Bette Fish Care! help?

I just got a better yesterday and he is currently living in a 2 gallon bowl with colorful gravel that came with the bowl and a plant. I heard they can't live in bowls but some people say it's fine. He has been exploring the bowl and sometimes he goes up. I feed him these pellets called tetrabetta floating mini pellets. Do i really need a tank with a filter and heater? I don't have that much money...