Steeley Dan - My first betta in a long, long time

[tophat665]

So I've had this 5.5 gallon tank, planted with Rotala, Ludwegia, hairgrass, javamoss, and Crypt retrospiralis cycling with a couple of male guppies for over a month now. I had put a bug in the guy's ear down at my LFS that I'd spring for $20 for a nice halfmoon betta (having no idea what the going price was - fortunately neither did he) So in any case, he called me up last week to let me know that he got one, and that he was going to try and sell it for $30, but he'd sell it to me for $20 if I'd waive the guarantee. So I brought the Peanut (my four year old. This is "her" tank) down, and she really liked him. I suggested we name him Dan, and she agreed.

I'f I have my terminology right, he's a Steel Blue Yellow Butterfly (maybe dragon) Halfmoon. By any name, he's one pretty fish.

Pardon the cruddy photography - the wife refuses to understand that, with cameras, you get what you pay for.

[Andyandsue]

Beautiful!!!! I love the half moon Betta. I settled for a crown tail, but I wish I had the half moon.

Are you worried about the male guppies though, especially in a smaller tank? I understand they don't get along with Bettas at all, or I should say that Bettas don't get along with them...

[tophat665]

Thanks!

Guppies are gone. Back to the guppy tank. I keep them for cycling tanks and turtle food.

[Andyandsue]

Oh no! Turtle food! :o

I hope they aren't beautiful fancy tail ones.

Obviously the betta isn't an issue then. He is really gorgeous. I'm jealous!

[Weasel F.]

Nice steelbutterfly, He has a nice even line.

[Falina]

beautiful fish there! i have a betta, just a more common veil tail but i still love him. they might be a hassle to keep, in terms of tankmates, but theyre worth it

[Weasel F.]

bettas do great with corys, small plecos and I have had great luck with dinoas.

[tophat665]

THinking about putting two or three ottos in there with him. I have a bail out solution for them if they don't work. (OTOH, Peanut wants him to be the only fish in the tank. I have to explain to her that the ottos would be like the janitors at school - keeping the floos and windows clean.)

[Falina]

its cories i have mine with (aptly named hannibal lecter) and they do great. i also had a plec in there for a few days and he never bothered but then i put a black molly in and he went nuts and attacked her. i had to put him in a breeding unit for the rest of the day until i could move my molly into the other tank. theyre so unpredictable.

[tophat665]

Thanks, folks. I really like him. I like him enough that the tank I have had cycling to get some dwarf puffers (10 gallon) might become a betta tank instead (It's a power filter, so probably female bettas.)

He comes to the front of the tank and begs food when I open the lid, and I feed him one pellet at a time.