Want To Keep A Betta

[aleswitch]

Hi everyone.

I've kept a comunity tropical tank for over 2 years now, but unfortunately there isn't room in my new home for a large tank. I've always loved Bettas so thought keeping one would be an ideal way of still having a fish but not taking up the room a community tank does.

So i have the basics of tropical fish keeping pretty well sussed, but have a few betta specific questions.

1) i know that you don't keep betta's together in a tank unless its divided, however i was wondering, if i have a single male on his own in a single tank, will he get lonely? or is it ok just to keep a single betta?

2) finding tanks suitable for bettas isn't a problem (don't worry i'll be getting a 2 gal tank - minimum, not one of these glass bowls that they say are fine for bettas but are smaller than a dinking glass!!) but i seem to be struggling with the fittings for a small tank eg: lighting, heating and filtration. some tried and tested makes, models and suppliers in the UK would be very helpful.

3) is there a specific type/ breed of betta that is best for a beginner to go for? i'd love a crown tail, but from what i've read they seem to be quite feisty compared to the other types of betta. (or is this just me being daft?)

4) flaring - is it necessary to get your betta to flare? or will it live quite happily and healthily without having to do this? Also if i do need to make him flare, how do i go about this?

ok i think that's it for now!! sorry for the long first post!!

thanks in advance for any help you can give

Ales xx

 

[Karou-sama]

1) No, he won't get lonely, or at least not all bettas need company. Mine seems to quite enjoy being alone. If you are getting a male and are going to have a small tank 10 gallons or smaller, I strongly recommend just one male ... though you could go with around 6 females in a 10 gallon, any smaller and I think aggression and territory issues will arise, and it is best to treat them like males, and use a divider. Mine swims around and flares at his reflection, or me.

2) Check around. There are neat little pre-fab setups with a bio-wheel filter and lighting built-in. I think they start somewhere in the 3-5 gallon size. The filter is in the lid, so you don't have to see it, and I believe the current is quite soft, so you don't have to worry on that. Check something as simple as PetSmart.com to get a general idea of what you are looking for and name brands, then see if you can find those in UK Here is an example, though it may be a bit pricey: Eclipse Corner 5 Gallon Kit ... there are some cheaper than that, and that one doesn't come with a heater, though 25W heaters are about $8 (bi-orb or some brand, marineland is about $5 more ... as of know, it is about 1 quid = $2) from there as well. I know it is free shipping in U.S. for orders $60+, maybe worldwide, I am not certain, but I get my food for my oscar for less than half price (20 retail, 8 online).

3) I think any would be fine. I am partial to doubletails myself. As long as you keep the water in the correct parameters, and I would say 1 male, you will have an easy time. Remember, the more gallons per fish makes it easier for you, and dividers can be a pain to keep clean.

4)you don't have to make him flare, he (and even the girls) will flare when he(she) wants to. Some people put up mirrors for short times for their males, but I believe the reflection will be enough, as it is with my betta, and even my oscar tries to intimidate its reflection that happens naturally from the glass. Same as bubblenests ... some do it, some may not, some may do it excessively. Mine blew nests for a while, but hasn't for a while either, actually, since the move to a bigger tank, still flares like crazy at me or reflection.



It is better to ask before you buy than after. Remember, 0 nitrite, 0 ammonia, <20 nitrate, 80F +- 2F (25-28C), and a quality pellet/diet (don't overfeed)

 

[LauraFrog]

Some of your questions very much depend on the individual temperament of the betta. Most bettas prefer to live alone. All bettas get bored in bare glass jars. There's nothing to do and nowhere new to go. I use live plants, substrate and natural decorations in all my betta tanks, but fake plants or kooky environments are quite okay as well. Just don't leave the tank bare. Bored bettas sometimes get depressed. I see it all the time at pet shops - bettas kept in tiny bare cups with some marbles on the bottom if they're lucky get bored and miserable, refuse to eat and stay in one spot all the time. Lots of people rescue them - sometimes the switch to an enriched environment helps them, sometimes they are too far gone and simply fade away.

