Coral Tank For Bettas?

[LeiLana80]

I have an aging, ailing betta. His muscles seems to just be deteriorating (he has a tough time swimming, and it's definitely not swim bladder), and I'm fairly certain he's gone blind. I just feel bad for the poor guy, in his tall 6 gallon tank. Which got me thinking...
Has anyone seen those shallow coral tanks? I'm thinking of tanks like the ones pictured here: GlassCages
Imagine one fitted with a filter and proper lighting? You could make your own "coffee table" aquarium, and it'd be ideal for aging bettas. Still lots of places to swim around in, but they wouldn't have to go far for air.
If I had the $$ I'd TOTALLY go for it. It'd be a fun thing to have anyway!
Am I nuts for thinking about trying this someday?

 

[pablothebetta]

I can see your thinking, it's a very good idea. How old is your betta?

 

[LeiLana80]

I think he's only about 2 years old, which is rather young, I know. My past bettas lived between 3-4 years, but I got them when they were young. This guy I found at a terrible Walmart, half grown and half dead! I do also believe that good breeding contributes to longer lives.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

I honestly think its a good idea. I hd two bettas in a divided tank and one jumped the divider and they fought. While he was healing I dropped the tank depth to 6 inches so he didnt have to use so much energy. If your little guyis having trouble swimming, I would recommend dropping the tank depth for him. It will really help him out Hope my past experience helps you some with your little guy.

 

[LeiLana80]

The other thing I was thinking about is putting a large shelf in my current tank, about 4" away from the surface. So that way he could still roam around up there near air... I feel so bad for the guy! He just hasn't aged well!

 

[Dieses Madchen]

They have leave with suction cups on them that your could put in there. Like a set of stair to the surface.

 

[LeiLana80]

I also read that you can make your own acrylic aquarium (get sheets, measure them out, cut them, assemble them, etc). Anyone here ever done that before?

 

[OldMan47]

Leitlana80, wow, I was surprised to see someone suggest that your octogenarian was only 2 years old. I do not baby my bettas, in fact they live in large tanks with plenty of competition for food and strong water currents. This is my present guy, who is really young at only 2 years since I got him. He lives with and competes with a breeding colony of endlers and is in a 45 gallon tank with a robust canister filter providing flows in the tank. Other fish that he must compete with for his food include 5 bristle nose plecos.
This is him swimming about and just acting like any other fish.

This is the same tank at feeding time.

Let me suggest that a betta that is ailing at a mere 2 years old has something wrong with his environment, not a need for even more babying. Why not try him in an active environment where he will get plenty of exercise and will have other fish to interact with? I always keep mine that way and they never even begin to act like they are old fish until they are at least 5 years of age.

 

[LeiLana80]

OldMan47, not all fish are the same. Some are more prone to early deaths, diseases, etc.
Just like people are.
I've had many healthy bettas in the past who have lived a very long time and were very happy until their last moments. I thank you for your advice, but in this case, I know I am doing the right this for this specific betta.
On a side note, I do with I could set up a large tank like yours! That would be a fantastic dream. However, with a 2.5 year old and another one on the way, I'm quite a busy momma! lol