Bettas

[fish_r_great]

What are the requirements for bettas

 

[Tempestuousfury]

A muddy puddle of water and stale bread are the bare minimum.

However, for healthy abd happy fish, the bare minimum is:
1 tank (1/4 gallon to 5 gallon)
1 net (3"x2.5")
Quality food
Water conditioner
A healthy betta
Turkey Baster(water cleaning)
Tweesers (feeding small amounts)
A book on the subject (a must if you are absolutely new to caring for bettas)

Extras:
Sponge filter
BettaFix (I hear)
Ornaments
Gravel

 

[fish_r_great]

Do you need a filter or a heater

 

[aquarius]

they certainly wouldn't hurt but are not necessary

 

[fish_r_great]

would something like this work?
http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...707&N=2004+2020

 

[Tempestuousfury]

No. Not if it's in a warm room w/o fluctuating temperatures. The turkey baster is for water changes, which you should do every three days or so.

The sponge filter is the best type of filter for bettas b/c it doesn't cause a current and it doesn't suck fry and eggs in. Undergravel filter might work, too. But bettas like small tanks, so sponge filters would be best.

I hope you buy them. They are beautiful and (at times) lively fish.

Precautions:
Don't place bettas w/ other fish unless you are sure they won't kill each other.
Don't place female straight in with the male (check out breeding forums or (I would prefer this so I could show off my expertise )ask me to find out why)
Never place two males in the same tank, ever!

 

[Tempestuousfury]

I have a dual betta hex, but the problem is that it causes tehm too much stress.
Two males together means they'll flare and annoy each other, and a female and male would mean that the guy would start building his bubble nest in the hex and long for the female.

 

[fish_r_great]

Do you need to cycle the tank too?

 

[Tempestuousfury]

I am. It doesn't hurt... You can cycle it w/ the betta in there.

By "cycling" do you mean the initial phase or w/ the fish? (Probably the former, right?)

 

[fish_r_great]

without fish

 

[fish_r_great]

I might get a betta tank tonight

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Not necessary. If there is too much nitrite, nitrate, or ammonia the betta can take air from out of the water. Plus, there shouldn't be much of these chemicals anyways b/c you shouldn't feed them too much and they don't give off a lot of waste b/c they don't eat a lot.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Good! Tell me (and of course I mean "us") about everything when you get the betta(s). I want to know how a newbie to bettas (other than myself, though all my info is accurate b/c I did research b/f getting the fish) cares for his fish.

 

[fish_r_great]

could i get an oto with it

 

[Tempestuousfury]

In how big a tank. With what type of ornaments and gravel?
If it doesn't have a filter, then he might have trouble staying alive, and the food you toss in will rot b/f he can finish it. However, tubifex worms stick to the sides of tanks and can be eaten by the betta and the oto. I suggest asking more questions b/f buying the oto (not the betta, you're fine w/ what you have for now, though a book might help) along with the fact that you'll have to cycle the tank w/ the betta in it b/f you can add the oto.

Algae shouldn't be a problem if that's why you want him, though.