Betta Rescue!

[Assaye]

I've done it again . . .

This time, the new addition was a bit of a rescue effort. A lfs has their betta in tiny cups of cold water. Hardly more than .3 litres. Some of the betta hardly move from the bottom and I'd been in a few times over the last couple of weeks and seen this same little fella lying on the bottom of his cup. No-one wanted him as he looked half dead, and I'd seem loads of other fish sold and new stock arrive and he was still there! However, I couldn't afford a swanky new £50+ tank set up so it seemed I was doomed to watching this little guy go un-loved.

Then, when poking around a local pet food shop, I noticed they had tiny 4 gallon plastic 'goldfish tanks' that would be completely unsuitable for a goldfish but perfect for a little betta who needed a bit more space and some love.

So now I have a new addition to my team. Not sure what to call him yet - I think I'm going to go for an ancient Egyptian god theme with my betta. Can anyone suggest a favourite god? I've already got Osiris, and I'm saving Anubis and Ra for two of my dream betta. The new little fellow has dark red fins that turn to blue up close to his body, and a shimmery bluey-pink body.

I'll get some photos of him soon. He's got a nice little filter, terracota pot cave and a lovely, sprawling plant from one of my other tanks. He's moving around and perked up loads. He won't eat yet, though and he doesn't have any interest in flaring - even when he was sitting in a bag right next to Oz who was getting very, very defensive of his tank with this rival floating in it! I'm just giving him time to settle in.

EDIT - We named him Orion.

 

[lilacamy931]

Hahaha lol these are the exact names I have just recommended on another thread, how bizarre is that, obviously have similar taste (good taste).

How about going by colourings etc Ifrit, Shiva, Orion, Sirius?

Poor little fellow, he probably is just settling in, PICCCCCCIES!!!!!!

Can't wait to hear his name. I have the perfect name saved for my dream betta when eventually get (white CT!).

 

[Forestpisces]

Haha my OH is half hindu and his grandmother would go ape at the thought of naming a fish after a god, personally i'd go by what he looks like.

 

[Assaye]

I named my lovely red VT Osiris so keeping the god theme going just seemed a cool idea. My other half likes 'Set', the god of necessary chaos. As this little dude is a riot of odd colours and is bringing more chaos into my house, we think it fits. I like the idea of using names like Orion and Sirius, though! Maybe we'll branch out on the betta naming and go for anything that is awesomely mythical.

So we'll have a think, and sleep on "Orion", "Set" and "Sirius". Hopefully we'll be able to settle on a name in the morning. Pictures coming soon!

Any hints on keeping unheated water warm? I had a heater ready but it seems to have a broken thermostat. Need some way of keeping one of the little tanks warm while my heater is in the other one. I can top it up with warm water when I'm at home, but I'm not sure what will happen when I'm at work.

 

[Forestpisces]

Put the tank in a warm place

Turn your heating up

Wrap a towel around the tank (a thick one)

 

[Galanta]

You are a GOOD person!! Saving another little soul ...

Other than moving the tank to the warmest spot in your house/apartement you could try putting a regular area heater which has a thermostat on the same shelf.

As to a name - found out that there are at least 115 Egyptian gods!!

http/www.nemo.nu/ibisportal/0egyptintro/1egypt/index.htm

I didn't look at all of them, but like Mentu. God of War and Sun!

 

[anusingh88]

You guys are inspirational...haha....i've never read so much discussion on a betta name....but good going!

I like the name Sirius.

 

[lilacamy931]

lol great minds think alike Need more names my other half is a walking book of them! We like mythological and stars too!

 

[Assaye]

He's called Orion. Thanks lilacamy931!

He's not eating though, and looks pretty thin. Seems happy and colourful, but I'm still worried. Any ideas? Tried him on frozen food, flakes, pellets and sinking pellets. Grr!

 

[loraxchick]

just keep offering food...he'll eat eventually...new ones take time to settle in...some longer than others...just offer and remove uneated pieces...offer again a few hours later, etc...i had a boy take over a week and even then would only eat bloodworms...had to slowly ween him onto other foods and he still wont eat pellets (little brat!) almost a year later with frequent offering.
best of luck!

 

[lilacamy931]

Just keep trying, bloodworm is a good way to entice, but keep it varied!

 

[Assaye]

He's still skinny, but he's eating now. Got him munching pea, cucumber and Hikari Betta Bio Gold. Not re-tried him on bloodworms and other frozen food yet.

 

[lilacamy931]

Really good to hear!