'betta' Care For My Betta!

[Novice betta owner!]

Hi Everyone,

I have joined the forum hoping for some advice with my Betta (we have had him for 2 weeks).

I have a 1 gallon un-filtered tank kept at over 70.

My problems are my betta seems to be be very happy immediately after a full water change and then (as soon as a day later)becomes subdued and stays resting on his plant at the top of the tank.

I have considered this may be lack of oxygen?? and did a 100% water change again today (last one yesterday) and now he is once again full of beans??

In addition to this he does not like his pellets, but will eat blood worm (i have tried him with Hikari and now Atisons Betta Pro).

I am also concerned that the place where my partner purchased him from did not recommend a filter or heater - a second fish supplier also confirmed betta's do not need either.

And lastly!! my betta has dark gills the fish supplier advised this was due to hard water in our area (they are NOT blood streaked)and did not recommend ammonia testing.

I am sorry to ask so many questions but i have had mixed advice and do not want to shell out vast amounts on equipment that is not necessary but i also love the little guy!!

thanks,

Becky

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[Bri]

Hi firstly your betta is gorgous. I was given the same advice when i got my betta, no heater or filter. Now after six months i have learned alot about bettas and think i can answer some of your questions. So firstly your betta does need a heater and his tiredness may be from this. I have learned if their colour darkens it is due to stress possibly from the cold water.
So you do need a heater. If the problem is oxygen you could get a low flow air pump. that would sort it and it can look very nice. i had one and my betta did like it swam in and out of it.
Also make sure you only have silk plants. I also bought a betta log on ebay for my one and he loves it. They allow them to sleep close to the surface and is super cute to watch for you. Of all the websites i have looked at the best by far http/nippyfish.net/
It is a brilliant site and has loads of ideas for your tank and friends from your betta. The only question where there is debate on is weather your fish needs a filter or not. Some people say no, some say a low power flow filter is fine, im not sure what the answer is.

Check out nippy fish the blog is amazing and will probably have all you need and much much more for your betta to be more than happy 24 hours a day.

One other note is that there is a leaf you can buy for the betta that sticks to the side of the tank, i thought this sounded like a great idea but when i researched it i learned it could rust and then gut your betta, so dont buy that just in case.
my advice might not be perfect as i am new enough to all of this but i hope it helps

 

[bettaboy150]

nice betta, and bettas need time to adjust, i recived a salamander HM a couple days ago, he just sat there at the bottom, until i fed him sum blood wrms and gave him alittle mirror to look at, then he sprang to life, try to play with him alittle.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

bettas do not really need filters if you are willing to do water changes, but they most definitely need heaters. Not only do they stress some in the colder water, but it leaves them prone to becomming ich ridden as well as the slower metabolism could open up the betta to swim bladder issues (i have had these problems, so I am speaking from experience) You can buy flat heaters from the LFS that are perfect for betta setups and they wrok great (have them in mine)

 

[bettaboy150]

bettas do not really need filters if you are willing to do water changes, but they most definitely need heaters. Not only do they stress some in the colder water, but it leaves them prone to becomming ich ridden as well as the slower metabolism could open up the betta to swim bladder issues (i have had these problems, so I am speaking from experience) You can buy flat heaters from the LFS that are perfect for betta setups and they wrok great (have them in mine)

About A year ago, on christmas, (not this one ) i was giving fish supplies as gifts and i recied 2 heaters, they work really well, if i cud find the banme, i would share the info.

 

[pablothebetta]

My problems are my betta seems to be be very happy immediately after a full water change and then (as soon as a day later)becomes subdued and stays resting on his plant at the top of the tank.

I have considered this may be lack of oxygen?? and did a 100% water change again today (last one yesterday) and now he is once again full of beans??

It won't be lack of oxygen - bettas take their oxygen from the air, not the water. How often do you perform water changes? In an unfiltered tank, harmful toxins will build up very quickly. Personally, I'd have a filter, it makes everything a lot easier (water changes etc) I believe Azoo makes one for tanks as small as yours.

In addition to this he does not like his pellets, but will eat blood worm (i have tried him with Hikari and now Atisons Betta Pro).

