VOA健康报道2022--How to Keep a Betta Fish

　　How to Keep a Betta Fish

　　Betta fish are known for their bright colors. They are popular with Americans as pets.

　　They are often kept alone in a small tank. Male fish are prized for their stronger colors and beautiful fins².

　　With good care, bettas live three to five years, but some are known to live 10 years.

　　In the northern parts of the world, winter has arrived, and some people might be wondering what to do with their time now that they are indoors³. Keeping a betta fish can be a fun hobby that does not involve going outside. It also does not require too much skill, but you do have to be willing to learn.

　　But how do you take care of a betta fish?

　　Required parts

　　First, betta fish need a home. A tank that holds at least 11 liters⁴ of water is suggested although 19 liters is better. Larger tanks are better because the water needs to be changed less often and provides a healthier environment for the fish.

　　Second, the tank needs small rocks or sand at the bottom. In the pet fish industry, this is called substrate. A few centimeters at the bottom are all that is needed. Clean the rocks or sand with running water without soap until it runs clear before adding them to the tank.

　　Third, a filter⁵ is needed to purify⁶ the water. Many people keep bettas without filters⁷. But the fish should be raised with a filter to stay healthy. Follow the filter's guidelines⁸ and choose a filter that is the right size for the tank.

　　Fourth, a heater is suggested to keep your fish in good condition. These fish prefer warmer water, usually between 24 and 28 degrees Celsius⁹. Pet stores sell heaters for fish. Choose the right size for your aquarium¹⁰ and follow its guidelines, or instructions, to set it up.

　　A light and decorations are the final details to set up your tank. A light may not be necessary if the room receives enough natural light. But an electric light might be helpful if you wish to grow plants in the tank. If real plants seem like too much work, plastic plants work as well. You can also find other decorations like rocks, or wood pieces. Just make sure they are safe for fish.

　　Water quality and temperature

　　The quality of the water is important to keeping a fish alive and healthy. The filter and heater will do a lot to keep the water safe for the fish, but there are additional¹¹ steps you should take.

　　Make sure the water you add to the tank is safe for fish. Tap water can be used. But it usually contains a chlorine-based chemical harmful to fish, so additional steps need to be taken.

　　Krista Keller is a professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine. Writing online in 2019, she said, "If tap water is used in the tank, it is recommended to use a dechlorinating product and test for heavy metals."

　　Pet stores sell dechlorinating chemicals and they are easy to use. Just follow the instructions on the container. Stores also sell home water testing products. But many fish stores are happy to test your water if you bring in a small amount. They can also provide advice on keeping fish in your area's water.

　　Betta fish care

　　After setting¹² up your tank, there are a few more things to consider. You will need to feed your fish and change its water.

　　There are many choices for food. There are pellets, frozen¹³ whole foods, freeze-dried foods, and live food. Pet stores will carry many of these. Feed your fish once to twice a day. Whatever food you choose, make sure it contains meat or insects because that is what bettas eat in the wild.

　　It is suggested to change one fourth of your tank's water once every week or two. Remove the old water and add fresh water. Your filter also may require some additional cleaning every month or so.

　　Tank friends

　　Male betta fish are kept alone because they are aggressive fish. Another name for bettas is Siamese fighting fish. Males should never be kept with other betta males. If you have a larger tank with other fish, they might live together peacefully. But know that male betta fish often attack other fish and may have to live separately.

　　Female¹⁴ betta fish can live with other fish peacefully. A group of females¹⁵ can be kept too. Make sure they have a tank that is large enough and a filter designed for the tank's size.

