Betta Emergency

[Fifi8885]

Hello All,
I really need help, but first the background info: I purchased two of my very first siamese fighting fish a few months ago. 1 female and 1 male. I placed them in separate tanks, and gradually moved them closer for them to see each other, until their tanks were actually touching. At first they flaired up, but eventually they got used to each other. I noticed some thick bubbles at the top of the male tank, but didn't know what it was. About three weeks ago I purchased a ten gallon tank for my two goldfish and to save space my mom actually added both of my fighting fish to the tank as well(aah!)! They snap at each other a little, but I havn't seen them fight at all. (pheew!) I notice that the female has a large belly and I was wondering if I'm over feeding her?? I feed them 1-2 times daily. The speculation that she may be bearing eggs didn't occur to me until after I read through this site. It dawned on me that those thick bubbles I described earlier may have been my male bettas attempts at breeding!! Sadly, my mom has already didguarded them. =( Do you think there is another chance he may rebuild a nest? And must I remove the goldfish in order for them to spawn?? I'm baphled over this situation and I need some advice PLEASE!!!
Thank you,
Fifi8885

 

[Himmel]

The Male and the Female need to be separated, they may not fight now but the will in the future. Yes the bubbles on the top of his tank would be his bubble nest.

I dont know what else to tell you. I wouldnt breed or attempt breeding untill you reasearch it first.

 

[lisie]

First of all, 10 gallons is too small for one goldfish, let alone two. If they're fancies you need at least 30 gallons, and if they're commons you need a muuuch bigger tank than that...

Also, goldfish and bettas do not belong in the same tank. Goldfish are coldwater fish and bettas are tropical. Bettas need their water around 78 degrees F while goldfish need theirs cooler, not sure of the exact temperature but it's something you should find out. Goldfish are also HUGE waste producers, and bettas need clean water. Goldies should only be kept with other goldies.

And male and females should never be housed in the same tank unless you're actually spawning them (after you've done lots and lots of research on the topic). Males will beat up the female if she's not ready to breed, and chances are one will end up dead.

You really need to get a bigger tank for your goldfish, and get those two bettas out of that tank and get them each their own separate tanks.

The bubbles on top of the water is called a bubblenest. Males make them, and it's where the eggs go after bettas spawn and where the fry stay before they are free-swimming. Male bettas (and sometimes females) will also blow bubblenests when not spawning as a sign that they want to breed.

Anyway, glad that you're here and are asking questions, and hope that you follow the above advice, because it's in the best interest of your fish.

 

[willtang3000]

phew that quite some big mistakes you made there first off goldfish would need way more than just 10g that is tiny for two goldfish and yes he will build a bubblnest in further month or years even if the conditions are right or if he sees a male i suggest taking the goldfish back and separating those bettas

edit:lislie beat me to it

 

[Fifi8885]

First of all, 10 gallons is too small for one goldfish, let alone two. If they're fancies you need at least 30 gallons, and if they're commons you need a muuuch bigger tank than that...

Also, goldfish and bettas do not belong in the same tank. Goldfish are coldwater fish and bettas are tropical. Bettas need their water around 78 degrees F while goldfish need theirs cooler, not sure of the exact temperature but it's something you should find out. Goldfish are also HUGE waste producers, and bettas need clean water. Goldies should only be kept with other goldies.

And male and females should never be housed in the same tank unless you're actually spawning them (after you've done lots and lots of research on the topic). Males will beat up the female if she's not ready to breed, and chances are one will end up dead.

You really need to get a bigger tank for your goldfish, and get those two bettas out of that tank and get them each their own separate tanks.

The bubbles on top of the water is called a bubblenest. Males make them, and it's where the eggs go after bettas spawn and where the fry stay before they are free-swimming. Male bettas (and sometimes females) will also blow bubblenests when not spawning as a sign that they want to breed.

Anyway, glad that you're here and are asking questions, and hope that you follow the above advice, because it's in the best interest of your fish.

 

[Fifi8885]

First of all, 10 gallons is too small for one goldfish, let alone two. If they're fancies you need at least 30 gallons, and if they're commons you need a muuuch bigger tank than that...

