Just bought a betta

[aquarius]

well i finally bought a betta. i figured i'd put him in my 1 gallon tank but when i got home, i deided to put him in the big tank with the rest of the fish and see what happens. and he seems to be doing well. the other fish pretty much ignore him and he doesn't bother them either. he's been exploring the tank for the last couple of hours. this little guy is so cute and very curious. i don't know how can people keep bettas in tiny little cups. he swims all over the tank. so do you think i should leave him there or put him in the 1 gallon? i don't know much about these fish and if they prefer to be alone or what. also, the guy at the store said that i should feed him regular fish flakes. is that right? i thought they needed special food. thanks

 

[steppy104]

i'm lucky if i can get any betta to eat flakes....i suppose you could try that...but they've got special food for betta's....wardley's for example.

 

[cometcattle]

You could leave him in but watch him closely. I had a betta in a community tank and had to remove him because my neons were nipping him.

You might want to buy a jar of betta bit. Its only about $3.00.

There is whole thread in this section where I ask other members what brand they feed their bettas.

HTH

 

[Lenna]

The neons were biting him? Maybe that's what's shredded my bettta's fin over the past two nights. At first it was two rips I thought he might have torn on the driftwood, but this morning it definately looks like his fins have been bitten

Before I would have said, sure go for it, your other fish are peaceful. But, I'm not so sure now. All my bettas eat flakes, they leap out of the water for them. But, it's pretty uncomon for bettas to like flakes. I do have Wardleys betta food that most bettas like, but mine hate it (very strange bettas)

 

[Koda]

I'm already finding out that bettas have very individual tastes in food.One of mine will eat bits or flakes but no bloodworms.The other,my foster fish,will eat bloodworms and bits but is not fond of flakes.

Koda

 

[cometcattle]

The neons were biting him? Maybe that's what's shredded my bettta's fin over the past two nights. At first it was two rips I thought he might have torn on the driftwood, but this morning it definately looks like his fins have been bitten

It took me awile (2 weaks) to notice this. I caught a few nipping and he would flare, give a little chase and give up. The neons were too fast. Some people have luck with betta in community tanks, I didnt.

It broke my heart having to move him from the 10g he was in to a 1.5 g bowl, but his fins were getting shredded.

 

[cutecotton]

*note to self* do not get tetras to go with my betta in the 10G

 

[Lenna]

It took me awile (2 weaks) to notice this. I caught a few nipping and he would flare, give a little chase and give up. The neons were too fast. Some people have luck with betta in community tanks, I didnt.

It broke my heart having to move him from the 10g he was in to a 1.5 g bowl, but his fins were getting shredded.

I did this too. I put the betta in a 2.5g tank by himself. I did once see the neons biting his ventrals. I think the "crowns" on his tail are the problem, they look a lot like worms. Hopefully he won't get bored. I had him in a bowl once and he didn't seem to like it.

 

[aquarius]

i fed him flakes last night and he ate them all so i guess they do it them. it's strange that the lfs guy didn't mention anything about special food, usually they try to sell you stuff, even the stuff you don't need. i guess i'll buy it next time i go there

another question, my betta has not been building a bubble nest. is that bad?

 

[kaz petts]

I have a betta in my community tank which has mollys, gouramis, lemon tetras, 2 puffers, 4 corys, 2 pakistani loaches and guppies.
He is quite happy in there with all these and they all seem to get along swimmingly.
My bettas are also picky eaters. The one in the community tank will eat blood worm and will take it quite happily from my fingers.
The bettas I have in my divided betta tank do not seem to like blood worm or flakes but will have a nibble on food specificaly for them.
These fish are specialist fish and are very picky eaters indeed.
This site might be of some help for you to have a browse through.
Betta Crazed
Hope this helps
Kaz

 

[bkk_group]

i fed him flakes last night and he ate them all so i guess they do it them. it's strange that the lfs guy didn't mention anything about special food, usually they try to sell you stuff, even the stuff you don't need. i guess i'll buy it next time i go there

another question, my betta has not been building a bubble nest. is that bad?

there is probably too much activity going on in the community tank for him to want to build a nest. too much water current discourages them as well.