Crowntails in my experience are no feistier than any other strain. This myth might be from the fact that most petshops only stock veiltails. Bettas that are kept in poor conditions or that are bored often hang in one spot for hours at a time or act generally lethargic, so veiltails have a reputation for being boring or lazy because they are usually found in pet shops that keep bettas in poor conditions. Since bored, lethargic veiltails are all that most people see, they don't expect them to behave any differently when they take them home. Because crowntails can be expensive or hard to get, they are more often kept by experienced betta keepers who know how to care for their fish and they are therefore happier and livelier. This isn't always the case. I'm lucky enough to have an LFS that likes crowntails. About half their bettas are VT, half CT. My first betta was a crowntail and the difference in prices between VT and CT at my LFS is barely a dollar.

One of my crowntails - Spider, my first - is a very lively, active fish. He flares at the glass all the time, swims very fast and non-stop and is always sucking up to me for more food. The other, Moonshine, has been badly mistreated. He was a rescue from a bad pet shop, and he is still not quite happy - he hides a lot and panicks at any sudden movement. My veiltail, Valhalla, is a laid-back but active fish, perfectly happy to share his tank with platies. So it depends a lot more on the temperament of the individual fish than on the strain.

If you keep your betta in a large tank (closer to ten than five gallons) you could possibly include a school of small fish such as harlequin rasboras or neons. Lots of people use algae eaters or otocinclus catfish to keep their betta tanks clean - I've never tried this but as far as I know the bettas are fine with them. Some bettas ignore or even swim with other fish in their tanks, while the presence of other fish will cause some to take to a corner and defend it, flaring at the other fish and sometimes attacking them. Again, this is up to the individual fish.

I'd probably be inclined to get one betta in the largest tank you can, and if he seems bored try him with some small fish in the tank.

 

[devon_charm]

well i don't need to add any thing as both are pretty spot on but i do have to say a big no no to the neons, they will shred the fish, they are fin nippers and the bettas beautiful tail is too tempting. Your better will be fine alone, they are olitary fish by nature.

Good luck hun and let us know how you get on

 

[Honeythorn]

Concerning tank size-

You will find it easier to get fittings for a larger tank than a 2 gallon. 5 gallons is better , and will easily fit on a desk or table ( plus you Betta would defintely appreciate more space ).

 

[aleswitch]

thanks for all your help guys

i'll certainly let you know how i get on, but i'll not be able to get anything together for a few weeks yet. i'm not at home at the moment, have been staying with my mom for the last 6 weeks or so to look after her after she had a heart attack. she's doin really well now though, so hoping to get back to my hubby and step daughter soon. But its given me plenty of time to do my homework about bettas.

I wish i had the space to house my 20 gal community tank at my hubby's place, but we're bursting at the seams already! hence me wanting to swap to a betta tank, as it won't take up as much room, but i can still have a beautiful fishie.

 

[Bubblenester]

In my experience, crowntails and plakats tend to be feistier than most veiltails and halfmoons, and just a little hardier... however, bettas are one of the hardiest fish out there, so just choose whatever catches your eye and you should be just fine, especially in a larger (2-5 gallon) tank.

Male bettas seem to get bored in a plain tank with no view of other fish, but if you decorate his tank he will actively explore it. If you can find live java ferns, they're nearly impossible to kill even without good lighting or CO2 and bettas love live plants. Any other decorations would be great though! You can also exercise and entertain him by holding a mirror up to his tank for a little while every day, and that will also give you a chance to enjoy him in full flare.

 

[newfishy]

Concerning tank size-

You will find it easier to get fittings for a larger tank than a 2 gallon. 5 gallons is better , and will easily fit on a desk or table ( plus you Betta would defintely appreciate more space ).

I agree, its a pain finding things that work and fit for the smaller tanks, plus it leaves you with changing water every day.

 

[aleswitch]

well i was hoping to get one of these

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...A:IT&ih=014

a large works out at 3 gal (uk) which with the space i have will be about the biggest i can use at the moment! if i had the space for something bigger i'd love to have it, but i just don't have that luxury at the moment.

has anyone used these mini filters?

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...A:IT&ih=006

if so how were they? if not what do you use instead?

finding a 25w heater isn't a problem, but i'm having real trouble finding lighting that will fit into the tank lid rather than have one of the seperate ones that just stand over the top of an open tank. From what i've read open tanks = NOT A GOOD IDEA for bettas being jumpers!

so what do you guys use for lighting in your small tanks?

thanks again for all your advice and comments