Introduction

Betta (ikan cupang) adalah salah satu ikan paling populer untuk aquascape—warna stunning, personality unik, dan bisa hidup di tank kecil. Tapi “bisa hidup di tank kecil” bukan berarti “harus hidup di gelas”—betta deserve proper planted tank.

Dengan setup yang tepat, betta akan menampilkan warna terbaik, finnage yang mengembang, dan behavior aktif yang menarik. Artikel ini akan guide kamu setup betta aquascape yang ideal.

Tank Size untuk Betta

Minimum: 10 Liter

  • Betta bisa survive
  • Tapi tidak ideal
  • Parameter tidak stabil
  • Sweet spot untuk betta
  • Cukup stabil
  • Room untuk aquascape

Ideal: 40+ Liter

  • Very stable
  • Room untuk tankmates
  • Impressive display

Myth Busted: “Betta hidup di genangan kecil di alam” = SALAH. Di alam, betta hidup di rice paddies yang luas, bukan genangan kecil.

Parameter Air

Suhu: 24-28°C (optimal 26°C)

  • Betta tropical, butuh warm water
  • Heater recommended di AC room

pH: 6.5-7.5

  • Slightly acidic to neutral
  • Stable lebih penting dari exact number

Hardness:

  • GH: 3-12 dGH
  • KH: 2-8 dKH

Flow: LOW

  • Betta bukan strong swimmer
  • Long fins = drag
  • Baffle filter output jika terlalu kuat

Tanaman untuk Betta Tank

  • Salvinia - Betta love resting under floating plants
  • Frogbit - Roots provide hiding
  • Water Lettuce - Shade dan cover

Broad Leaf Plants

  • Anubias - Betta rest on leaves
  • Java Fern - Easy, broad leaves
  • Amazon Sword - Larger tanks

Soft Plants

  • Java Moss - Soft, safe untuk fins
  • Moss balls - Betta play with them
  • Hornwort - Floating atau planted

Avoid

  • Sharp plants (bisa tear fins)
  • Plastic plants dengan edges tajam
  • Dense stem plants (trap betta)

Hardscape

Driftwood

  • Provides hiding spots
  • Tannins beneficial untuk betta
  • Attach moss dan anubias

Smooth Stones

  • Avoid sharp edges
  • Betta rest on flat stones
  • Create caves

Caves/Hides

  • Betta need hiding spots
  • Coconut shells, ceramic caves
  • Reduce stress

Avoid

  • Sharp decorations
  • Rough surfaces
  • Tight spaces (fins get stuck)

Tankmates (Dengan Caution)

Generally Safe

  • Snails: Nerite, mystery snail
  • Shrimp: Amano (too big to eat), ghost shrimp
  • Corydoras: Bottom dweller, peaceful
  • Otocinclus: Algae eater, peaceful

Risky (Depends on Individual)

  • Cherry Shrimp: Some betta eat them
  • Neon Tetra: Some betta chase them
  • Rasbora: Depends on betta temperament

Never

  • Other Betta Male: Will fight to death
  • Guppy Male: Colorful fins = target
  • Fin Nippers: Tiger barb, serpae tetra
  • Aggressive Fish: Cichlids, etc.

Tips

  • Always have backup plan
  • Monitor closely first week
  • Remove if aggression occurs
  • Some betta better solo

Feeding

Diet

  • Pellets: High-quality betta pellets (staple)
  • Frozen: Bloodworm, brine shrimp (treats)
  • Live: Daphnia, mosquito larvae (occasional)

Schedule

  • 2-3 pellets, 2x daily
  • Fast 1 day per week
  • Avoid overfeeding (bloat)

Tips

  • Betta stomach = size of eye
  • Soak pellets before feeding
  • Remove uneaten food

Common Issues

Fin Rot

Cause: Poor water quality, stress Solution: Clean water, medication if severe

Bloat

Cause: Overfeeding, constipation Solution: Fast 2-3 days, feed daphnia (laxative)

Lethargy

Cause: Cold water, illness, old age Solution: Check temperature, observe for other symptoms

Fin Biting

Cause: Stress, boredom, heavy fins Solution: More hiding spots, reduce flow, enrichment

Betta Aquascape Ideas

Minimalist Zen

  • 20L cube
  • Single driftwood piece
  • Anubias dan java moss
  • Sand substrate
  • Floating plants

Jungle Style

  • 30L tank
  • Multiple plants
  • Dense vegetation
  • Lots of hiding spots
  • Natural look

Iwagumi Betta

  • 20-30L
  • Stone arrangement
  • Carpet plant (optional)
  • Open swimming space
  • Minimalist

FAQ

Betta butuh heater?

Di Indonesia tanpa AC: Biasanya tidak perlu (suhu ruangan 26-30°C) Dengan AC 24 jam: Ya, heater recommended

Betta bisa dengan shrimp?

Depends on individual. Some betta ignore shrimp, some hunt them. Amano shrimp lebih safe karena size. Cherry shrimp risky.

Berapa lama betta hidup?

3-5 tahun dengan proper care. Pet store betta biasanya sudah 6-12 bulan saat dibeli.

Betta perlu filter?

Ya. Meski betta bisa survive tanpa filter (labyrinth organ), filter sangat membantu water quality dan reduce maintenance.

Kesimpulan

Betta deserve lebih dari gelas atau tank kecil—dengan proper planted tank, betta akan thrive dan menampilkan keindahan maksimal. Minimum 20L, low flow, plenty of plants dan hiding spots adalah kunci.

Untuk panduan livestock lengkap, baca Livestock Aquascape. Pelajari juga Nano Tank Setup untuk setup tank kecil yang proper.