New To Beta

[enzorunge]

Hi All,
 
Have just got my first Beta in a long time, am now 41 and its amazing how keeping fish/beta has changed since I was a lad. All good : -)
 
Have had an amazing little charaters called Enzo (Siamese Fighter HM Red and Lace) and have just placed him in his own tank tonight whilst I sorted water for last couple weeks.
 
Would like to learn how to breed them and perhaps meet up in basingstoke hall sometime.  So please feel free to drop me a line and offer advice.
 
Thank you all in advance!
 
Jason

 

[GuppyGirl20]

HI and welcome! You're definitely going to want to stalk the betta section lol. Have you ever breed before or is this you're first time attempting??? I too want to breed betta one day so I've been looking into and seeing if I can pick up tricks.
 
 
Also just to make sure you have everything right since you;re new: what size tank is the betta in and what's the temperature of the water? 

 

[enzorunge]

Hey FC
 
Its a 21 litre .... aquamanta tank ... just been running around this am as poor chap Enzo kept getting his tail sucked onto filter ...so have built small rockery so as to still provide filtration but he cant get to close to the "dangerous part".
 
Tenps settled at 25c but I believe I should try get it a little higher ....the heater says its 27 on dial but thermometer says about 25, ...Im guessing therms telling the truth.
 
He seems fine so far ...no fin clamp and hes swimmimg around checkiing out his new turf.
 
I think Im first going to get this right before I even attempt to breed more "Enzos" lol
 
Also what are your thoughts on tank dividers ie 21 litre tank split down middle for two Beta? I see loads of people doing it but I dont want to follow crowd unless I know its ok for fish.....Id rather just go out an buy another smallish tank for another Beta : )
 
Cheers  J

 

[attibones]

Ten liters (approximately) would be way too small for any fish. I don't keep fish in anything under ten gallons (though I have a 2.5 that I might set up as a fishless plant tank) but five gallons is still good for a betta.

Did you cycle your aquarium before adding your fish?

If he still gets his tail caught in the filter, you can add a fine sponge/foam to the filter and it should work well. This will also give you the added bonus of polishing your water and providing and additional space for bacteria to thrive.

 

[Shelster]

I'm not a fan of tank dividers to be honest, have heard too many stories of fish jumping over (bettas are good jumpers) and things ending in tragedy.

Good excuse for another tank if you have the room to be honest

 

[GuppyGirl20]

Hmmmm I don't know liters to gallons (sorry) but if you wanted to divide a tank you could get a ten gallon and split it so the bettas would each have five. As mentioned before bettas are jumpers so you'd have to make sure there is no way one could jump into the other section.

 

[enzorunge]

Hi All,
 
Yes I did cycle tank for just over a week.
 
I left the lights off today (there was enough day light) and he ventured out a few times .... he also ate a little.
 
Re the filter:  I ended up going to pet shop and bought some large pebbles and built a small rockery around inlet part ..so looks nice and is still natural.
 
I am glad you all have advised rather getting another tank vs splitting tanks.  I wanted an excuse to go buy another tank lol

 
My partner has a 42 litre tank downstairs (5gal) I think ....this is my first tank of my own in about 28 years : -)
 
Thank you all for the advice ....I shall keep you all posted.
Cheers J

 

[Ninjouzata]

When you get your new tank I recommend you fish-less cycle it following THIS. Leaving a tank for a week does nothing except ensure the equipment is running.
Do you have a test kit? You'll want to keep an eye on the water parameter's in your current tank since it isn't cycled. 
 
You also might like THIS betta care sheet, it's a good read. Be sure to post some pics of your current tank, the new one, and if your partner is okay with it we'd love to see that one too!

 

[enzorunge]

Hi Folks,
 
I have some pics of my tank and Enzo ...how to I upload them its not allowing more than 300kb ...my pics are about 1500  each ....anyways you can help?  Sorry Im not tech minded.
 
J

 

[Ninjouzata]

You can upload them to a photosharing website such as photobucket and link here, if you like You can also use photobucket or paint to resize the pics so you can upload them.

 

[enzorunge]

Errrg couldnt get picks uploaded says they still to big ... anyway not to worry : -)