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Finned Friends
Photo of Maya Rivers

Maya Rivers

Maya Rivers writes Finned Friends to give beginners clear, calm answers about keeping freshwater fish — especially bettas. Every guide is researched against current aquarist and veterinary-informed sources and dated when it was last reviewed. Maya is an enthusiast and researcher, not a veterinarian, so when a fish needs medical help, Finned Friends always tells you to see a qualified aquatic vet.

Guides by Maya Rivers

20 guides

Betta Fin Rot: How to Tell, Treat, and Regrow
Betta Fish Care

Betta Fin Rot: How to Tell, Treat, and Regrow

Ragged betta fins? Learn to tell fin rot from fin biting and decor tears, treat it by stage from clean water to antibiotics, and know when fins are healing.

Updated July 26, 2026 · 16 min read
Betta Tank Mates: What Works, by Tank Size
Betta Fish Care

Betta Tank Mates: What Works, by Tank Size

Which tank mates can live with a betta? A gallon-by-gallon chart of what works in 5, 10, and 20 gallons, what to avoid, and how to introduce them safely.

Updated July 24, 2026 · 21 min read
How to Set Up a Betta Tank: The Full Buy List and Timeline
Betta Fish Care

How to Set Up a Betta Tank: The Full Buy List and Timeline

Setting up a betta tank? Get the full buy list with heater wattage and filter specs, plus how to tell exactly when your betta can safely go in.

Updated July 24, 2026 · 16 min read
Betta Swim Bladder: Why Your Betta Floats, Sinks, or Swims Sideways
Betta Fish Care

Betta Swim Bladder: Why Your Betta Floats, Sinks, or Swims Sideways

Betta floating, sinking, or swimming sideways? Learn which direction means what, the right fix for each, and when it's not swim bladder at all.

Updated July 20, 2026 · 16 min read
How to Acclimate a Betta Fish: 2 Easy Methods (Step by Step)
Betta Fish Care

How to Acclimate a Betta Fish: 2 Easy Methods (Step by Step)

Acclimate a betta the right way with two step-by-step methods — the simple float and the gentler drip — plus the mistakes to avoid.

Updated July 23, 2026 · 9 min read
Why Is My Betta Hiding? Normal vs. Concerning (and How to Fix It)
Betta Fish Care

Why Is My Betta Hiding? Normal vs. Concerning (and How to Fix It)

Betta hiding? Learn when it's normal (new tank, shy fish, lots of plants) vs. a problem — plus a causes-and-fixes table to set it right.

Updated July 12, 2026 · 10 min read
Betta Constipation: Signs, Causes and How to Treat It
Betta Fish Care

Betta Constipation: Signs, Causes and How to Treat It

Is your betta bloated and not pooping? Learn to spot constipation vs. dropsy, the safe fasting-first fix, and how to prevent it.

Updated July 20, 2026 · 10 min read
Do Betta Fish Sleep? Yes — Here's How (and How to Tell They're Not Sick)
Betta Fish Care

Do Betta Fish Sleep? Yes — Here's How (and How to Tell They're Not Sick)

Yes, betta fish sleep. Learn how they rest, their odd sleeping positions, the light/dark cycle they need, and how to tell a sleeping betta from a sick or dead one.

Updated July 1, 2026 · 9 min read
Why Is My Betta Flaring? What It Means and When to Worry
Betta Fish Care

Why Is My Betta Flaring? What It Means and When to Worry

Betta flaring at you, the glass, or another fish? Here's what flaring means, why bettas do it, and when occasional flaring is healthy vs. a sign of chronic stress.

Updated July 24, 2026 · 12 min read
Male vs Female Betta: How to Tell the Difference
Betta Fish Care

Male vs Female Betta: How to Tell the Difference

Male vs female betta — a clear side-by-side table of fins, body shape, size, color, the egg spot and beard, plus the most reliable way to sex a young betta.

Updated June 30, 2026 · 9 min read
Best Food for Betta Fish: A Simple Feeding Framework
Betta Fish Care

Best Food for Betta Fish: A Simple Feeding Framework

The best betta food is a high-protein pellet staple plus a rotation of frozen treats. Compare food types, learn to read a label, and how much to feed.

Updated July 20, 2026 · 9 min read
How Often to Do Betta Water Changes (Schedule by Tank Size and Setup)
Betta Fish Care

How Often to Do Betta Water Changes (Schedule by Tank Size and Setup)

How often should you do betta water changes? A simple schedule by tank size and setup, plus a step-by-step how-to and the mistakes to avoid.

Updated June 25, 2026 · 9 min read
Is My Betta Happy or Stressed? 7 Signs to Read Your Fish
Betta Fish Care

Is My Betta Happy or Stressed? 7 Signs to Read Your Fish

Learn to read your betta in 30 seconds. Side-by-side happy vs. stressed signs, what stress stripes mean, and how to fix every cause — beginner guide.

Updated July 12, 2026 · 11 min read
Why Is My Betta Lethargic? 6 Common Causes and What to Check First
Betta Fish Care

Why Is My Betta Lethargic? 6 Common Causes and What to Check First

Is your betta lethargic, sluggish, or not moving? Learn the 6 most common causes and the exact order to check temperature, water, and more.

Updated July 26, 2026 · 12 min read
Why Is My Betta Fish Turning White? Causes, Quick Checks and What To Do
Betta Fish Care

Why Is My Betta Fish Turning White? Causes, Quick Checks and What To Do

Is your betta turning white? Learn the 6 real causes — stress, fungus, columnaris, ich, fin rot, age and the marble gene — plus what to do first.

Updated July 26, 2026 · 11 min read
Betta Bubble Nests Explained: Why They Make Them & What to Do
Betta Fish Care

Betta Bubble Nests Explained: Why They Make Them & What to Do

Seeing bubbles at the top of your betta's tank? It's usually a bubble nest — a healthy, natural sign. Here's what it means and when to actually worry.

Updated June 28, 2026 · 6 min read
How Often & How Much to Feed a Betta Fish (Feeding Schedule)
Betta Fish Care

How Often & How Much to Feed a Betta Fish (Feeding Schedule)

How often and how much should you feed a betta? Get the simple rule, a weekly feeding schedule with a fasting day, and the signs you're overfeeding.

Updated July 20, 2026 · 7 min read
Why Is My Betta Fish Laying at the Bottom of the Tank?
Betta Fish Care

Why Is My Betta Fish Laying at the Bottom of the Tank?

Is your betta lying at the bottom of the tank? Learn when it's normal resting and when it signals a problem — with a quick diagnostic to check first.

Updated July 26, 2026 · 7 min read
Why Is My Betta Fish Not Eating? 7 Reasons and How to Fix It
Betta Fish Care

Why Is My Betta Fish Not Eating? 7 Reasons and How to Fix It

Betta won't eat? Here are the 7 most common reasons — from water temperature to illness — plus a step-by-step checklist to get your betta eating again.

Updated July 20, 2026 · 10 min read
Betta Fish Care for Beginners: The Complete Guide
Betta Fish Care

Betta Fish Care for Beginners: The Complete Guide

New to bettas? This complete beginner's guide covers tank size, water, feeding, tank mates, and common problems — everything to keep your betta healthy.

Updated July 26, 2026 · 14 min read