Hi Everyone!

[Novice betta owner!]

Hi Everyone,

I have joined the forum hoping for some advice with my Betta.

I have a 1 gallon un-filtered tank kept at over 70.

My problems are my betta seems to be be very happy immediately after a full water change and then (as soon as a day later)becomes subdued and stays resting on his plant at the top of the tank.

I have considered this may be lack of oxygen and have done another partial water change today.

In addition to this he does not like his pellets, but will eat blood worm (i have tried him with Hikari and now Atisons Betta Pro).

I am also concerned that the place where my partner purchased him from did not recommend a filter or heater - a second fish supplier also confirmed betta's do not need either.

And lastly!! my betta has dark gills the fish supplier advised this was due to hard water in our area (they are NOT blood streaked)and did not recommend ammonia testing.

I am sorry to ask so many questions but i have had mixed advice and do not want to shell out vast amounts on equipment that is not necessary but i also love the little guy!!

thanks,

Becky

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[shi24137]

Bettas should be kept in no less than 3 gallons, filtered water is best and lack of oxygen makes no difference, they breathe surface air, try some flake food, my bettas prefer it along with bloodworm, always remember that bettas are tropical fish, you LFS needs new employees for telling you that. And those are not gills, the darkness you are seeing is his beard, it comes out when he flares up. No worries, it's always good to ask questions, your betta may seem sad bc his tank is so small, he doesn't have very much room to swim, it's kind of locking a kid in a closet...no room to play. Hope this helps!!!

 

[Novice betta owner!]

Hi Shi thanks for your advice

 

[Rummynose]

If you have no filter, especially if you do not have a heavily planted tank you need to check the ammonia!!!!
Like Shi already said, Bettas are tropical fish and if you live in a cold climate the Betta would appreciate a heater as well. Those people giving you that advice are going by how they keep Bettas in their store. We all know how they are being kept in those tiny cups, how sad they look in there...those are not long term living conditions.
Fish are meant to swim, Bettas are fish too and they can't swim in those cups, nor in those Betta "Aquariums"! They won't have a chance of a long life in cold water with no filter.
Gee, I get claustrophobic just thinking about those poor Bettas!

 

[Fishy friend2]

just a little note, if you have a beta in an unfiltered one gallon aquarium, the needed amount of water changes would be 1 50% water change and 1 100% water change

 

[shi24137]

No problem! Keep us updated on how he is doing, btw he is GORGEOUS!!!

 

[Blubble37]

if that guy said not to check for ammonia then he knows that there will be a problem with ammonia

 

[Novice betta owner!]

Thank you all so much for your replies,

because he was flat all day today (resting on his plant at the top of the tank) I gave him a 100% water change and all of a sudden he is all over the place!(keeping in mind he had a 100% water change yesterday also) - this is why I was concerned it was to do with oxygen, I have also fed him a blood worm which he has eaten but he still will not eat the pellets!

I am worried I do not know the Betta's character enough to understand what to expect

 

[shi24137]

Go get him a filter, a heater, and a bigger tank! If you get the starter kits they have everything but the heater. He needs more space to live and the bigger the space the less water changes you need to make. Changing his water too much may stress him out and eventually kill him, also the ammonia concentration in such a little space is like pouring acid on his skin, I would suggest getting him a 5 gallon, I have mine in 10 gallons, not to mention you can decorate a little more. I really urge you to get him a bigger space, a heater and a filter...and try tropical flake food, mine seem to love it. Good luck!

 

[Rummynose]

Go get him a filter, a heater, and a bigger tank! If you get the starter kits they have everything but the heater. He needs more space to live and the bigger the space the less water changes you need to make. Changing his water too much may stress him out and eventually kill him, also the ammonia concentration in such a little space is like pouring acid on his skin, I would suggest getting him a 5 gallon, I have mine in 10 gallons, not to mention you can decorate a little more. I really urge you to get him a bigger space, a heater and a filter...and try tropical flake food, mine seem to love it. Good luck!

Oh yeah! I agree! I have my Betta in a 10 gallon, with lots of plants, a mopani wood and a pirate ship decoration! His true character came out as soon as he was used to the tank. He's such a clown. Patrolling his "kingdom" going under the wood, trhough the holes in the pirate ship, weaving through the plants, "walking" across the gravel, laying beside the Kuhli Loaches, plastering himself onto the sponge of filter intake...

It is so much more interesting for him, and so much more interesting for the observer. I can unterstand why people keep Bettas in larger community tanks, provided the Betta has a tolerant disposition, because his true beauty comes out when you can see him actually move!!!

 

[Novice betta owner!]

Hi Guy's thanks again i shall keep you informed of progress and may see if I can get more feedback on the other area's of the forum.

Thanks again