I bought a betta from walmart early this morning and have moved him into his bowl. It's a 1 gallon bowl. (I think. It might even be a 1.5, but it is definitely at least a 1 gallon.)
I have, in the past, cared for betta fish. When I was a teenager, I kept one fish alive for two years in this same bowl, and I knew absolutely nothing about bettas when I bought him. (He was a strange impulse buy). He would make bubble nests and seemed very happy until he died of dropsy, due to my lack of knowledge.
So, with this guy I want to do a bit better. I did buy him from walmart, as said, so I am concerned he might not be healthy.
I transitioned him into his bowl over the course of about 12 hours. The water is dirty now thanks to all the crap that was in his cup, but I didn't want to risk shocking him by not dumping the entire cup in. He seems happy, I guess. He keeps hiding from me, and ignores his reflection in the mirror.
I have several questions to begin. First, when should I do the first water change? Should I do a complete water change, or only 50%? I plan on doing the twice a week suggested in the care guide on here, but I need to know when to do the first.
Second, he has no color in his face. I have medicine and stuff coming in the mail, just to have on hand. Should I give him a little just in case he has something? Those fish in the store were all pretty horrid looking. I got the smallest and most active fish I could. Is his face just normal, or does it mean he is sick? My fish that died of dropsy turned white before he died, so that's the only reason it makes me nervous.
My plan is to eventually transition him to a 10 or 20 gallon tank. I need to cycle it first, (after I buy it next week...) and introduce tank mates before him, so it will be a couple months before that happens. I'll have more questions soon about which fish I should choose. (I'm overly excited, kinda obsessed with this)
Thanks for your help!
I attached a pic of him. It's hard to see his coloring, but from just above him mouth to down his beard is white.
I have, in the past, cared for betta fish. When I was a teenager, I kept one fish alive for two years in this same bowl, and I knew absolutely nothing about bettas when I bought him. (He was a strange impulse buy). He would make bubble nests and seemed very happy until he died of dropsy, due to my lack of knowledge.
So, with this guy I want to do a bit better. I did buy him from walmart, as said, so I am concerned he might not be healthy.
I transitioned him into his bowl over the course of about 12 hours. The water is dirty now thanks to all the crap that was in his cup, but I didn't want to risk shocking him by not dumping the entire cup in. He seems happy, I guess. He keeps hiding from me, and ignores his reflection in the mirror.
I have several questions to begin. First, when should I do the first water change? Should I do a complete water change, or only 50%? I plan on doing the twice a week suggested in the care guide on here, but I need to know when to do the first.
Second, he has no color in his face. I have medicine and stuff coming in the mail, just to have on hand. Should I give him a little just in case he has something? Those fish in the store were all pretty horrid looking. I got the smallest and most active fish I could. Is his face just normal, or does it mean he is sick? My fish that died of dropsy turned white before he died, so that's the only reason it makes me nervous.
My plan is to eventually transition him to a 10 or 20 gallon tank. I need to cycle it first, (after I buy it next week...) and introduce tank mates before him, so it will be a couple months before that happens. I'll have more questions soon about which fish I should choose. (I'm overly excited, kinda obsessed with this)
Thanks for your help!
I attached a pic of him. It's hard to see his coloring, but from just above him mouth to down his beard is white.