Saved a Betta, I hope...

[LostFisher]

Well I had my aquarium up and running for about 2 days. The mini filter and 50 watt heater seemed to be working fine and the water had cleared down nicely after the onxy sand settled. Yesterday I stopped over at a friends and his mother was about to dump a blue betta down the toilet. I told her I would take it. So I brought it home and slowly introduced it to the tank. After he was in he was not very active, he went and hid behind a rock. I also noticed his color went from a dark blue to a very pasty white sickly color. I watched him for awhile but then fell asleep. This morning I noticed his color was much better, I would say his body is a darky grey/black and his fins are blue with a little red. Do bettas change color very often? Do you think he will be ok, I have not cycled the tank yet, I had planned on buying plants tonight and planting the tank. Do you think I can still plant the tank and can I keep him in the tank while I do this.

Thanks

LF

[OrionGirl]

Yes, yes, and yes. Do daily, small water changes to prevent the ammonia from building up, and add a plant as soon as possible--even something like horwort will help, and the betta will like having a bit floating to hide in. If you can pull a bit of the substrate from a cycled tank and put in in either the filter or on the substrate in this tank, you'll introduce the good bacteria and they'll colonize sooner.

How big is the tank? If it's a 10 or bigger, there shouldn't be a huge spike from one small fish. If it's a 5 or less, you'll need to watch it--and the temperature. A 50 watt heater is a lot for a 5 gallon tank--I ran a 15W on mine, and found it still got too warm when the lights were on--now it's ona timer and goes on when the light goes off, and off when the sun comes up.

[LostFisher]

Its a 7 gallon minibow, I havnt seen the heater even turn on yet. Shouldnt there be a orange light or somthing that shows up when it goes on? I looked at the temperature and it is staying at just under 80 degrees, I would guess 79. I set the heater to 76 for right now just cause the heat doesnt seem to be dropping at all.

On a side note I tried to feed him a few flakes last night and he did not seem to pay any mind. I figured that he was still alittle nervous and scared, is there another type of food I could also feed him that he might take more readily.

Final question is about the filter, I have it right now shooting out the maximum flow, its a AC mini filter. The water doesnt seem to be disturbed to much, but I noticed the beta at times will stop swimming and then drift backwards. I am guessing those big fins are like sails and the current is blowing him around. Could this be possible problem for him?

Thanks

[OrionGirl]

As long as the heater is working, you should be okay--just watch it when the lights come on.

For feeding--betta can be amazingly picky. Mine snubs flake food, but adores frozen blood worms and frozen brine shrimp. Make sure to remove uneaten foods so it doesn't pollute the tank.

For water movement, shouldn't be a problem as long as there is a sheltered area available. Doesn't have to be near the surface--pretty much anywhere in the tank will work. They can be strong swimmers, but frequently have to build up the muscle if they were being kept in the standard bitty bowl/cup. I have one in a 4 right now, but he was in my 40. Loved playing in the current, vigorous swimmer. Now he's a terrorist--chases his tankmates (oto and kuhli loach) and makes sure they know who's boss. The puffers in the 40 were brutal, or I would have left him in the big tank.

[LostFisher]

I dont really have any cave or anything up right now. I put in a piece petrified wood, and 2 rocks. Do you think I should take out one of the rocks and maybe get a cave of some sort, or can anyone think of a way to make a natural cave looking hiding place?

[steeltown]

LostFisher,

Orion is right, they are very picky. Mine took to "betta bites" pretty easily. I've since switched him to hikari betta bio-gold pellets. They don't sink when they get caught in the water current. Yea!!

Good for you for saving the little guy.:)

[OrionGirl]

It wouldn't have to be a cave, just a sheltered lee where the water current slows down a bit. Try making an L shape of the rocks on the far side from the return--should be enough. In the 40, all my bettas have enjoyed draping themselves over the top of powerheads, or within some floating plants.