Interesting, I've never heard that they need at least 10 gallons. Of course any fish would be happy with as much water as possible, and I think the 1/2 gallon set ups are too small, but I've read that 1-2 gallons and up are pretty good. They live in puddles in the wild, so I figured a couple of gallons would be good! I constantly check the water quality, and he seems very happy, and active, building bubble nests etc....
poll, but not really
- Thread starter loucas6290
- Start date
Bettas are alot more active than people tend to think they are. They may live in puddles in the wild, but the puddles over in asia are usually alot bigger than any pond we're used too. When they are only living in ponds it's because of the rains and flooding. Puddles are usually quite larger, maybe not in depth but in overall diameter they're large.
LMOUTHBASS
My hypocrisy goes only so far
cdawson makes some good points - none of us have probably seen the "puddles" in asia that these fish live in. I think they live in southeast asia and vietnam not 100% sure on that though but if that is the case those puddles are probably very marshy and soggy and probably stretch for quite some ways. I'm sure the puddles are among the rice fields etc and are more than your average puddle we are used to in a more urban atmosphere
I do believe these are probably one of the most accidentally abused fish because newbies and just plain ol' folks think these fish can live in cups, not to mention what the lfs industry does to these poor things when being shipped etc
however, I have to believe a dedicated owner like the thread starter is going to give a betta a lot better life than it could wind up with if it were purchased by most other people. When you think about it most fish keepers probably don't bother to really learn about the hobby and they are the ones who constantly kill fish on accident and just can't figure it out. Most betta owners probably couldn't even tell you what ammonia, nitrite or the nitrogen cycle is. Most of their owners just toss them in a small bowl with a plant or something. So let's take into consideration that if the betta is fortunate enough to wind up with a caring owner it's already won half the battle as most people don't know how to care for them and don't bother to learn about caring for fish. So even though she is keeping it in a small tank it's probably a much better set up than it couldv'e had and since it is not i the wild, and it is for sale someone has go to by it right? So thankfully someone like this comes along and actually cares. The tank is probably bigger than what most betta people keep theirs in.
I do agree with the points made earlier about them needing more space in their tanks but i just want to point out the whole picture we have to look at with these fish. It's too bad they don't get treated like most tropical and get bigger tanks - i think their much like goldfish in regards to being misunderstood in the hobby -
I do believe these are probably one of the most accidentally abused fish because newbies and just plain ol' folks think these fish can live in cups, not to mention what the lfs industry does to these poor things when being shipped etc
however, I have to believe a dedicated owner like the thread starter is going to give a betta a lot better life than it could wind up with if it were purchased by most other people. When you think about it most fish keepers probably don't bother to really learn about the hobby and they are the ones who constantly kill fish on accident and just can't figure it out. Most betta owners probably couldn't even tell you what ammonia, nitrite or the nitrogen cycle is. Most of their owners just toss them in a small bowl with a plant or something. So let's take into consideration that if the betta is fortunate enough to wind up with a caring owner it's already won half the battle as most people don't know how to care for them and don't bother to learn about caring for fish. So even though she is keeping it in a small tank it's probably a much better set up than it couldv'e had and since it is not i the wild, and it is for sale someone has go to by it right? So thankfully someone like this comes along and actually cares. The tank is probably bigger than what most betta people keep theirs in.
I do agree with the points made earlier about them needing more space in their tanks but i just want to point out the whole picture we have to look at with these fish. It's too bad they don't get treated like most tropical and get bigger tanks - i think their much like goldfish in regards to being misunderstood in the hobby -
If you go to any big al's and stand in front of the desk they bag your fish at, look up. There's always a huge box of bags of bettas on top of the shelf. It's like a fish market in china, they bags just aren't hanging on the wall. :mad2
If you go to any big al's and stand in front of the desk they bag your fish at, look up. There's always a huge box of bags of bettas on top of the shelf. It's like a fish market in china, they bags just aren't hanging on the wall. :mad2
Also, about the puddles. Don't forget that the nitrates are absorbed through the soil where plants and trees use them. Small bodies of water in the wild don't necessarily mean the water isn't high quality.
Also, about the puddles. Don't forget that the nitrates are absorbed through the soil where plants and trees use them. Small bodies of water in the wild don't necessarily mean the water isn't high quality.
ok ok i get your guys point, thank you all for you suggestions, bu i dunno a betta is probably my last choice, im just not that kinda guy and what you were saying about keeping a few male guppies, i would like to add a coupple of neon tetras instead, i have always gone the tetra way, do u think a school of 3 would be ok? if not im gonna go with the healthies betta in my lfs.
i would rather like something taht schools they just seem more appealling tom me, more suggestions greatly appreciated
i would rather like something taht schools they just seem more appealling tom me, more suggestions greatly appreciated
tricksterpup
It's SPRING!!! BUNNIE RABBITS
The fish that I think that would do well in a tank this size is Heterandria Formosa (least killiefish). I have kept atleast 6 if these fish in a tank like this for a long time with regular water changes and plants. But they do really well and will breed in this tank. They just need proper care and love.
here is a picture of a female and my avatar is that of a pair.
Dawson has a great valuble point to many of these fish are crammed in these tiny tanks. I have a few other 2.5 tanks at home and they are either for the hets or for plants and snails. I dont really load my small tanks. But again, if you get any fish I recommend these guys, the Heterandria Formosa, they are small and very active little fishies.
here is a picture of a female and my avatar is that of a pair.
Dawson has a great valuble point to many of these fish are crammed in these tiny tanks. I have a few other 2.5 tanks at home and they are either for the hets or for plants and snails. I dont really load my small tanks. But again, if you get any fish I recommend these guys, the Heterandria Formosa, they are small and very active little fishies.
they are cool looking are they common, how big do they get and are their any other species vaqriations tha may come in differe3nt colors
tricksterpup
It's SPRING!!! BUNNIE RABBITS
From my signiture..loucas6290 said:
The fish pictured as my avatar is Heterandria Formosa the least killiefish, smallest livebearer in the United states. Picture is larger than life size. Males reach a lengh of 1/4 of an inch and females up to 1 inch.
It depends on what do you mean if they are common? Yes, you can find them in any ditch in Florida and Georgia or any of the southern states. As for color variations? I hear there is a golden Variation but I have not personally seen it myself. I would eventually get a trio of them but they are pretty pricey for a small livebearer.
Now you can order these guys online. from Sach's Aquaculture. I believe you can get 20 for about $24. And you would probably get a few more than just 20.
They are a very hardy fish, take crushed flake very readily.
