Some More Questions

[rainbowpuddle]

So my aquired betta still looks sad but I have seen him moving a little more.
When he swims to the top his tail lump seems to drag him back down
I will remove more than a 1/3 of the water today and replace with the water that has sat out. The water treatments should be here soon.
Are their tropical fish vets?
Im off the the vet with the lumpy rat this afternoon, I could take the camera with the pics on it..?
Also I can try somenew pics to put on here.

How much time and money do fish need?
Why keep fish?

What are there needs for living?

k Ive also just ordered..
melafix 120ml
pimafix 120ml
medium betta siphon
King British mini pellets 45gmx1

 

[merry78]

Heya, good to hear he's still kicking!
Yes there are tropical fish vets, but in Aus they are quite rare (i only know of one), not sure what it's like where you are. Certainly if you are taking the rat to the vet you may as well take the camera with the pix of your fish.
One betta won't take much time, you will spend far more time watching and enjoying him than you do cleaning/feeding etc. Again, one betta won't cost much, you have already spent nearly all the money you will need to spend for a long time. The part that gets expensive is the addiction to fish that drives you (me) to get more tanks, more fish, more plants etc.
People keep fish for the feeling of accomplishment and serenity that comes with watching healthy happy fish in a nicely scaped tank. Fish show you their personalities and you will end up with a strong relationship/feeling of identification with them, just like any other pet.
Their needs for living are similar to other pets or people, they need:
A healthy environment (water quality)
A healthy diet (variety appropriate to evolutionary needs)
An enjoyable life (stimulation through feeding behaviour, owner interaction, suitable periods of peace/quiet/darkness, interesting surroundings (note this does not equate to tankmates with a male betta, more along the lines of adequate space, live plants etc).
Freedom from fear and pain (ie careful selection of tank inhabitants, adequate private/hiding places, good health, considerate behaviour on owner's part).

I can absolutely understand that you may be having difficulty enjoying your current fishkeeping experience, but if you (or if i) were to choose a fish to get you enthused about fishkeeping, a betta is about the best choice you could make, especially if it is not appropriate for you to make large financial/space /time commitments.
Truly, once you get that little guy healthy and happy, you will feel great every time you look at him, and you can really start to enjoy having him in your life.
I hope all goes well for you with him, please keep us posted, and if you start to lose heart, just let us know, because most of us have been there, and we all really care!

 

[rainbowpuddle]

Aww thanks merry78 :hugs:
Im looking forward to getting the bigger tank so I can give him a propper home, also diagnosing the lump so it can be treated or not, I allready have a shoping list for when he is better. I would like a snail and some tank mates. I think if/when he dies I will get another, maybe a lady betta or two. Hmm I hope its a big tank
if found this cute website http/www.bettatalk.com/basic_care.htm
and so got some more bits
Hagen test Kit PH wide a7815
interpet plastic plant med d moneywort
interpet plastic plant small j red ludwigia
backing paper 24 inch x 1 ruins plant 064
Just not checking my bank balance

 

[merry78]

Just not checking my bank balance

Hee hee, know the feeling! just watch the sharp edges that some plastic plants have, they can tear long fins like bettas'. Don't think your boy will be active enough for a while for this to be an issue though.

 

[rainbowpuddle]

Oh right, can I sand the sharp bits down?

 

[merry78]

sure, dont see why not, just rinse them carefully after sanding to ensure no dusty bits get into the water. He may enjoy sitting/leaning on them so he doesn't have to swim up so far to breathe/eat, plus a bit of scenery in his bowl may help take his mind off his sore tail (as long as it doesn't freak him out!)

 

[dixiedawn]

..personally i wouldn't get backing paper for the tank....depending on where the light shows into the tank, it can reflect off the backing paper and make him think there's another male betta...constant aggistation for him might not be such a good thing....not sure if i worded this right, but hope you get the drift

 

[rainbowpuddle]

Right yeah, create a mirror
I'll just put it on the wall behind the tank