Someone asked this question of me and this was my response:
Betta are great and they are easy to care for. A simple veil tail fish is the best, a red color is most engaging for a young child. Just make sure you pick out a healthy one - one that is responsive and moves around a lot in it's tiny aquatic prison at the pet store.
My favorite tank is a 5 gallon eclipse tank. They are a little more expensive, but they have most everything included: light, filter, hood (some fish jump). I use filtered water to set up with because the water here is terrible.
If you have a good water supply, set the tank up with the gravel and (live plants - most important). Put in the dechlorinator and make sure the fish is at the SAME TEMPERATURE as the water he is going into (just put the bag or cup in the water, and then wait an hour before you add him). I have never had issues with cycling and such nonsense with small tanks.
I ONLY use live plants, simple ones like Java fern and Java moss are great, especially for starters. You fish will enjoy hiding in plants and especially sleeping in them. Sleeping on the gravel may lead to sores that can let in disease, so you want them to have some "hang time" in some lush cushy plants, that will also help keep the ammonia and stuff down.
These fish can eat up to three times a day but most are fine with once a day (as much as they can eat in five minutes). Bett blood worms. You buy them frozen in little cubed compartments in a tray at the food store, and keep them frozen - then take one cube and put it in a film canister or some small container, fill with hot water, and feed your fish about 20 of them once (or twice, depending on size) a day. They will love you and be super healthy. Also rotating types of food is good for diet variation. I feed flake and pellets, so my fish don't get too stuck up. It is also good to fast them for 24 hours once a week.
These fish are tropical and so they like to be warm, a small heater set at 80 degrees if great, especially if you live in a cold area, or have a cold room.
I usually change the filter and 1/2 of the water once a month. Do that slowly so the fish does not go into shock. I usually keep water aged at least 24 hours in the same room (underneath in a cabinet is good) at all times, to do the water changes with. That way you know it's close to the same temp and not going to put your fish into shock, which can hurt the immune system and even lead to death.
Keep your critter Happy and they will do the same for you AND your baby!
Let me know if you need to know anything esle...
I tried to post this in the Betta Enthusiast forum, but it only allows 1,000 words - it suckith!
Betta are great and they are easy to care for. A simple veil tail fish is the best, a red color is most engaging for a young child. Just make sure you pick out a healthy one - one that is responsive and moves around a lot in it's tiny aquatic prison at the pet store.
My favorite tank is a 5 gallon eclipse tank. They are a little more expensive, but they have most everything included: light, filter, hood (some fish jump). I use filtered water to set up with because the water here is terrible.
If you have a good water supply, set the tank up with the gravel and (live plants - most important). Put in the dechlorinator and make sure the fish is at the SAME TEMPERATURE as the water he is going into (just put the bag or cup in the water, and then wait an hour before you add him). I have never had issues with cycling and such nonsense with small tanks.
I ONLY use live plants, simple ones like Java fern and Java moss are great, especially for starters. You fish will enjoy hiding in plants and especially sleeping in them. Sleeping on the gravel may lead to sores that can let in disease, so you want them to have some "hang time" in some lush cushy plants, that will also help keep the ammonia and stuff down.
These fish can eat up to three times a day but most are fine with once a day (as much as they can eat in five minutes). Bett blood worms. You buy them frozen in little cubed compartments in a tray at the food store, and keep them frozen - then take one cube and put it in a film canister or some small container, fill with hot water, and feed your fish about 20 of them once (or twice, depending on size) a day. They will love you and be super healthy. Also rotating types of food is good for diet variation. I feed flake and pellets, so my fish don't get too stuck up. It is also good to fast them for 24 hours once a week.
These fish are tropical and so they like to be warm, a small heater set at 80 degrees if great, especially if you live in a cold area, or have a cold room.
I usually change the filter and 1/2 of the water once a month. Do that slowly so the fish does not go into shock. I usually keep water aged at least 24 hours in the same room (underneath in a cabinet is good) at all times, to do the water changes with. That way you know it's close to the same temp and not going to put your fish into shock, which can hurt the immune system and even lead to death.
Keep your critter Happy and they will do the same for you AND your baby!
Let me know if you need to know anything esle...
I tried to post this in the Betta Enthusiast forum, but it only allows 1,000 words - it suckith!
