Questions on wilds

Obelisk

Obelisk

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Feb 19, 2009
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I've been interested in getting some Betta smaragdina or B. imbellis.

So for those who have had these:

How was your experience with them compared to splendens? Are they more shy? Are they just as willing to take the betta pellets?

Are there any other species of wild betta that you would recommend?

Thanks in advance for any tips.
 
They're more shy and delicate. I've kept imbelis.

Each species is different in requirement details, but generally expect normal betta care - slow moving water, a lot of plants, acidic pH, soft water, etc.
 
My wild caught imbellis came out of a pond in Malaysia less than two weeks ago, and they aren't shy at all. The male and female took to dried bloodworms right away. The female started eating pellets after a week, and the male is chewing them longer before he spits them out. I'm sure he will be eating the pellets before long. I have a little ZooMed cannister filter on a 10 gallon tank, with the spray bar pointed at the aquarium wall, and the current isn't too strong for them. The big difference between the wilds you mentioned, and splendens, is that you can keep a pair in a 10 gallon tank.

hope this helps
Joe
 
They jump. Keep em covered or you will be sad sad sad - like I was with my first wilds. A friend of mine breeds wilds and keeps dried banana leaves on hand for his tanks - to keep them acidic like their natural environment (in the case of most wilds). You want your water to be a nice brown color, like tea. Lot's of live plants for them to hide their shy selves in. Banana leaves are a lot cheaper than Almond leaves and you can usually find someone who grows them, or even at a local health food store market.
 
Hairechest said:
They jump. Keep em covered or you will be sad sad sad - like I was with my first wilds. A friend of mine breeds wilds and keeps dried banana leaves on hand for his tanks - to keep them acidic like their natural environment (in the case of most wilds). You want your water to be a nice brown color, like tea. Lot's of live plants for them to hide their shy selves in. Banana leaves are a lot cheaper than Almond leaves and you can usually find someone who grows them, or even at a local health food store market.
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My local supermarket has banana leaves available in the frozen section. I actually use driftwood to keep the ph in their tanks low, though I've noticed that it loses it's effect after a while...... so I'll cut out a section to expose fresh wood to the water.

Would peat moss have the same effect for them, or do they specifically need tannins from leaves and wood in their water?
 
I don't think frozen banana leaves would work. When vegetation is frozen fresh, the cells tend to burst. It would probably decay too quickly in the tank to be of much use. I don't think I would bother with the peat either, as PH isn't all that critical for splendens group Bettas. The tannins are imo the main benefit of dried banana, ketapang, almond, or oak leaves. I believe it makes the fish a bit more resistant to parasites and disease. If you are an accomplished fish keeper, and keep the tank clean and do the required water changes, I don't think that you need to worry about tannins at all.

Joe
 
Finster said:
I don't think frozen banana leaves would work. When vegetation is frozen fresh, the cells tend to burst. It would probably decay too quickly in the tank to be of much use. I don't think I would bother with the peat either, as PH isn't all that critical for splendens group Bettas. The tannins are imo the main benefit of dried banana, ketapang, almond, or oak leaves. I believe it makes the fish a bit more resistant to parasites and disease. If you are an accomplished fish keeper, and keep the tank clean and do the required water changes, I don't think that you need to worry about tannins at all.

Joe
Click to expand...

You're right about the frozen leaves not being of much use. There's a banana plant which grows in my neighbor's backyard and overhangs the fence into my backyard. I think I'll just grab a leaf and let it dry out to use it in the betta tanks. I know it's a banana plant because it does in fact grow bananas, though I wouldn't eat one that's been grown in probably polluted suburban soil. I live in South FL btw.

Although I do keep up with the water changes (not that it's that much work, as I keep only 2 bettas in each divided 10 gallon, with a filter), I have noticed that my bettas definitely became more active and lively after putting driftwood in their tanks.

IMHO, the tannins naturally benefit them even if they are being kept in good water conditions.
 
Definitely beneficial. Just saying it's not 100% necessary. Some people like to run carbon in their filters, and have nice crystal clear water. I like the look of tannins in the water myself, but you can do well either way.
Good luck. The wilds are much more interesting fish to keep imo.

Joe
 
Finster said:
Definitely beneficial. Just saying it's not 100% necessary. Some people like to run carbon in their filters, and have nice crystal clear water. I like the look of tannins in the water myself, but you can do well either way.
Good luck. The wilds are much more interesting fish to keep imo.

Joe
Click to expand...

All right, thanks for the info Finster.
 
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