Giant/king Betta Questions

[cowgirluntamed]

I'm still mourning the loss of my beautiful boy Aidan but I've been looking at betta pics in eBay and from the seller that I bought him from.

At first I had an idea about getting a blue gourami instead of a betta until I saw that they got really big so wouldn't even do well in a ten gallon. Lol. So..no go for that idea.

As I was scrolling through eBay though I was seeing some gorgeous Bettas that are the king/giant kind. Would these be ok for a five gallon? I would be upgrading to a ten eventually but I dont know how long it would be. And how much bigger do they actually get from a regular betta?

Anyway, it was just an idea. I may find a normal sized one I like better. But I wanted to ask. Right now I'm going to clean the tank really well and let my crypts grow back and get different plants and play around. It's other inhabitants are 3 horned nerite snails.

Thanks for any advice. I sure do miss my poor guy.

 

[cowgirluntamed]

Anybody got any idea? Lol. Also...how hard would it be to switch a betta to pellets if its been on a live/frozen diet? I don't want to do live...i have freeze dried things right now though never gave them to Aidan. Just his omega one pellets. Can you give freeze dried after soaking first? I could try frozen though not sure how to do it if I only have one betta. Lol.

 

[NickAu]

 
Also...how hard would it be to switch a betta to pellets if its been on a live/frozen diet?

Not hard, He may not take to them straight away, but just keep offering him a pellet if he wont eat it take the pellet out and try again the next day.

 

[cowgirluntamed]

Would freeze dried be ok instead of frozen? Much easier for me to deal with. I dont mind soaking them either and ive got a bunch already on hand for my tetras that love them. I usually give freeze dried something to them twice a week. Should it be different for a betta to give a more varied diet? If he won't eat the pellets for a bit? And what are your thoughts on fasting? Should it be done once a week or no?

 

[NickAu]

I do not use freeze dried, But if you do make sure you pre soak the food in a spoon full of tank water for about 15 to 20 minutes before feeding.
 

 
And what are your thoughts on fasting?

Fasting wont hurt, however if you feed a high grade pellet, I do not think it is necessary.  I do not fast my fish. 

 

[cowgirluntamed]

Ok, thanks Nick! Now to figure out about the giant thing...lol. if I get one I'm assuming it would take more food. But would a five gallon tank be ok....lol.

 

[LyraGuppi]

I think that for a short time, a five gallon will be fine. (as long as it's not a tall version) The giants I've seen are usually 3 inches and more, while normal bettas are around 2.5in at most.

 

[cowgirluntamed]

It's not a tall version. How short of time do you think? I wouldn't want to leave him in too long but at least I could guess at a time frame for getting one and being able to provide a ten gallon. Depending on what this last guppy of mine does...i may have a ten gallon sooner. I'm letting him live his life out and not get any more but that tank will more than likely be bleached and everything cleaned good first. That's if I don't use it to quarantine new fish for the bigger tank I'm working on still. Haven't quite decided yet.

 

[LyraGuppi]

I'm not an expert on this, but for a few months it should be okay.

 

[cowgirluntamed]

Ok, thanks! At least I have an idea. I could always email the seller as well to see what they say. If they have any recommendations anyway. And like I said...I'm looking into getting a giant but may not. Lol. Depends on if I see any others I like in the meantime when i'm ready for more.

My nerite snails in that tank don't seem to be doing so well and I'm not sure why. I forgot to do a water change after the two working sessions I did...so I'm wondering if that has something to do with it. They aren't dead but not wanting to move around. I out some seaweed wrap stuff in there and put them on it but I dont know if they will eat it. They've moved a little and are just still again...I'm wondering if I should try a bit of salt in their water. Or move them to a temporary completely cleaned and heated container to see if they move around. (I did just over a 50% water change Tuesday and added carbon yesterday morning. Doesn't seem to have helped.)