Meet Monitor

[t.ropical_m.istx3]

so since i have amazing friends (who dont know much about fish but hey) i got a new little man for my birthday. he's in a lavaquarium - rather small and he didnt like the airstone, so that was taken out once i saw him, pointing out he was struggling, but unless he shows he's stressed (he seems to be quite happy at the moment) i'll leave him in there.

now as for my friends, kelly was talking to sammi about computer monitors and decided she wanted to nickname someone monitor, but she couldn't think of anybody who didnt have a nickname (i tell her i'm too cool for a nickname) so they teamed up and bought me this fish and a tank and named him monitor. the card said "change his name and you die by guillotine"

i love my friends. so without farther adue, here is monitor (sorry the pictures suck, i was really tired, better one's coming soon. they at least give you the basic gist of his coloring). okay, now without farther adue:

ah dang it, i just realized, i have to edit my sig now - hey, i won't complain

 

[liz2]

lucky you, very pretty boy. But, what is he in a lavaquarium???

 

[lilfishie]

aw hes lovely

 

[t.ropical_m.istx3]

lucky you, very pretty boy. But, what is he in a lavaquarium???

read what i said before, it's up there.


edit: oh and the blue on his fins is actually white.

 

[Maxsmom]

What a pretty boy Monitor is... you've got some nice friends.

Although the lavaquarium is "neat"... it's not really a great home for a betta. From everything I'm reading, both in books and in other betta forums, although a betta can EXIST in a small, decorative home - they're much happier in a place with they can really SWIM. All Monitor will be doing is swimming in circles in the lavaquarium - he'll live - but not very happily. I've read in a tropical fish magazine that bettas kept in small confined places live/exist for 1-2 years... but in bigger tanks where they have room to swim about (and they don't have to be in a huge tank - maybe 2gallons and up) - they can live up to 6-8 yrs... happily. Just food for thought for your fish... not trying to make you feel bad... but you may want to consider making your betta happier in a more spacious home.

It's good you removed the water-bubble machine b/c most bettas prefer still water - there are apparently are exceptions to the norm... but for most, with those long fins along with strong water currents - you can imagine how difficult it could be for them to maneuver in the water. Sometimes, strong currents created by some powerful filters and/or water-bubblers can actually tear at their fins.

Again... I'm new to all of this - so, much of what I said is not from personal experience but from what I've read in books, magazines and on the internet.

Good luck with Monitor - he's gorgeous!

 

[t.ropical_m.istx3]

yes, but if you read what i said, i would feel quite rude if i wasted my friends money and put him in a seperate tank. i also said i did take out the bubbles because he didn't like them. i included that above as to not get a lecture as i did. i wouldn't have picked it out as a tank, but unless he shows signs of being stressed or bored, he seems quite active, enjoying looking at his reflections and the lights in the marbles, i'm not planning on moving him. i'll feel really rude removing him from the tank they got me and putting him in something different.

 

[Maxsmom]

t.ropical_m.istx3, sorry - you misunderstood - my intent was NOT to lecture you... I was simply explaining another side of keeping a betta in a small, narrow vessel... that he may live a longer, happier life in a bigger-type of tank or aquarium (doesn't have to be a huge one... 2 gallons and up.)

Yes, it was a gift from your friends... but I don't think they would be offended in you transfering him to a larger tank, if you decided to do that... and explain to your friends that you're making the fish they gave more comfortable and happy. You can still keep it as a lava-type lamp, can't you?

I just got to thinking... not sure if the lavaquarium has space at the top for your betta to get his gulps of air... he should or he'll drown... esp if the water-bubbler has been removed??

But whatever - that is your decision to make... just explaining another point of view - and that Monitor might be happier in a bigger tank. Good luck with him!

 

[Jaded12]

Hes gorgeous!! Wanna see a picture without the blue tint though

 

[t.ropical_m.istx3]

i just got a few more, i'm not sure if they have it or not, without the camera flash they're pretty blurry but i dunno if that's what gave him the blue tint or not.

i got a few good ones of his face, he's got a whitish face - he's such a cutie.

edit: i'm going to the barn, i'll post them when i get back.

 

[t.ropical_m.istx3]

alrighty, i got the new pictures! here you go:

i was trying to get some of his cute little face...it didn't work out too well

 

[Jaded12]

Awww he has really nice coloring!!

 

[t.ropical_m.istx3]

i've never seen one this color - halfway down his body, his red turns a purpley red then the red on the fins just stops and turns white but on his tail, they have a blue tinge, not nearly as much as was shown in the first few pics though.

he's such a sweetie, he was pouting this morning when i was eating breakfast in front of him - after i fed him he was like "feeeeeeddd me mommy, i'm STARVING!"

 

[t.ropical_m.istx3]

woo hoo! more, betta pics !

 

[Maxsmom]

He's a beautiful betta...

 

[t.ropical_m.istx3]

KAPOOF he goes. he loves looking at himself. he's like "i'm a purdy boy "

its so funny to watch