Betta fish are known for their bright colors .
斗鱼以色彩鲜艳而闻名。
They are popular with Americans as pets .
它们是很受美国人欢迎的宠物。
They are often kept alone in a small tank .
它们通常被单独养在一个小鱼缸里。
Male fish are prized for their stronger colors and beautiful fins .
雄鱼因颜色更浓艳、鱼鳍更漂亮而备受青睐。
With good care , bettas live three to five years , but some are known to live 10 years .
如果照顾得好，斗鱼能活三到五年，有些甚至能活10年。
Keeping a betta fish can be a fun hobby that does not involve going outside .
养斗鱼是一项不用出门也能享受的有趣爱好。
It also does not require too much skill , but you do have to be willing to learn .
这也不需要太多技巧，但你必须愿意学习。
But how do you take care of a betta fish ?
那么，该怎样照顾斗鱼呢？
First , betta fish need a home .
首先，斗鱼需要一个家。
A tank that holds at least 11 liters of water is suggested although 19 liters is better .
建议使用至少能装11升水的鱼缸，不过19升的更好。
Larger tanks are better because the water needs to be changed less often and provides a healthier environment for the fish .
鱼缸越大越好，因为换水次数更少，也能为鱼提供更健康的环境。
Second , the tank needs small rocks or sand at the bottom .
其次，鱼缸底部需要铺上小石子或沙子。
In the pet fish industry , this is called substrate .
在观赏鱼行业，这被称为底砂。
A few centimeters at the bottom are all that is needed .
底部铺几厘米厚就够了。
Clean the rocks or sand with running water without soap until it runs clear before adding them to the tank .
在把石子或沙子放进鱼缸前，先用流水冲洗（不要用肥皂），直到水变清为止。
Third , a filter is needed to purify the water .
第三，需要一个过滤器来净化水质。
Many people keep bettas without filters .
很多人养斗鱼不用过滤器。
But the fish should be raised with a filter to stay healthy .
但为了让鱼保持健康，应该使用过滤器。
Follow the filter's guidelines and choose a filter that is the right size for the tank .
按照过滤器的说明操作，并选择与鱼缸大小相匹配的过滤器。
Fourth , a heater is suggested to keep your fish in good condition .
第四，建议使用加热器，让鱼保持良好状态。
These fish prefer warmer water , usually between 24 and 28 degrees Celsius .
这种鱼喜欢较温暖的水，通常在24到28摄氏度之间。
Choose the right size for your aquarium and follow its guidelines , or instructions , to set it up .
选择适合你鱼缸大小的加热器，并按照说明安装。
A light and decorations are the final details to set up your tank .
灯光和装饰是布置鱼缸的最后细节。
A light may not be necessary if the room receives enough natural light .
如果房间有足够的自然光，可能就不需要灯。
But an electric light might be helpful if you wish to grow plants in the tank .
但如果你想在鱼缸里种植物，电灯可能会有帮助。
If real plants seem like too much work , plastic plants work as well .
如果觉得真植物太麻烦，塑料植物也可以。
You can also find other decorations like rocks , or wood pieces .
你还可以找到其他装饰品，比如石头或木块。
Just make sure they are safe for fish .
只要确保它们对鱼是安全的就行。
The quality of the water is important to keeping a fish alive and healthy .
水质对于让鱼存活和保持健康非常重要。
The filter and heater will do a lot to keep the water safe for the fish , but there are additional steps you should take .
过滤器和加热器能在很大程度上保证水对鱼是安全的，但你还应该采取一些额外措施。
Make sure the water you add to the tank is safe for fish .
确保加入鱼缸的水对鱼是安全的。
Tap water can be used .
可以使用自来水。
But it usually contains a chlorine-based chemical harmful to fish , so additional steps need to be taken .
但自来水通常含有对鱼有害的含氯化学物质，所以需要采取额外措施。
Krista Keller is a professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine .
克丽丝塔·凯勒是伊利诺伊大学厄巴纳-香槟分校兽医学院的教授。
Pet stores sell dechlorinating chemicals and they are easy to use .
宠物店有卖除氯剂，使用起来很方便。
Just follow the instructions on the container .
只要按照包装上的说明使用即可。
Stores also sell home water testing products .
商店也出售家用水质检测产品。
But many fish stores are happy to test your water if you bring in a small amount .
不过，如果你带一点水过去，很多鱼店都很乐意帮你检测。
They can also provide advice on keeping fish in your area's water .
他们还能针对你所在地区的水质给出养鱼建议。
After setting up your tank , there are a few more things to consider .
鱼缸布置好之后，还有几件事需要考虑。
You will need to feed your fish and change its water .
你需要喂鱼并给它换水。
There are many choices for food .
鱼食有很多种选择。
There are pellets , frozen whole foods , freeze-dried foods , and live food .
有颗粒饲料、冷冻整只饲料、冻干饲料和活饵。
Pet stores will carry many of these .
宠物店里很多种都有卖。
Feed your fish once to twice a day .
每天喂鱼一到两次。
Whatever food you choose , make sure it contains meat or insects because that is what bettas eat in the wild .
无论选择哪种鱼食，都要确保含有肉类或昆虫，因为野生斗鱼吃的就是这些。
It is suggested to change one fourth of your tank's water once every week or two .
建议每一到两周更换鱼缸里四分之一的水。
Remove the old water and add fresh water .
把旧水抽出，再加入干净的水。
Your filter also may require some additional cleaning every month or so .
过滤器也可能需要大约每月清洗一次。
Male betta fish are kept alone because they are aggressive fish .
雄性斗鱼要单独饲养，因为它们是好斗的鱼。
Another name for bettas is Siamese fighting fish .
斗鱼的另一个名字是暹罗斗鱼。
Males should never be kept with other betta males .
雄鱼绝对不能和其他雄性斗鱼养在一起。
If you have a larger tank with other fish , they might live together peacefully .
如果你有一个养着其他鱼的大鱼缸，它们也许能和平共处。
But know that male betta fish often attack other fish and may have to live separately .
但要知道，雄性斗鱼经常攻击其他鱼，可能需要分开饲养。
Female betta fish can live with other fish peacefully .
雌性斗鱼可以和其他鱼和平相处。
A group of females can be kept too .
也可以把一群雌鱼养在一起。
Make sure they have a tank that is large enough and a filter designed for the tank's size .
确保鱼缸足够大，并配备与鱼缸尺寸相匹配的过滤器。