I used to have a betta one of those little 1 1/2 gallon tanks - if theres any way to tell if a fish 'likes' his 'home' - then Azure did - I had him for 5 or 6 yrs before he got Dropsy and died. he was very active in his little tank, and he had two companions over that time.

some of them even come with a light and undergravel filters, which will keep the water fresher a little longer - however, remember that a betta's fins are fragile, and they prefer 'still' water, not 'turbulent' so if it HAS an undergravel filter, like some do - make sure you get an air pump that has adjustable pressure, or get a 'divider' ( makes two air lines out of one) to bleed off some of the air pressure.

Actually, I preferred to use a 'sponge filter' as it would clean the water and provide beneficial bacteria without churning up the water at all.

I'd agree about the chinese algae eaters - they might be OK when they are very small - I had one in my big tank for about 3-4 yrs - he started out the size of my little finger and grew to be about 6 - 7" long. the bigger he got, the more agressive he got.

If you want an 'algae eating' fish that will be compatable with almost any small tank fish - or a betta - try an "Oto" - they are a tiny ( about 1 - 11/2") glass and bottom sucking fish that never get much bigger than that. they will eat leftover bottom food and the algae off the rocks and walls.

Snails CAN be good - but - you can't always find a good one. the ones that often show up in your tank(they come on plants from the store by accident) they are asexual and will multiply like crazy and make a nusance of themselves. if you buy a 'big' specialty snail - like those 'gold mystery snails' they often are really 'apple snails'. Most of those won't reproduce unless you have a pair. They eat anything EXCEPT algae and they POOP alot - they foul the water in a small tank fast. we had one (in a 20 gal tank) it was cool to watch him eat - veggies, dead fish, fruit, anything organic. we had him about a year, and he grew from quarter size to the size of a small crabapple - But we actually named him 'Sir Poop-a-lot' because of the mess he made.

A male Betta will fight with any fish that it sees as remotely like itself - size and flowing fins ( Male Guppies, long finned danios, long skirt Tetras, many types of goldfish, etc.)

there's actually a misconception about Bettas - because they CAN survive in mucky, small, stagnant puddles with larger temperature variations in their natural habitat, and because they DO fight with each other and have to be kept separate in stores to keep from losing stock (stores loose $) many stores like the pet chains will tell you that a vase, small glass cube, 1 gal tank, etc is a great home for them. Sure, they can survive in those for awhile -

But hey - you COULD live in a box year round and use a port-a-potty for a toilet, too - but would you be Healthy & HAPPY?

I love camping - but I wouldn't want to LIVE in my own mess 24/365, would you?

that's why, if you can, give your Betta his OWN space - (esp if it's small, less waste in the water)

use conditioned water (I have a big water jug - holds 2 1/2 gallons - that I make up with tank conditioner when I clean the big community tank- that way it keeps and I don't have to 'mix' it every time I change a bit of the small tanks water.)

Change 1/4 to 1/3 of the water weekly, or use a filter (then change about 1/2 of the tank, once a month or so)

keep the tank/bowl in a spot with a stable temp, or use a small heater ( there are 25 watt heaters available pretty cheap)

Keep a (non-airtite) lid on the tank (Bettas have been known to jump out of bowls)

Live plants add oxygen to the tank - but you don't need them if you filter the water, and live plants are hard to keep going unless you have adequate lighting to make them grow.

Bettas are fun - they actually have personalities and will come loking for you when you come into the room, or when you feed them. sometimes you can train them to come eat out of your hand. Enjoy your Betta - they make a great pet!

laura