Some bettas are just fussy. If he eats blood worms, keep him on blood worms. You could try other live foods such as brine shrimp too.

I am also concerned that the place where my partner purchased him from did not recommend a filter or heater - a second fish supplier also confirmed betta's do not need either.

Bettas need heaters just like any other tropical fish, unless room temperature will keep the water constantly at the temperatures required (aka if you live in a particularly hot area). A betta does best in temperatures in the higher 70's, so I'd definitely invest in a heater if I were you unless you live in one of those sorts of areas.
How often do you perform water changes? Large water changes as you seem to be doing are essential if you don't have a filter. Do you use water conditioner? It is essential to remove harmful chemicals from water.

And lastly!! my betta has dark gills the fish supplier advised this was due to hard water in our area (they are NOT blood streaked)and did not recommend ammonia testing.

Not sure about this one, it may just be his colouration. I've not heard of this before. As for testing, you should ideally test for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates regularly for optimum water quality - that way, you basically know if the water is safe for your fish and if you need to a perform water change.

I am sorry to ask so many questions but i have had mixed advice and do not want to shell out vast amounts on equipment that is not necessary but i also love the little guy!!

thanks,

Becky

Not a problem, we're here to help It's good that you want to make sure that you know how to take care of your fish properly, so many people just don't bother.
For equipment, I'd personally get him a nice 5 gallon tank with a filter and heater. IMHO, 1 gallon is a too small. He'll be so much happier and more active and would give you the possibility of adding some shrimp or a snail or two for tankmates (possibly a couple of male endlers if you wanted). When I upgraded my bettas 4 gallon biorb to a 7.4 gallon 'regular' tank (as in square, if you know what I mean), the difference in him behaviour was enourmous. It would also mean less water changes for you, but if you did get him a new tank, remember to cycle it first If you're not sure what this is, I do believe there is an article on the site somewhere.

 

[Novice betta owner!]

Thank you all so much for the advice and Bri it is great to hear off somebody who was not so long ago in the same position!

I definitely will be looking into a heater it seems to be the one thing I hear over and over that the temp could do with being a little higher.

and thankyou for the compliment, i think he is quite a looker also!!

 

[bettaboy150]

My problems are my betta seems to be be very happy immediately after a full water change and then (as soon as a day later)becomes subdued and stays resting on his plant at the top of the tank.

I have considered this may be lack of oxygen?? and did a 100% water change again today (last one yesterday) and now he is once again full of beans??

It won't be lack of oxygen - bettas take their oxygen from the air, not the water. How often do you perform water changes? In an unfiltered tank, harmful toxins will build up very quickly. I advise you get him a small filter, I believe Azoo makes one for tanks as small as yours.

In addition to this he does not like his pellets, but will eat blood worm (i have tried him with Hikari and now Atisons Betta Pro).

Some bettas are just fussy. If he eats blood worms, keep him on blood worms. You could try other live foods such as brine shrimp too.

I am also concerned that the place where my partner purchased him from did not recommend a filter or heater - a second fish supplier also confirmed betta's do not need either.

Bettas need heaters just like any other tropical fish, unless room temperature will keep the water constantly at the temperatures required (aka if you live in a particularly hot area). A betta does best in temperatures in the higher 70's. I'd always have a filter, as I said before, I believe Azoo makes one that may work on your tank size. Otherwise, large water changes are nescescary, such as the ones you must already be doing. How often do you perform water changes? Do you use water conditioner? It is essential to remove harmful chemicals from water.

And lastly!! my betta has dark gills the fish supplier advised this was due to hard water in our area (they are NOT blood streaked)and did not recommend ammonia testing.

Not sure about this one, it may just be his colouration. I've not heard of this before. As for testing, you should ideally test for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates regularly for optimum water quality - that way, you basically know if the water is safe for your fish and if you need to a perform water change.

