Brand New to The Betta World!

[tncanchaser]

Hello Everyone!

What a great site! I am a brand new betta owner and have been learning a lot! I would like to upload a pic of my little fella and would love any suggestions and advice!! I'm not even really sure what kind of betta he is, but he is doing very well and swimming a ton! I've read a lot about tail biters...and i think he might be one. What do yall think? Also, please let me know what I can do to get him looking his best!

Thanks for the help!

[1fish2fish]

Welcome to the forum!

You have a very pretty Red Double tail VT betta. He does look like he may have a little bit of fin damage so your going to want to treat him with a little aquarium salt to help him heal.

My more pressing concern is his housing. It looks like you have a "Lee's Betta Keeper" right? I use one of these as my picture tank and I recognized the plant. This tank is far too small for him. He needs a 2 gallon tank or larger, with a heater set to 76-80*F. Until you can upgrade him your going to need to do daily water changes on that tank so the ammonia levels don't harm him.

Check out the betta care sheet and FAQ at the top of this section for betta care tips

[tncanchaser]

Thanks so much for the info! Yes, after all this reading I'm headed back for a 5 gallon tank and silk plants tomorrow! Should I do a complete water change at lunch tomorrow? (I won't be able to set the 5 gallon tank up until after work)

thanks again for the help!

[tncanchaser]

And what does the VT stand for?

[1fish2fish]

I would do a water change tomorrow, just to be on the safe side :)

VT stands for Veil tail.

[Nutt007]

Originally Posted by tncanchaser

And what does the VT stand for?

EDIT: Ninja'd >.<

VT stands for Veil Tail. You should read the Betta care page at: http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=20058 It will tell you lots!

[tncanchaser]

What about his body color? It looks a little duller than his fins.

Also, can you reccommend a good food brand?

[1fish2fish]

How long have you had him? Generally after a week or two they will brighten up. Being in the store is very stressful and most of the time the fish are paler than their actual colors.

Its best to feed a variety of foods but most people have a staple pellet they feed and then they feed other things like frozen blood worms occasionally.

Great brands of pellets are New Life Spectrum, Omega One Betta Buffet (but you have to crush the pellets), and Attinson's Betta or Betta Pro.

Good brands are Wardley's, Hikari, and Topfin

Ok brands are Aqua Culture and Aqueon.

The best thing to look for is fish or shrimp meal as the first ingredient. The more ingredients that are meat based the better the pellet is.

[tncanchaser]

Agian, Thanks for the advice!

I have only had him for a little over 24 hours. I just offered him his first meal of Wardley's and he actually ate it!! I've never had a fish seem so comfortable so quickly!

[1fish2fish]

Once you get him into a heated tank you'll be amazed by how lively and colorful he gets.

I had a fish whom I kept in a 1 gallon unheated bowl for 3 years (before I knew better) and when I got him into a divided 10 gallon I was amazed at the difference. That old guy was more active and colorful than I had ever seen him.