Newbie!(A Couple Questions)

[JBetta]

Hello! Wanted to say hi and introduce myself. My name is Jaryn and I am a Betta lover. I have previously had Bettas but was pretty unaware of how to care for them because I couldn't find a any helpful sights and I was young. So now I am starting again now with enough money to care for a Betta. For my first time I bought a Betta from a breeder that goes by hopdiggity I would definitely recommend her! She is very nice and answered all the questions I had. I found her fish on aquabid.com and I fell in love with him. He is a Turquoise Butterfly Delta and I decided to name him Buddy(I am not too good with names haha). He looked to be in very good shape and he had beautiful coloring. Also, the fish are very cheap if you live in the U.S.A. So about a week after I got my tank set up I ordered the fish for only $42 (including food that was $2). It was next day shipping so he arrived just yesterday. Great packaging by the way! It took me all day to get him acclimated and he seemed pretty stressed so I took it really slow. Finally I got him into of his tank and he keeps trying to get out!But anyways he is very active and swims around a lot. Also if you want to see the breeder I bought the little guys from her website is luvmybetta.com but it shows up as http/my.att.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=16&groupid=328295&ck= and her email is here Jennifer Viveiros. I posted some pictures so any advise or concerns are greatly appreciated. The only thing with him is that his stomach look a little swollen to me but that do you guys think? And is the tank to crowded? Also sorry about the blurry pictures but the darn camera wouldn't focus. Thanks for the help!
-Jaryn

 

[fluffycabbage]

the tank isnt too crowded. how big is it? would you consider using real plants in there? they like lots of interest, so maybe add a hiding spot, and somewhere comfortable for him to rest (not sharp gravel!)
Stunning betta though, great choice

 

[nckiely]

Wow stunning looking fish I've not heard of or seen a butterfly delta? What are they like is it a split tail or something? Sweet looking tank!

 

[bassbonediva]

Wow stunning looking fish I've not heard of or seen a butterfly delta? What are they like is it a split tail or something? Sweet looking tank!

Delta refers to the shape of the tail (shaped more like a triangle). Butterfly refers to the white border around the fins.

@ JBetta...stunning boy! Your tank doesn't look too crowded at all. Bettas like a lot of plants (especially live plants ).

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I have a soft spot for butterflys, but he is lovely.

 

[GuppyGoddess]

I have a soft spot for butterflys, but he is lovely.

Pretty fish. Why isn't the tank more full with water? Seems like there is quite the gap there. A bit more water will help reduce ammonia levels.

 

[rlhirth]

Very nice betta! Love the coloring

 

[nckiely]

Wow stunning looking fish I've not heard of or seen a butterfly delta? What are they like is it a split tail or something? Sweet looking tank!

Delta refers to the shape of the tail (shaped more like a triangle). Butterfly refers to the white border around the fins.

Excellent I'd love to find one of these some day they are amazing! Thank you for explanation!

 

[JBetta]

Thanks everyone! He is quite a feisty Betta. The rocks look a lot sharper then they actually are in the picture and I have no clue why the gap is so big I think some of the water evaporated. I guess my answer is it wasn't on purpose haha. I already love him to death! Today he ate from my hand a nibbled on my fingers, which was really cool since all the bettas I have had would get as far away from my fingers as possible! He would swim up and just nab the food from my fingers! Buddy is very happy and healthy and he seems to be content. I am looking into getting live plants too. I am just worried about algae since the plants need light. Once I think I have had enough experience I am looking into breeding. I think it would be a good experience for me. but anyways he is very tough and when I grab the uneaten food(which by the way he is VERY picky! Yesterday he looked at the food then back at me like do you expect me to eat that?haha) with the net he comes up to the net and investigates it which they say they usually swim away. I am soo glad to have him! I think it took me 2 weeks to finally decide on a fish .

 

[bassbonediva]

As long as you don't have too much light or too many fertilizers, you won't have algae with live plants. If you got some low-light plants like java fern, java moss, anubias (a. nana is one of the more popular and readily available varieties), cabomba caroliniana, frill/foxtail, and anacharis, they would be content with just whatever fertilizers your betta provides (i.e.-his poop). Plants also help improve water quality and reduce the frequency of water changes. ALL of my tanks, except my coldwater tank, are live planted and I only do water changes once every week and a half to two weeks.

 

[nckiely]

My betta loves investigating any fingers that go in his tank! He happily eats from your fingers and nips them if theres no food! Do betta's like to eat cucumber? He is very keen on pea but not tried cucumber yet.

 

[JBetta]

As long as you don't have too much light or too many fertilizers, you won't have algae with live plants. If you got some low-light plants like java fern, java moss, anubias (a. nana is one of the more popular and readily available varieties), cabomba caroliniana, frill/foxtail, and anacharis, they would be content with just whatever fertilizers your betta provides (i.e.-his poop). Plants also help improve water quality and reduce the frequency of water changes. ALL of my tanks, except my coldwater tank, are live planted and I only do water changes once every week and a half to two weeks.

Sounds good! I will definitely looks into it. @nckiely I have heard that you shouldn't feed Bettas any veggies since they are carnivorous, but from some other people I have heard that they just feed it to them as a treat because their Bettas like them. Just a comment.

 

[bassbonediva]

My girls try to eat my bristlenose pleco's zucchini, but they take one bite and are like "Ewww!" lol They will, however, eat peas (acts as a stimulant if they are constipated). I think it depends on your individual betta.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

My girls try to eat my bristlenose pleco's zucchini, but they take one bite and are like "Ewww!" lol They will, however, eat peas (acts as a stimulant if they are constipated). I think it depends on your individual betta.

My girls devour the courgette and algae wafers I put in for the snails - seriously to the point where I am thinking of moving the snail since they eat all of his food.