I just rescued a betta!

[Amphitrite]

Today I was out and figured I'd stop in this new petshop that just came to town. I saw lines and lines of tiny styrofoam cups with two males in each one! I told the employee and she didn't seem to care but said she'd tell the manager later. Ugh it was so bad, the water was all green and murky. Since they only charged like 15 cents I figured I'd rescue one from it's awful prison cup. I looked around and finally found one, he was swimming around under the other male in a circle along the base of the cup, stressed as hell, his fins were all down and he looked beat up. I decided he was the one. So I brought him home and named him King, the red crowntail betta. I found an old see through plastic bin that's roughly 10 gallons. All that is in there right now are a couple of rocks and plastic plants. I get paid friday so I'm going to get some live plants and what not.

I have a couple of questions.
- Any reccomandetions on some plants? nothing too expensive though.
- Do bettas -need- a filter if their water is kept clean?
- Any suggestions?

Here are some pictures!

 

[KeddyPie]

2 in a cup?? That's just cruel >_< Congrats on the rescue.

Anyhow, I don't have much, 'cause this must be fast. I have work to do. Lots of plants are great, clay puts are nice too.

No filtration necessary if you do a 100% water change weekly.

That's it.

 

[splashluff]

whoa... did I read that right? in a styrafoam cup with another Betta? jeebus. King looks in very good condition for being in a container with another Betta! Congrats on the UBER pretty boy, its wierd because I just saw a CT like him at my LFS today while getting plants, and I was super tempted to get him ... also, just in case you weren't sure, he is not beat up, he's a CT. It looks like there could be a little bit of tearing on the dorsal, but his tail rays are in great condition!

1) Java Ferns RAWK! I just bought a bundle from my LFS (like, 10-15 plants) for $8. They grow with natural light and no or little plant food. Water sprites, Cacomba or Java Moss is good too.

2) No, they actually prefer not to have a filter. If he's in a 10gal, that is very large and most people would suggest a filter... you don't wanna be changing a 10gal frequently, its just a big hassle. If you don't want a filter, there are plenty of nice smaller tanks that don't require any ~ you can get a 2-5gal Kritter Keeper for $10-15, much easier to do water changes for, and 2-5gals is plenty of space for a Betta.

3) not that I can think of

 

[Amphitrite]

Water change is no big deal. I can get a good water conditioner, 16 oz for around only 2.50 and the bathroom in like 3 feet away from my door so it's not far to carry.

I'll look into those plants, does the java fern need dirt to grow in or what? I'm kind of new to the whole 'real plant' thing.

 

[splashluff]

Nope, Java Fern can grow in just water, they dont even need to be anchored down they grow really well just floating around, and boys like to bubblenest under the leaves!

Personally, I'm not into carrying 60 lbs of water even 3 feet ( 1 gallon = 6 lbs)!! LOL, but its your choice! I do prefer Kritter Keepers over storage containers also because you can see through them a lot better.

 

[Amphitrite]

Well I'm not the one going to be lifting it, my dad is doing that! I can see through the container quite well. I think I'm just going to keep him in it and divide it down the center so I can rescue another, because those poor boys at the petshop at just in very bad condition. Thanks for the information everyone.

Edit: Can you provide me with a website link that'll tell me what kinds of plants they like and don't like?

 

[KeddyPie]

My fave fern started rotting when I didn't anchor it to a rock. Maybe mine is just defectiive ^^ But once it started attatching itself to a rock, it even made babies, and now I have 2 or 3 really nice java ferns growing.

 

[lljdma06]

Good Rescue! The betta actually doesn't look too bad, it's a nice CT, from what I can see. Java fern works really well, and if you are able to get a nice light, nice light consists of a desk lamp fixed with a compact florescent. You can put some floating plants on top. My bettas really enjoy duckweed for bubblenest construction and it looks very nice.

 

[jollysue]

Bettas need to have a cover with air openings. If they arre w/o a cover, they could and might jump out

 

[Amphitrite]

There is a cover. A bug screen that's been pulled over the top so air still gets in the but betta can't get out. As for a light i've got a UV desk lamp over the top which emits -a lot- of heat to keep the water at normel temp.

 

[jollysue]

So far, so good.