Hows This Home For My Betta?

[jasminekiddell]

Today i bought a male betta, he's a nice blue,green,purple colour in different lights.
In the tank he has a live plant i beleive its elodea, a treasure chest with a hole in, a filter on very very low and soon to be a heater.

just a few questions,
How does the tank and the betta look?
Where does the betta sleep, floating or on an object?
Whats normal behaviour from a betta?
When should i do water changes?
Thanks.

 

[bagu]

looks okay imho not too keep on the gravel ^^

could do with a cave and a few more plants

water changes once a week with a gravel vac about 30%

i think they lie down somewhere to rest.

 

[jasminekiddell]

Yep, ill add a bit more stuff, is it ok to use fake coral?
i dotn want to take up too much room you see by addng more stuff.

 

[loraxchick]

for the first month do water changes every 3 days 40%...after that do 30% once a week(filter should be cycled at that point-if you dont know about cycling, there is a pinned thread...read up on it if you are unsure) and always gravel vac when you do changes. dont forget to dechlorantate your water w/ changies. after the filter cycles you can think about getting a snail or two or some shrimp.
also, feed him very sparingly (even skip every other day- trust me he'll be fine even if it seems like hes begging for food...they ALWAYS beg)...helps keep the waste down while the filter cycles.
looks nice! get more plants!!! they are good for water quality and more importantly the bettas LOVE them.
cheers. and WELCOME to the forum!

 

[jasminekiddell]

Yep i know about cycling, i have soem nutrafin stuff for decholrinating water.
i just dont know what plants i can and cant have in the tank, i have laot of artificial but dont know which are toxic and ok for them.
My betta loves resting on the filter!

 

[lilacamy931]

Dont do plastic plants as they can rip the fins, silk plants are good if you don't want to have live plants. Just keep an eye on the water parameters. He will be happier the more he has to explore and of course heated water

I am not sure on the whole resting thing. Mine loved sitting on the filter where he could lazily tilt his head to take a breath (only had a week!) Today he was moved to the own luxury of his own tank and now seems to rest on the nobble of the heater even though have a bottle half cut specially for him "just in case". You may want some tall artifical or real plants that are near the surface to rest on, I am sure he will figure out what he likes best.

Also welcome! Have you a name for the sweetie yet?

 

[Gill]

Nice tank. I agree that with Bettas Either Real or Silk Plants should be used.

 

[jasminekiddell]

Thanks, and he shimers alot with his colours reflecting so im think, Shimmer.
I'm ordering a heater tonight and i have some live elodea in the tank, on saturday im goign the fish store again for maybe some sand as substrate, some silk plants and whatever else betta would like.

 

[lilacamy931]

Have fun! I never thought I would own a fish tank past a goldfish let alone love shopping for new things for them

Shimmer is a good name

 

[jasminekiddell]

I just love bettas i went into the pets hop today and saw 3 little tanks about 1gal each with a betta in, the betta in each was ither on the floor looking really bad or on the top looking really bad, then i spotted 'Shimmer?' in a tankw ith tetras and was like that one! lol. shes really nice.
just took these pics so you can see her better, ill take some better ones when shes more settled,

Does she look healthy?

 

[lilacamy931]

WOW! The colours really are fantastic for a name like Shimmer, glad the little guy has a great new home (also envious of your hot pink walls, I want!)

 

[jasminekiddell]

When he swims i see all colours come out in him like purple,blue,green and little lights of red.
just found a silk plant in my fish box, ive placed it in the tank he likes hiding behind it.

 

[lilacamy931]

Bonus! Well on your way

p.s. just to be nosy are you UK or US based, if UK based there may be fishy things can recommend in UK

 

[jasminekiddell]

Uk

 

[jasminekiddell]

Ohhh and the tank is 21litres, about 4gals.