Throughout my years of keeping pets, Betta fish have without a doubt been one of the most fun to raise. These active little guys go so far beyond being just fish, and make great companions and roommates as well. In this article, I'm going to cover a few reasons why Betta fish make great pets and why you might consider getting one.

1. They are highly intelligent and social. First of all, a Betta fish isn't just a fish. They are not like goldfish, in that they're mindlessly wait for food and have no personality of their own. In fact, they really are quite social and you will notice that they develop their own unique properties the longer you keep them. For example, I have a Betta fish that will always stick to the side of the tank I'm closest to when working in the office. Another pet I had in the past would jump up to grab food off of my fingertip and then flit around excitedly once he had grabbed it.

2. They are low-maintenance pets. Another score in the favor of Betta fish, is that they are relatively low maintenance that's after their initial setup. While the tank does require a heater and filter, it becomes relatively self-sufficient after that and all you have to worry about is a daily feeding and a weekly water change, which takes just five or 10 minutes.

3. They take up very little space. Betta fish take up very little space, even in a tank of recommended size (of 5 to 10 gallons). Outside of the tank, you'll need a small space to keep things like their food, filter cartridges, chlorination drops, and maybe some water set aside for the next change.

4. They keep you company. Another great thing about Betta fish, is that they keep you company. Even if you are living in an apartment complex that does not allow pets, fish are usually an exception and these fish make excellent pets indeed. Usually fish seem like they are at the low end of the pet scale, but because they do have unique personalities and are generally active during the day, they can still provide companionship and moral support when you're home alone.

5. You can show them off. Not only do Betta fish make good pets to care for, they're visually appealing as well. When friends come over, they always like to see the Betta swimming around in their tank with their flowing fins and vibrant colors. In addition, you can even train your pet to do simple tricks, like jumping through a hoop for food, or swimming through the water. Other tricks you can do include having the fish follow your finger on the side of the tank, and jumping out of the water to grab food from your fingertip.