Well I recently received a betta male fish in a vase with one of the plant things that he eats from. I learned that the plant is not enough and that he needs 3-4 pellets twice a day along with it. I know its kinda stupid to have a betta when i dont know a clue about how to care for them, but can somebody help me and just outline the essential care techniques ? btw, im saving up to get him a tank (what size?) since i think a vase is just cruel and my parents won't help me pay ... thanks in advance !!!

A vase is one of the most cruel ways for a fish to live, no fish should be in a bowl or vase.

Tank size: 3 gallon to 5 gallon
Filtered: Will need a filter, if no filter make sure to do 20% water changes daily
Heater: Yes keep tempature around 76 to 82
Feeding: Pellets 3-4 a day, flakes, blood worms as a treat, also have a fasting day (one day out of the week you do not feed him)
Decor: Have a hide out for him, use silk plants since plastic plants can tear his fins, also mirrors are fine but you can only use a mirror at least 5 minutes a day to give him some exercise.

You are going to need to buy a 5 + gallon heated and filtered aquarium. http://www.5plusgallon.co.nr and do weekly 25% water changes with a gravel siphon. I know it seems rude but please tell the person who gave you the gift that it was inappropriate and cruel.

It needs 5 gallons, a heater and a filter. Bettas are carnivores, if a betta is stuck in a vase it will only eat the plant out of desperation, as the owner thinks that what they can live off

Feed him betta pellets or flakes. Just a small amnount, not too much, do not overfeed.

A beta will honestly live fine in a vase. But you do need to feed him. pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
If you really want a tank, a one or two gallon one is more than enough.
They have a special tanks just for bettas. But any small tank is fine.
Here's a couple tanks just to give you an idea.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hawkeye-AquaVi ...
http://www.walmart .com/ip/Hawkeye-BettaV ...

And food wise you should buy food that says that it's for bettas. He should only eat 1 maybe 2 in his lifetime. So it's not really a hassle .
Here's an example of the food:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tetra-Tropical ...

There will be instructions on the jar saying how much to feed him.

Do not over feed. I feed mine very small pieces of raw meat once a day. The food should be no larger than his eye. Feed only once a day. Pellets are also good. Adults will eat house flies. They have teeth so it is not a problem. Keep a bottle of water large enough to refill his container nearby so it will be the right temperature. Change water 100% at least once a week using the aged water.

61 years breeding Anabantoides and other species.

The beatiful thing about betas are ... they are SO easy to take care of. If you have a petsmart or soemthing near by just got there. Go to the fish isles and there should be plenty of choices of tanks, and not too expencive. I feed my beta 1-3 flakes a week! They dont need much at all.

Uncle owns a fish store:)