Also, goldfish and bettas do not belong in the same tank. Goldfish are coldwater fish and bettas are tropical. Bettas need their water around 78 degrees F while goldfish need theirs cooler, not sure of the exact temperature but it's something you should find out. Goldfish are also HUGE waste producers, and bettas need clean water. Goldies should only be kept with other goldies.

And male and females should never be housed in the same tank unless you're actually spawning them (after you've done lots and lots of research on the topic). Males will beat up the female if she's not ready to breed, and chances are one will end up dead.

You really need to get a bigger tank for your goldfish, and get those two bettas out of that tank and get them each their own separate tanks.

The bubbles on top of the water is called a bubblenest. Males make them, and it's where the eggs go after bettas spawn and where the fry stay before they are free-swimming. Male bettas (and sometimes females) will also blow bubblenests when not spawning as a sign that they want to breed.



Hey Guys!
Thanks for the great (and speedy )advice, I really do appreciate it all. That was actually an e-mail I had written about a week and a half ago, I just posted it to see if I would get any input (I didn't on the last web site). I have actually done quite a bit of research since then and decided to remove the gold fish. However, the male and female bettas are still in the 10 gallon tank, they seem to be getting along nicely. I do monitor them quite often. I have actually seen 2 nests with eggs in the tank at opposite corners--the male is tending to 1 nest and believe it or not, the female is tending to the other nest. When the little eggs come loose, they both take them into their mouths and spit them back into the bubble nest! I'm actually still contemplating on whether to remove the female or not, since she's tending to the other nest. (When I removed her previously and placed her in a separate tank close to the male's tank; she jumped out! I was lucky to find her flapping about on the floor when i awoke just in time from a nap!) I think she may have attempted to jump out in order to reach the male. Another big issue with removing her is that she still has a large amount of eggs inside her (i'm pretty sure) since her belly is still so large and pale. What do you think I should do guys???
Fifi8885





Anyway, glad that you're here and are asking questions, and hope that you follow the above advice, because it's in the best interest of your fish.

 

[lisie]

Well the fry would probably be fine if you took her out, but if you want to let her tend to them, put a tank divider in between the male's nest and the female's nest. When the fry are free-swimming though, take out both parents and the divider. Are you prepared to raise these fry? Have you done research and do you have food for them once they're free-swimming?

 

[Fifi8885]

Hey Guys!
Thanks for the great (and speedy )advice, I really do appreciate it all. That was actually an e-mail I had written about a week and a half ago, I just posted it to see if I would get any input (I didn't on the last web site). I have actually done quite a bit of research since then and decided to remove the gold fish. However, the male and female bettas are still in the 10 gallon tank, they seem to be getting along nicely. I do monitor them quite often. I have actually seen 2 nests with eggs in the tank at opposite corners--the male is tending to 1 nest and believe it or not, the female is tending to the other nest. When the little eggs come loose, they both take them into their mouths and spit them back into the bubble nest! I'm actually still contemplating on whether to remove the female or not, since she's tending to the other nest. (When I removed her previously and placed her in a separate tank close to the male's tank; she jumped out! I was lucky to find her flapping about on the floor when i awoke just in time from a nap!) I think she may have attempted to jump out in order to reach the male. Another big issue with removing her is that she still has a large amount of eggs inside her (i'm pretty sure) since her belly is still so large and pale. What do you think I should do guys???
Fifi8885



Hey lisie (and everyone else),
What should I use for a tank divider? Also, I'm worried about raising the fry, b/c I turned off the cascading filter thinking that it may bother the nests. It creates a ripple effect on the surface. So, I don't know how to keep the water clean now. If I attempt to change it, the nests will be ruptured. Also, when the fry are born they may get sucked into the filter! And, food? I'm not sure...I read about 1 person who grew some tiny animals that they supposedly like (infuriosa??). She crushed some lettuice leaves into some water and let it age until it became cloudy w/ bactearia and then clear again since the (infuriosa??) were eating the bacteria. I may try this, unless you have some other ideas? Also, I've heard of boiling an egg and leaving it in water, not sure about that though. And liquid fry food, I have no idea where to buy it.
Any more input for me??
Thanks,
Fifi8885

 

[lisie]

Well, giving you a couple sites to read is probably the best thing...

http/bettysplendens.com/articles/home.imp

http/bettatalk.com/

Those should answer all your questions.