New To Bettas

[JohnRossDele]

hi all, im new to bettas i had them before but didnt really be that much interested in them.

what im planning to do is

a hexagonal tank
plants and a coconut (half cut) shell

RED/BLACK HM DRAGON MALE BETTA

i should be buying the tank tomorrow & start a fishless cycle

anything i should know & do these fish create a bond with the owner in that they will come up to the glass and admire that your there not like the nervous neon tetras that will swim away and not know anything apart from how to eat and swim

thanks

 

[kizno1]

just make sure the plants are silk or live because plastic once will cut up his fins and amazon frogbit is a good floating plant. once you have had then for a while they will bond with you and come up to the edge of the ank to see you and some will eat out your hand and when you put you hand in the water they will swim round your hand and through your fingers.

 

[JohnRossDele]

just make sure the plants are silk or live because plastic once will cut up his fins and amazon frogbit is a good floating plant. once you have had then for a while they will bond with you and come up to the edge of the ank to see you and some will eat out your hand and when you put you hand in the water they will swim round your hand and through your fingers.

i dont really want the hassle of live plants lol, is there an alternative?

 

[xem]

sounds like a good plan so far. they love coconut shells - although my guy hasn't touched his yet lol.

they will form a bond with you as Kiz said, each betta is different as well with their own personality.

live plans arent too much hassle - there are a good range of plants that don't need CO2 etc to survive - anubias and amazon swordtail(i think?) immediately come to mind. but if you really dont want them then go for silk plants so he doesn't damage his fins

 

[kizno1]

silk plants and try and get once with big leaves for them to lay on.

 

[JohnRossDele]

silk plants and try and get once with big leaves for them to lay on.

k, i'll get them sorta plants then, what other advice would u like to give?

 

[kizno1]

remember to feed it lol
and what temp is the tank? it need to be about 27c

 

[JohnRossDele]

remember to feed it lol
and what temp is the tank? it need to be about 27c

ok so, feed the fish, 27*C, no rough plants & they'll have a good bond once settled

Thanks

 

[GuppyGoddess]

Bettas do form an amazing bond. The one I have swims right up to me. I sit by him and watch him while he swims around, posing, and watching me back. Within less then a week, I got him to eat a pellet from my finger!

He also built a bubble nest. Maybe he's thinking him and I are a couple! lol

(I've only had him for two weeks and now he has a white spot on his head I'm going to treat him with ich meds. just to be safe.)

 

[lilacamy931]

Just to note, every betta is different and some when you first get them will not eat for several days (dont worry they can at extremes go up to a week without food) so just try on daily basis to feed them, if unwanted scoop food out so it does not foul the water. You may be lucky and get one that starts eating straight away! When you first introduce the fish, keep the lights off for a couple of hours and leave him a lone to get used to his new surroundings for a bit.

Live plants really are beneficial, can be cheaper than silk (from what I have found) and as long as deep enough substrate excellent, the types I have plant and leave alone! Limnophila and Camboma are great examples. Silk plants good substitute if not.

With feeding the main staple should be betta pellets such as Bio Gold specially designed for them, with bloddworm or brine shrimp as occasional treats (if you feed bloodworm as main staple it has been known to cause swim bladder issues amongst other things), it is also to get into a good habit to feed a cooked deshelled pea once a week and then have a rest day of all food afterwards as this helps their digestive tract.

Each one has a personality that you can help develop by playing as above and they really are great fish! Good luck with yours x

 

[JohnRossDele]

Just to note, every betta is different and some when you first get them will not eat for several days (dont worry they can at extremes go up to a week without food) so just try on daily basis to feed them, if unwanted scoop food out so it does not foul the water. You may be lucky and get one that starts eating straight away! When you first introduce the fish, keep the lights off for a couple of hours and leave him a lone to get used to his new surroundings for a bit.

Live plants really are beneficial, can be cheaper than silk (from what I have found) and as long as deep enough substrate excellent, the types I have plant and leave alone! Limnophila and Camboma are great examples. Silk plants good substitute if not.

With feeding the main staple should be betta pellets such as Bio Gold specially designed for them, with bloddworm or brine shrimp as occasional treats (if you feed bloodworm as main staple it has been known to cause swim bladder issues amongst other things), it is also to get into a good habit to feed a cooked deshelled pea once a week and then have a rest day of all food afterwards as this helps their digestive tract.

Each one has a personality that you can help develop by playing as above and they really are great fish! Good luck with yours x

thanks!! great advice

 

[llamalord305]

I agree. Hikari Bio-Gold is the best brand out there, IMO. All my bettas god it.