I'm addicted to bettas, what can I say. However, it seems that whenever I get them, they succomb to tail rot. Is it just two major pet stores that shall remain nameless? I have a 2 gallon tank and I treat the water and everything, but I lose them. Any tips? I have sanitized the tank according to the way mentioned on bettatalk.com....but does anyone have any luck with bettas from major pet chains?
Betta question
- Thread starter billsdixie
- Start date
I have a betta in my 29 gallon community tank that I got from petsmart. At that location, they have the bettas plumbed, so it was constantly giving them freshwater. Ive only had him for about 1.5 months, so I cant declare success right now, but he seems to be happy. Welcome to Aquariacentral.
I have a betta in a 1.5 gallon aquarium... no heater but has a makeshift bubble wall (this is actually the SpongeBob Square Pants aquarium sold at PetSmart). This betta came from PetSmart in Greensburg, PA and not only have I had him for at least 6 months now he survived a four hour drive to my new apartment in Virginia. We (me and all my fish) have been living here since the end of january and my betta seems to be doing just as well as ever.
Betta from PetSmart
I've had my betta in 1 gal. for about 3 years now. I do regular water changes. The tank has an under gravel filter with an airstone tube for circulation. He is quite happy and alert, and seems to recognize my movement near the tank as meaning it's feeding time. He's doing well so far...
I've had my betta in 1 gal. for about 3 years now. I do regular water changes. The tank has an under gravel filter with an airstone tube for circulation. He is quite happy and alert, and seems to recognize my movement near the tank as meaning it's feeding time. He's doing well so far...
2 gallons isn't too small for a betta. Niether is a one gallon really, as long as you are very good about keeping the water clean and the tank tidy and you have it in a place where the temps aren't fluctuating too much.
I have some very happy healthy betta in 1 gallon tanks. their color is good and they are very lively and active. I do keep them near one another so they have another fish to interact with. They flare at each other a bit when first introduced, but quickly settle down once they get used to the fella next door.
I also have betta in a 5 gallon tank and a 10 gallon divided for 4 betta...both have a filter and heater. I love these fish and take very good care of them. I collect them because I enjoy the many varieties of color and finnage that you find in the betta. I have to chuckle when I read folks getting all incensed and outraged with bettas being in anything smaller than 10 gallons.....but I also think it's a bit much to pile on someone who does have them quite content in smaller tanks....as long as they are keeping the water quality up. Of course, betta most certainly do make a very nice show fish for any larger tank, as long as the tank mates are compatable.
Sorry, enough of my rant, if you want to call it that..........Dixie...check the PH level of your water. I have found that higher PH can effect the health of bettas fins. I had one in perticular that no matter how clean I kept the water....and took EVERYTHING out of the tank thinking he was possibly snagging his fins on the plants....his fins still would tatter for no apparent reason. I put him in a tank with peatmoss underneath a plant substrate...got the PH down to 7.6...(it was 8+ !)...and I haven't had a problem with him since. Also, be very careful about how much water conditioner you add to the water....and do let the water sit for a few days at least before you use it for a change.
When you buy your bettas, make very sure they are healthy and active...with no signs of fin damage or rot. If you find out when the store gets thier bettas in you could go and buy them on that day. Then you know they havn't been sitting there for days and weeks before you buy them. Better chance of getting a healthier betta...and also an unusually colored one. The nicest ones go pretty fast. I totally understand your betta obsession....lol....
Also, carefully and slowly acclimate them to their new home..adding a bit of your water to the water they came in...helps too
I have some very happy healthy betta in 1 gallon tanks. their color is good and they are very lively and active. I do keep them near one another so they have another fish to interact with. They flare at each other a bit when first introduced, but quickly settle down once they get used to the fella next door.
I also have betta in a 5 gallon tank and a 10 gallon divided for 4 betta...both have a filter and heater. I love these fish and take very good care of them. I collect them because I enjoy the many varieties of color and finnage that you find in the betta. I have to chuckle when I read folks getting all incensed and outraged with bettas being in anything smaller than 10 gallons.....but I also think it's a bit much to pile on someone who does have them quite content in smaller tanks....as long as they are keeping the water quality up. Of course, betta most certainly do make a very nice show fish for any larger tank, as long as the tank mates are compatable.
Sorry, enough of my rant, if you want to call it that..........Dixie...check the PH level of your water. I have found that higher PH can effect the health of bettas fins. I had one in perticular that no matter how clean I kept the water....and took EVERYTHING out of the tank thinking he was possibly snagging his fins on the plants....his fins still would tatter for no apparent reason. I put him in a tank with peatmoss underneath a plant substrate...got the PH down to 7.6...(it was 8+ !)...and I haven't had a problem with him since. Also, be very careful about how much water conditioner you add to the water....and do let the water sit for a few days at least before you use it for a change.
When you buy your bettas, make very sure they are healthy and active...with no signs of fin damage or rot. If you find out when the store gets thier bettas in you could go and buy them on that day. Then you know they havn't been sitting there for days and weeks before you buy them. Better chance of getting a healthier betta...and also an unusually colored one. The nicest ones go pretty fast. I totally understand your betta obsession....lol....
Also, carefully and slowly acclimate them to their new home..adding a bit of your water to the water they came in...helps too
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I agree that you dont' need 5 gallons to keep a betta. Let me tell you about my little betta.
We bought him three years ago. For the first two years he lived in 1/2 a gallon with no filtration or heating and infrequent water changes. Then I got into fish, bumped him up to a 2 gallon with a UGF where he lived happily for a year. Two months ago he was moved to a 5 gallon with a sponge and heater.
He's four years old, lived most of his life in unheated, unfiltered water. He's old now, not very active, but still has all of his color.
We bought him three years ago. For the first two years he lived in 1/2 a gallon with no filtration or heating and infrequent water changes. Then I got into fish, bumped him up to a 2 gallon with a UGF where he lived happily for a year. Two months ago he was moved to a 5 gallon with a sponge and heater.
He's four years old, lived most of his life in unheated, unfiltered water. He's old now, not very active, but still has all of his color.
I agree considering i have 4 males in my 25g spearated by betta barracks which are less then 1g each
By the way heres a link to what "Betta Barracks" are just in case you were wondering
By the way heres a link to what "Betta Barracks" are just in case you were wondering
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Heres the link to what a Betta Barracks is.
http://www.hagen.com/canada/english/aquatic/product.cfm?CAT=1&SUBCAT=122&PROD_ID=01109390010101
http://www.hagen.com/canada/english/aquatic/product.cfm?CAT=1&SUBCAT=122&PROD_ID=01109390010101