What's Your Advice For A Betta Beginner?

[Volleyball_Rox]

What's your advice for a first time betta owner (Me) Who owns a Petco bought blue male crowntail betta, who enjoys hiding and making bubble nests?
I just need some good info for keeping him happy and healthy.
Also, is it true bettas can only see a foot away? I don't think it is.
What's your betta's name? Mine's name is Cupid. Because I got him as a present on Valentines day.
But I also call him, as a nickname, Swimmie Jimmie, or Taz (for the way he spaztastically swims sometimes when he's happy, like the tazmanian devil.)

 

[Night61]

well the basic of any fish care is clean water and food. to make you Betta happy, you need at least a tank that's 2.5 gallons.
a heater is always nice, a silk plants or real are good.
oh for your own sake and sanity, set up a bit of a fishy first aid kit just in case, melafix is good to have on hand, epsom salt. having a fist aid kit for my betta helped out alot.

 

[woodstock]

I know I've said this a lot. But (if possible) soak his food in garlic juice. It's great for their immune system, and I know from firsthand experiences that in case of fin rot or fin damage, garlic juice exponentially heals it much faster. And note: it's best NOT to medicate with not necessary. If you really do need it, and that's your judgment, then use it.

Oh, and they can DEFINITELY see more than a foot away. From the tank to the couch is an easy 7 feet. Easy. They were kinda bored swimming around. The moment I get up, they run against the tanks. Where did you get this?

 

[Volleyball_Rox]

I know I've said this a lot. But (if possible) soak his food in garlic juice. It's great for their immune system, and I know from firsthand experiences that in case of fin rot or fin damage, garlic juice exponentially heals it much faster. And note: it's best NOT to medicate with not necessary. If you really do need it, and that's your judgment, then use it.

Oh, and they can DEFINITELY see more than a foot away. From the tank to the couch is an easy 7 feet. Easy. They were kinda bored swimming around. The moment I get up, they run against the tanks. Where did you get this?

I read it in one of my betta books, and it said a betta can only see a foot away. And I didn't believe it, because when I'm about 6 feet away in my closet he sits and stares and when I move, he moves and follows me, sometimes.

 

[Honeythorn]

5 gal tank, bigger if you have space for it , heater and filter ( sponge filters are safe and cheap ) and a LOT of plants ( silk is easiest for beginners ) .

That's an easy and cheap ( get the tank second hand ) basic tank setup that will fit in a lot of places and is ridiculously easy to set up and care for. The only extra main equipment needed are a bucket, a tank syphon/gravel vac for removing both water and removing bits of uneaten food/waste ( all at the same time! ) and a jug for gently pouring water back in. Plus your Dechlorinator.

Very easy and simple to do.

 

[woodstock]

Yes exactly, that's why that's simply not true. Not a huge deal, but... how would they know? Lol