　　Words in This Story

　　fin¹ –n. the part of a fish or marine¹⁶ mammal that the animal uses to move or affect its movement

　　pet – n. an animal (such as a dog, cat, bird, or fish) that people keep mainly for pleasure

　　hobby – n. an activity that a person does for pleasure when not working

　　filter – n. a device¹⁷ that is used to remove something unwanted from a liquid or gas that passes through it

　　decoration – n. something that is added to something else to make it more attractive

　　tap –n. a device that controls the flow (usually of water) from a pipe or tank

　　recommend – v. to suggest that someone do (something)

　　dechlorinate – v. to remove chlorine from a substance

1 fin   

n.鳍；(飞机的)安定翼

参考例句：

• They swim using a small fin on their back.它们用背上的小鳍游动。
• The aircraft has a long tail fin.那架飞机有一个长长的尾翼。

2 fins   

[医]散热片；鱼鳍；飞边；鸭掌

参考例句：

• The level of TNF-α positively correlated with BMI,FPG,HbA1C,TG,FINS and IRI,but not with SBP and DBP. TNF-α水平与BMI、FPG、HbA1C、TG、FINS和IRI呈显著正相关，与SBP、DBP无相关。 来自互联网
• Fins are a feature specific to fish. 鱼鳍是鱼类特有的特征。 来自辞典例句

3 indoors   

adv.(在)室内，(在)户内

参考例句：

• Because of the coldness of the weather we stayed indoors.我们因天气寒冷呆在家里。
• It is very cold outside,you'd better come indoors across the board.外面很冷，你们所有人最好都进屋。

4 liters   

n.升( liter的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• In the metric system, measurements are made in metres and liters. 在公制中，用米和升作计量单位。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• This can holds five liters of water. 这个容器可装五升水。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 filter   

n.滤器，过滤嘴；v.过滤，透过

参考例句：

• Foreign influence began to filter into the country.外国势力开始渗透进这个国家。
• Charcoal is used to filter water.木炭是用来过滤水的。

6 purify   

vt.使纯净，提纯，使纯洁

参考例句：

• They open the windows to purify the air of the room.他们打开窗户清涤室内空气。
• You should purify the water before drinking it.喝水前，你应使之净化。

7 filters   

过滤( filter的名词复数 )； 滤光器； （香烟头上的）过滤嘴； 交通红灯指示不得直行的同时

参考例句：

• Filters do not remove all contaminants from water. 过滤器无法过滤掉水中的所有污染物。
• A liquid filters through a strainer,into the receptacle beneath. 液体经过过滤器流入下面的容器。

8 guidelines   

n.指导方针，准则

参考例句：

• The government has drawn up guidelines on the treatment of the mentally ill. 政府制订了对待精神病人的指导方针。
• Planners seem a little uncomfortable with the current government guidelines. 规划师似乎不太接受现行的政府指道方针。

9 Celsius   

adj.摄氏温度计的，摄氏的

参考例句：

• The temperature tonight will fall to seven degrees Celsius.今晚气温将下降到七摄氏度。
• The maximum temperature in July may be 36 degrees Celsius.七月份最高温度可能达到36摄氏度。

10 aquarium   

n.水族馆，养鱼池，玻璃缸

参考例句：

• The first time I saw seals was in an aquarium.我第一次看见海豹是在水族馆里。
• I'm going to the aquarium with my parents this Sunday.这个星期天，我要和父母一起到水族馆去。

11 additional   

adj.添加的，额外的，另外的

参考例句：

• It is necessary to set down these additional rules.有必要制定这些补充规则。
• I think we can fit in an additional room.我想我们可以再加建一间房子。

12 setting   

n.背景

参考例句：

• The play has its setting in Vienna.该剧以维也纳为背景。
• Where and when a story takes place is called the setting.故事发生的地点和时间称为故事背景。

13 frozen   

adj.冻结的，冰冻的

参考例句：

• He was frozen to death on a snowing night.在一个风雪的晚上，他被冻死了。
• The weather is cold and the ground is frozen.天寒地冻。

14 female   

adj.雌的，女(性)的；n.雌性的动物，女子

参考例句：

• We only employ female workers.我们只雇用女工。
• The animal in the picture was a female elephant.照片上的动物是头母象。

15 females   

n.雌性动物( female的名词复数 )；女人

参考例句：

• The male birds are more colourful than the females. 这种鸟雄性比雌性更加色彩艳丽。
• The males in the herd protect the females and the young. 兽中的雄性动物保护雌性动物和幼崽。 来自《简明英汉词典》

16 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

17 device   

n.器械，装置；计划，策略，诡计

参考例句：

• The device will be in production by the end of the year.该装置将于年底投入生产。
• The device will save much time and effort for us.这种装置会使我们节省大量时间和气力。