The betta fish is a popular pet that many people keep in their homes. The question of how long can a betta fish live out of water has been asked by many owners. While it might be tempting to think they can live for days, this isn’t the case at all!
Let’s talk about the dangers of leaving your betta fish out of the water and what to do if you need to remove them from their home temporarily.
Can betta survive out of water?
Unfortunately, it is not safe for a betta fish to be away from its tank or bowl for too long! They can only handle being removed from their homes for 20-30 minutes at most before they begin to experience some health problems that could lead to death.
If this happens, there are certain things that must happen immediately in order to save your pet’s life. Here is how long can a betta live on land without any assistance:
If left unassisted, these pets cannot last longer than 30 minutes on land without suffering from some major health problems. If you notice that your betta needs help to get back into the water, here is what you should do:
Call a veterinarian– After 30 minutes, there are chances that your pet will be suffering from oxygen deprivation and an inability to move correctly. In this case, it is important for professionals at a vet clinic to assist you in order to save their life!
Use water conditioner – As soon as possible after bringing your fish home again, make sure they have access to freshwater with a high level of dechlorinated or distilled conditioners added.
Gently put them back in the tank– The worst thing you can do when attempting these steps is grabbed hold of your beloved companion who has been out of the water for a long time.
They won’t be able to handle that type of stress and might end up dying right in your hands!
What factors affect the breathing capacity of betta fishes when they are out of water?
A betta fish for sale is not equipped to breathe air for extended periods of time. They have a labyrinth organ that allows them to breathe oxygen directly from the surface, which can only work in water.
When they are out of the tank or bowl where their home lives, this system cannot function properly due to gravitational forces pushing down on it and causing blockages.
Breathing capacity decreases- The betta’s ability to take in oxygen gradually diminishes after 30 minutes because carbon dioxide builds up faster than usual when not living in its natural environment.
This blocks off circulation pathways through membranes inside their organs so they cannot receive enough supplies throughout their body. If you ever need to remove your pet from his normal habitat temporarily, do not go longer than 20-30 minutes without putting him back in the tank.
Betta is extremely sensitive to changes- Changes in temperature, water quality, and even noise can affect your betta fish’s breathing capacity while it is out of its home temporarily.
Even if you think that performing these temporary moves won’t cause any harm at all, there are always consequences waiting for these pets! Always make sure they have access to fresh water with a high level of dechlorinated or distilled conditioners added as soon as possible after bringing them back into their homes.