Back, And Among Other Things...

[K.J.]

Just got back from Phoenix. So, let's start:

I was at a bookstore and was browsing books, came across a sort of dictionary about fish. Naturally I looked up the betta and saw, "never keep two males in the same tank, although a male to several females is okay." ....You'd be better off with a male and a male, so many would be killed. Why write a book if you give false information?

I got another betta. Force of habit. I didn't get it in phoenix but in washington.. hey, I didn't get a souvenir. Pictures later. His name is Phoenix.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

any pictures of him? crazy book!

 

[Synirr]

That was the conventional wisdom not too long ago; the book is not necessarily outright wrong, just outdated

 

[SPLiSH]

That was the conventional wisdom not too long ago; the book is not necessarily outright wrong, just outdated

Yep, you wouldn't believe the stuff people used to think was acceptable... for example, rinsing fish under tap water to rid them of parasites! They said the chlorine killed parasites. Well it probably would have, the fish along with it.

Can't wait for pictures of Phoenix!

 

[Synirr]

Actually, quick exposure to tap water like that isn't going to do any permanent damage unless your tap has as much chlorine as pool water or something. Salt dips are effective parasite treatment as well, and also fatal if you leave the fish in too long; it's the dose that makes the poison. Depending on the chlorine levels in your tap water you may not be doing any good whatsoever though, so conventional treatments are better for that reason, in addition to being less stressful on the fish, of course.