Starting with Bettas
- Thread starter cbass179
- Start date
Fortunately, along with being as beautiful as they are, they're easy to take care of. It's best to keep them in at least a 2.5 gallon with plenty of surface area (because they breathe air), they prefer the 70-80F temperature range, (which is normally room temperature so you probably wont need a heater), and in the wild they're normally preyed upon, so, because of instinct, they'll be much happier with a cave or plant (live, silk, or plastic) to "float on". some people say betta's tear their fins a fair bit on plastic plants, but that's never been an issue with me. the plant also can "anchor" their bubblenest together.
Aside from that there's not really much else. tapwater will normally be fine for the guy, it's best to feed him once a day (and skip a day sometimes, so they can clean out their digestive tracks), do a nice water change every week to remove ammonia and such, and he'll be happy as ever.
also I like to put in some salt, which can do a fair job killing any becteria/fungus/parasites in the water.
...I dont think i missed anything...
Aside from that there's not really much else. tapwater will normally be fine for the guy, it's best to feed him once a day (and skip a day sometimes, so they can clean out their digestive tracks), do a nice water change every week to remove ammonia and such, and he'll be happy as ever.
also I like to put in some salt, which can do a fair job killing any becteria/fungus/parasites in the water.
...I dont think i missed anything...
most of the 2.g gallon kits come with an internal filter and a heater.the cost is about $35,so it's something to think about.room temperature is not always good enough since bettas are warm water fish and require a constant temp of 78 dregrees.also use waterconditioner when u do waterchanges.
Nice choice, bettas are beautiful fish.
A 10g tank won't cost you much more than a small 'desktop' tank - you can get 10g kits at many aquarium stores (and Wal-marts too, I believe) that are very reasonable. A tank with more space and a filter will keep your fish in much healthier conditions, as well as allowing you some room if you decide you want to add some small fish later on.
Small tanks often come without lights or use incandescents - with a very small volume of water, these bulbs can heat the tank up significantly, stressing the fish.
A fluorescent fixture runs much cooler and provides more flexibility (you can find many types of bulbs to suit different needs). If you get a kit that comes with an incandescent light fixture, you can replace the lightbulbs with full-spectrum compact fluorescents. Using fluorescent light, you can keep some low-light plants if you want to - this isn't really feasable with a tiny tank.
I think that for a little more money, a 10g is a much better buy since it allows you to do more and keep the fish in better conditions.
A 10g tank won't cost you much more than a small 'desktop' tank - you can get 10g kits at many aquarium stores (and Wal-marts too, I believe) that are very reasonable. A tank with more space and a filter will keep your fish in much healthier conditions, as well as allowing you some room if you decide you want to add some small fish later on.
Small tanks often come without lights or use incandescents - with a very small volume of water, these bulbs can heat the tank up significantly, stressing the fish.
A fluorescent fixture runs much cooler and provides more flexibility (you can find many types of bulbs to suit different needs). If you get a kit that comes with an incandescent light fixture, you can replace the lightbulbs with full-spectrum compact fluorescents. Using fluorescent light, you can keep some low-light plants if you want to - this isn't really feasable with a tiny tank.
I think that for a little more money, a 10g is a much better buy since it allows you to do more and keep the fish in better conditions.
Swimfins
This is as good as it gets.
A tank is best of course, but with conscientious care, you can keep him happy in a bowl with a plant or silk plant like I have. He's right next to the computer , I keep a desk lamp over him and he enjoys being in the middle of the action. He's eyeballing me now, wiggling in front of the glass for attention. I clean his bowl every second day, add 1ml of declorinator to his gallon and set him back in his spot. He loves water changes and has learned when he's near the sink its transfer time. He's really bold and is not stressed at all by moving him. He's sociable and loves attention. When he sees someone sit at the computer he comes to the front of the glass wiggling for attention. I will probably start up 5 gallon for him, because I like him so much. But he'll still stay near the computer because its nice having company when your online lol Here's Billy.
Here's Billy.