Betta Life

[SwimmerWithFish]

Ok, so recently I got my first betta, a male crowntail named Spike. This summer i cleaned out my family's old 10 gallon tank that had been sitting in the basement for probably around 6 years. I fixed it up with a new filter, some gravel, and lots of scrubbing and vinegar. The tank was cycled for about 3 weeks then Spike moved in. I was at Petsmart to pick up some stuff for my dog, and I felt so bad for the fish in the little tiny cups so I decided to rescue a little guy and use the tank. Most of the other fish were listless and lying at the bottom, but Spike was zipping around and active. I added several live plants as well as a betta log- I was worried he was a little exposed, and two gold mystery snails- Xander and Cordelia. 5 points if you can guess their namesakes. huge fan Since adding the plants Spike has been really really happy, he's always hiding in them and I think he started a bubblenest! Also- on another note, does anyone know if the snails are nocturnal? They are always active in the evening but hardly ever in the day. I thought they were dead at first And every night I find a snail in Spikes log which is not touching the wall. How do they get in? They are mystery snails I guess! Spike eats in the log every night so I think they are cleaning up his scraps but it's kinda funny. All right: pictures. The quality is really bad cause I had to use my ipod. The room I have Spike in has curtains so my camera was too dark without the flash and the light scared him.


Spike!


Snail!


Is this a bubblenest?


Spike's cup next to his new home.

 

[ZephyrStarPlaties]

Cute betta! That cup is huge compared to the ones I see at my lfs - they're about three times smaller.

As for the snails, I frequently find mine crawling upside-down on the surface of the water. That's probably how yours get to the betta log.

 

[SwimmerWithFish]

Ah. My father is a science teacher, and was saying something about surface tension and mucus allowing them to do that. I was confused, and I have't seen them do it, but that must be how they are doing it. I was thrown off by the fact that the snails are pretty big. I suppose the cup is bigger then some but it was still pretty pathetic. Thanks! Spike has a huge ego...he likes to preen and "strut" around

 

[SwimmerWithFish]

Ok, so here's the question of the morning: how do some users manage to get beautiful, clear pictures of their bettas? As I mentioned above I have been having some trouble getting pictures of Spike. Thanks.

 

[ZephyrStarPlaties]

Ok, so here's the question of the morning: how do some users manage to get beautiful, clear pictures of their bettas? As I mentioned above I have been having some trouble getting pictures of Spike. Thanks.

If your camera has a close-up mode, use that and hold the button down a bit longer. It works best with bright lighting.

 

[HannahBear77]

you used vinegar to clean out your tank with out any troubles?
im trying to find other methods other than using Milton which basically is a sterilizer for baby products in the UK to clean out 30 gallon

 

[SwimmerWithFish]

you used vinegar to clean out your tank with out any troubles?
im trying to find other methods other than using Milton which basically is a sterilizer for baby products in the UK to clean out 30 gallon

I found several reliable sources that sources that pointed towards vinegar as a cleaning agent. I don't know how it would work if fish were already in there, I read it as a cleaner for old or second-hand fish tanks. I also cleaned it about 3 weeks before spike was added and had a filter running for a few weeks after the vinegar was put in. of course I rinsed and scrubbed vigorously.

Thanks for the camera advice. I'll have to experiment. I'll probably take some tomorrow morning when the lighting in the room is best. Went to the library today and they didn't have any books about Bettas specifically, but the lady promised to put some under name. The selection was a bit limited, but I was able to find The Tropical Aquarium Mini Encyclopedia and Freshwater Tanks for Dummies. Already learning something new!

 

[HannahBear77]

Best time to take pictures of fish specially with out a flash is during the day of have any widows pull the blinds up and let the sun light always works for me even with my small basic digital camera...When using a flash instead of shooting directly at the glass your gonna want to tilt Down a little bit or a lot hope (I explained that well enough) or up if your looking shooting under neath just mess around with it and experiment you'll find ways that work for you

This website is very helpful I think you'll find you will learn a lot from a lot of noligable people And great advice

 

[SwimmerWithFish]

I will definitely try everything you mentioned. They sound like very solid logic that should work. Thanks. Ok, I know I've had a lot of questions but here's one more. My plants have metal weights on the bottoms to keep them from floating. WIll these rust? If so what can I do to prevent the imminent plant escape? And yes, this website has been amazing everybody is so very nice answering all my (obvious) questions. I just got the books because I was at the library and I figured they're free so it can't hurt. Spike is doing well. I've been sitting some water to add and it should be ready this morning, next project is cleaning the tank....I need a new gravel vacuum, but I can't get one this week, so I'll be scrubbing some gravel by hand. Oh well, at least it keeps Spike and his snail friends happy and healthy.

 

[LucyB]

He's a lucky guy!

 

[SwimmerWithFish]

He's a lucky guy!

Thanks I may not have had him long, but he already has a distinct personality and is a big part of my day.
Today was an exciting day for owner and fish. The power went off and stayed off for the duration of the morning. Gave me a little scare...worried about the filter but then realized that being the only fish in the tank it could probably handle the bioload for a few hours. Glad that it's back on. Spike was not amused. Luckily, he has since calmed down and resumed his normal routine of hiding in the plants. I think going without a heater for a bit wasn't too destructive as it is the middle of summer...but still not an enjoyable experience. Later went to a mall and discovered that there local bass pro had a tank the size of my bedroom complete with a waterfall, rock structure, sunken canoe, and 107 fish. The fish were all cold water lake fish including bass and stripers, not very attractive, but never the less, tank envy ensued.

 

[SwimmerWithFish]

Went to my local supplier today and was rather disappointed. I intended to get Spike some treats and they didn't have any. I have previously seen small bowls divided into three sectors of bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia. With only one Betta, this would last a very long time as it was rather large and very affordably priced. I was surprised to find them at out pet "super store" but not a primarily fish supplier. I would have gotten them at Petsmart but I didn't have money on me. Foolish me... On another note, the store left me with a question. They were selling little floating Betta mirrors for "exercise." personally, toting around such large fins, I would think they get enough activity just going around the tank. On the other hand- wouldn't this just stress them out and potentially harm them as they could run into the mirrors. Spike sometimes sees his reflection in the tank wall and attacks it, and he doesn't usually hurt himself, but putting in something designed to do this seems a little like tempting fate if you know what I mean. Thoughts?

 

[SwimmerWithFish]

Just got a new heater and thought I'd get some updated info before I set it up. This is my first betta, and I did some online research and checked out couple of books, but I was wondering what temperature you guys keep your tanks at. Again, he is the sole fish in a 10 gallon tank, accompanied by two golden mystery snails and two anarchis plants. Thanks!

 

[Questions?]

take out the metal it will posion the water eventually. Bettas need about 75 degrees Farenhiet.

 

[MooKretzelMan]

It seems like everyone else has answered all of your questions, except for the one about the mirror. I personally am not a big fan of putting mirrors into the tank, as I believe it causes stress and it seems like you feel the same way.

Also, I just had to add that Spike, Xander, and Cordelia were all characters on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It is one of my favorite shows too!

I hope that all three of them are doing well!