Jumping Into The World Of Bettas

[Jen]

Well, today I did something I never thought I would. I've never really been a big fan of bettas (I didn't like the fact that they are always alone - I felt that they needed a friend or something.)

So anyway. I've had this 5 gal tank that I've been itching to set up. I went to my lfs to get some gravel and look at fish that I could put in a 5, and walked by the betta wall. I love looking at all the colour combinations and this one guy just poped out at me. So I jumped ship, and bought him. I quickly set up the tank,filled it with water from my 90, pulled some media from my big tank, and am currently aclimatizing him now.

He's a veil tail, white body and fins and red spots on his fins. So pretty. I can't wait to take some pictures of him.

 

[Joby]

He sounds great but we want pics!

 

[Jen]

Don't worry... there will be pics.

I know he's only been in the tank for like 30 minutes, but he's spending alot of time on the bottom... leaning against the plants or hiding under the heater. He did eat a bit of flake that I put in there. How long doesn it normally take for them tobecome active. I do have a filter in there on very slow... there is almost no trickle, so I doubt he's being pushed down.

 

[CAC]

He sounds great but we want pics!

i agree with Joby, Pics please
sounds lovely

Mikey

 

[BWBettas]

Normally within a week they will be ok and buzzing around

Bret

 

[Jen]

Well, here you go. He looks a little on the pink side, but thats the lighting. I can't tell if all his fins look like this, but I love it. It looks like it should be a shower curtain, or something.

 

[CAC]

Very nice, looks like a VT to me, but we cant see all of the tail...


Mikey, good find BTW.

 

[RandomWiktor]

Gorgeous betta, and lovely spacious set up you have for him! Once he gets used to the space, I'm sure he'll be very active, though it helps to have the temp above 74 (they really have an idea range of 76-80, but are fine in about 72-82). Quick note though - I would avoid feeding flake. Flakes are a common cuplrit in swimbladder disease and constipation. Might I suggest a high quality pellet, plus frozen/live foods?

 

[Jen]

I am hoping to planting this tank... but nothing over the top. I couldnt get any special substrate (flourite or ecocomplete) like I was hoping, so it's just plain gravel - I normally research everything to death before jumping into it, and this was so spur of the moment that I had to make some sacrifices. If I come across any in the near future, I'll take out what I have in there now. I did take a few plants from my main tank and put them in, but nothing special. I would love to have a moss covered bottom and some bushy plants in one corner. I kinda have it all planned out, but can't do anything about it yet (key word.... yet!). Light is an issue though. A big issue. The tank is a kit tank... hood is plastic with 1 incandescent bulb in it. I don't think I can mod it enough to get anything substantial in there. And building one is out od the question since the tank is a bowfront.

RandomWiktor - I have the temp around 75 right now. I'll try to keep it there. I'll also get some pellets tomorrow. Is there a brand I should try to get? I have some frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp that I give my other fish every now and then, so I'll cut a chunk off and give it to him.


Thanks for all the great comments!

 

[RandomWiktor]

Hikari and Atison's are considered the best brand by most betta keepers, but they are both pricey, so it is up to you. I like BioBlend Betta, but have trouble finding it recently. I know others who feed Omega (I think) and seem to enjoy it. But basically, any small-sized pellet designed with bettas in mind should be sufficient. You may even want to use several brands for dietary variety, though if you have only one betta, it might not be feasable.

 

[splashluff]

Congrats! =0) he is really cute, I love the cello & red fins. I'm sure he will be up and swimming around his spacious home in no time.

You don't really need to feed any dry foods. Just give him a few thawed Bloodworms or BS once or twice a day and he will be very happy! I mostly feed my Bettas from BW's & BS, a little bit of daphnia and grindals and occasionally pellets, and they're very healthy.

 

[greyko]

He looks a lovely fish, i the colouring on his fins.

i got only my second betta on the weekend. first was a rescue from a friend, and he was always poorly, so it's nice to have a healthy, active young lad. i'd guess how long before they become active is probably dependent on each individual fish. my new lad sat still for a few moments, then gave the tank a good explore, beat up some snails, and now patrols back and forth at the front of the tank.