to treatment within 5 days, reassess the diagnosis — wrong treatment wastes time
Buying Bettas in Cambodia — What to Know
Cambodia has a strong local betta breeding community, particularly for traditional fighting fish (plakat) varieties. High-quality halfmoon, crowntail, and rosetail bettas are also available from specialist breeders and shops in Phnom Penh. Prices range from $1-2 for common plakats at markets to $15-50 for show-quality halfmoon males from specialist breeders.
When selecting a betta, look for: active swimming behavior, fully extended and undamaged fins, bright colors with no pale patches, clear eyes, no white spots or fuzzy patches, and responsive behavior (a healthy betta will flare at its reflection or at another betta nearby). Avoid: fish sitting on the bottom, clamped fins, visible wounds, or any white-spotted fish in the same cup or tank.
At 4848 One Shop, we stock a curated selection of bettas including halfmoon, crowntail, plakat, and giant betta varieties. All our bettas are individually housed in clean, filtered water and fed premium foods before sale. Order via Telegram for Phnom Penh delivery or nationwide shipping with DOA guarantee.