New Betta, Had To Save The Poor Little Guy

[hunter001]

Went into one of my lfs today and kinda fell for this little guy. He looked like he had made friends with the filter inlet as he was stuck to it when i first saw him, of course as soon as i'd felt guilty and got someone to get him for me (also to make sure he wasnt dead) he decided to start swimming to the front of the tank Photos arent fantastic as i can only photograph him from above until hes in his own tank.




I've got him in holding trap in my main community tank at the moment. Its home made so not the tiny things you get in the shops and hes not staying in there anyway hes way to nice for that (just thought id get that out before anyone thinks im keeping him there permanantly.) Got an old school 30l tank for £1 at a boot sale last week im just about to set up for him, just waiting to get a heater and i'll need to seed the new filter thats going in there.



Can anyone suggest any tank mates for him in there? Some cherry shrimp maybe? I know im going to have to make a lid as i really dont want him jumping out, also my 2 year old son has a habit of wanting to feed the fish bread/sweets/ sausage rolls lol. Im also looking into finally making a high power led light for as well for it so i can see his beautiful colours.

 

[lilfishie]

Good on you for saving him, he is going to love all that space and a bargin price too

 

[Honeythorn]

Before you even think of putting the betta in that tank, I'd check how well it's sealed. Those metal frame tanks often fell apart after a few years because the metal corrodes evntually. How is the glass affixed to the metal? with aquarium sealant or something else?

 

[indigoj]

In 30l once your tank has matured a bit then 4 otos would be nice along with some shrimp, dwarf corys (habrosus I think?) or even some khuli loaches if you go for sand substrate.

I agree that you should check the seals on any 2nd hand tank though - I had a leaky one once! Not fun. (half of a 100l tank over the living room at 11pm with about 50 small fish to rapidly re-house....

 

[hunter001]

Before you even think of putting the betta in that tank, I'd check how well it's sealed. Those metal frame tanks often fell apart after a few years because the metal corrodes evntually. How is the glass affixed to the metal? with aquarium sealant or something else?

Its actually plastic around the tank and isn't at all strutural. I will be testing the tank and leaving it in the shed for a few days to check it doesnt leak dont worry and if it does i'll just redo the silicon. I really like the tank its the same as a tank my dad had when i was a kid, its nice and basic.

The little sod managed to escape from the holding trap last night, found him flaring up at his own reflection in the tank this morning. My angels had no interest and were just sat there looking at him almost as if they found it funny he was "scared" of his own reflection

 

[silverrabbit]

He's gorgeous, and great bargain tank