I am sorry to ask so many questions but i have had mixed advice and do not want to shell out vast amounts on equipment that is not necessary but i also love the little guy!!

thanks,

Becky

Not a problem, we're here to help It's good that you want to make sure that you know how to take care of your fish properly, so many people just don't bother.
For equipment, I'd personally get him a nice 5 gallon tank with a filter and heater. IMHO, 1 gallon is a too small. He'll be so much happier and more active and would give you the possibility of adding some shrimp or a snail or two for tankmates (possibly a couple of male endlers if you wanted). When I upgraded my bettas 4 gallon biorb to a 7.4 gallon 'regular' tank (as in square, if you know what I mean), the difference in him behaviour was enourmous. It would also mean less water changes for you, but if you did get him a new tank, remember to cycle it first If you're not sure what this is, I do believe there is an article on the site somewhere.

oooo very nicely said, and yes, we are here to help, that is what forums like this one is for

 

[Dieses Madchen]

Where are you located? If you are in the US, petsmart and petco sell heaters for small tanks. They look something like this. http/www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4455060 I use them in my smaller betta tanks and they work GREAT. Only 9-10 bucks as well, depending on the store. (i know it says 14.99, but I bought mine for 10 at petco)

 

[Novice betta owner!]

I am doing a full water changed based on his behaviour which has been nearly every day/every other day!

With regards to Ammonia levels, is it common for them to be high in tap water (I live in the West Midlands - UK, where we have hard water) or just water not frequently changed (I apologise for being naive about this!)- people have suggested the black I am seeing is actually his beard?

re: blood worms I have heard this are not ideal to be a stand alone diet? (hence trying the two pellets)

and yes I use tetra aqua safe to condition the water just before it is changed.

Thankyou

 

[bettaboy150]

Where are you located? If you are in the US, petsmart and petco sell heaters for small tanks. They look something like this. http/www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4455060 I use them in my smaller betta tanks and they work GREAT. Only 9-10 bucks as well, depending on the store. (i know it says 14.99, but I bought mine for 10 at petco)

lol new jersy for me, and i know, i have a petsmart really close by my hose !

 

[Dieses Madchen]

If you have ammonia in your tap water, and your tank is unfiltered, I would go to walmart and invest in a big jug for buying purified water. I have 1ppm of ammonia in my tapwater. I use ammonia detoxifying dechlorinators (prime) to neutralize the ammonia while the filter gets rid of it. I have an empty tank that has mature media in it, that is in constant fishless cycles. I do a 100% water change the day before i clean my smaller betta tanks so that I have ammonia free water. I am not saying that you need to do this lol.

 

[pablothebetta]

I am doing a full water changed based on his behaviour which has been nearly every day/every other day!

With regards to Ammonia levels, is it common for them to be high in tap water (I live in the West Midlands - UK, where we have hard water) or just water not frequently changed (I apologise for being naive about this!)- people have suggested the black I am seeing is actually his beard?

re: blood worms I have heard this are not ideal to be a stand alone diet? (hence trying the two pellets)

and yes I use tetra aqua safe to condition the water just before it is changed.

Thankyou

I wouldn't be suprised if ammonia levels were high in tap water, though I've never tested so I can't be sure. As for food, keep trying different brands if I were you. Mine is fed on hikari and likes it, but they're all different. The tetra safe start is fine
Out of interest, from where did you purchase your betta?

 

[Novice betta owner!]

I am doing a full water changed based on his behaviour which has been nearly every day/every other day!

With regards to Ammonia levels, is it common for them to be high in tap water (I live in the West Midlands - UK, where we have hard water) or just water not frequently changed (I apologise for being naive about this!)- people have suggested the black I am seeing is actually his beard?

re: blood worms I have heard this are not ideal to be a stand alone diet? (hence trying the two pellets)

and yes I use tetra aqua safe to condition the water just before it is changed.

Thankyou

I wouldn't be suprised if ammonia levels were high in tap water, though I've never tested so I can't be sure. As for food, keep trying different brands if I were you. Mine is fed on hikari and likes it, but they're all different. The tetra safe start is fine
Out of interest, from where did you purchase your betta?

Hi not sure you'll know it unless from the UK but 'Ripples' a fish seller within a garden centre - the guy did sound quite 'into' his fish, but there you go!

 

[pablothebetta]

Never heard of it myself, but IMO it doesn't sound very good if they're selling bettas with 1 gallon tanks without filters or heaters...