Is my half moon sick?

[jesssan2442]

if you have to save up for a little bit to buy a new tank you could even put him a one gallon vase or bowl until you can save up... any bigger will benefit him.. i have my betta in a temporary one gallon bowl and he is doing fine

[Kbaumgartner]

Thank you Jess! I hope that's your name. I will definitely take your advice and look at larger tanks.

[MattsBettas]

Yes. Bigger is better when it comes to tanks for many reasons. That being said, they can live in a 1/2 gallon tank but you need to keep up water changes and know that he will be happier in a larger tank.

[Kbaumgartner]

Thanks Matt! Will do!

[Bombalurina]

If you are strapped for cash, dollar shops usually have nice pretty nice bowls for candles or flowers that are frequently cheaper and larger than those found in petshops. With your heater added and some decorations for the betta to play in, these can make a great home. :)

[Kbaumgartner]

That is a great idea Bomburlina! We have quite a few dollar stores here!:)

[Kbaumgartner]

So sorry I misspelled Bombalurina!

[Bombalurina]

Don't worry, most people just say Bomb or Bomba anyway. :p Well, not say, because it isn't my real name, but anyway. You know what I mean.

As long as the bowl is larger than a gallon, preferably two, things will be sweet. :) The only trouble is that heaters are usually attached by suction cups, which can be tricky in a spherical bowl, and viewing is not always the best. However, they can look really nice and are a great temporary measure. :)

[Kbaumgartner]

I plan on looking at a larger tank tomorrow and will probably have to get a new heater. Should I get real plants then too? If so what is Betta friendly? I know some plants are toxic to certain fish.

[Bombalurina]

As long as it is fully aquatic, it won't be toxic. Stay away from mondo grass, scarlet temple, purple waffle, violet, lucky bamboo, and another one I can't remember with golden in the name. Don't rely on petshop advice, as they frequently sell semi-aquatics as fully aquatic.

Some good plants for low-light, low-tech tanks:
- duckweed (floating plant, provides cover which bettas enjoy, multiples quickly)
- anubias (can be left floating or tied to something, broad flat leaves that bettas like to rest on)
- java fern (leave floating or tie to something, propogates by growing baby plants off its leaves)
- vallisneria (tall and grass like, bury the roots)
- hornwort (bury roots or leave floating, grows fast)
- ambulia (bury roots, grows fast)
- anacharis (bury roots, grows fast)
- bacopa (bury roots)
- wisteria (bury roots or leave floating)
- cabomba (looks like ambulia, treat the same, illegal in some places)
- java moss (tie to things or just spread over substrate to form a low-maintenance carpet)
- marimo moss balls (wierd, funny additions to a tank, just plop them in and leave them be)

Hope this helps. :) All of these will grow just fine with normal substrate (sand or gravel) and help with ammonia