3 Questions

[FishyFriend1]

Okay so i just have 3 silly questions.

1) is it okay to leave a mirror infront of my betta's tank for 6 hours? Sometimes i forget to take it down... oops

2) water changes once a week in a 5 gal?

3) give him a slice of raw meat?

[Sweeda88]

1) No, it will stress him out.
2) Is it filtered? If not, you need to do it every 2-3 days. If it is, that might be ok.
3) Not sure.

[FishyFriend1]

1) I only thought he would get tired
2)Not filtered but i always do a 75%
3)i know some people give it to their pets but you don't know what is put into our food that could hurt a fish.

[shinybetta]

1. Depends on the how the fish reacts
2. Yes, but only for a couple weeks.
3.Definately not.

[FishyFriend1]

okay well whadda bout leaving other items against the tank like a magazine? see he has a tail biting issue and is i watch him react to the magazine then leave him is that okay

[dragonfair]

A lot of bettas like things outside their tanks as long as they don't feel threatened. Something reflective like a mirror, which he sees himself in, will make him think he needs to defend his territory and he'll get stressed out (which will make tail-biting worse). Someone on here puts pictures of art by the tank because his/her betta seems to like looking at them. My little guys have become fascinated by the Christmas tree lights. (Don't know if I can top that after the holidays!) You can always put stuff outside the tank and watch so he can't see you to see how he will react. Sometimes they will react and then they're fine, sometimes they hate it and will get stressed out. Eventually you'll hit on something he is mesmerized by.

[scootshoot]

Originally Posted by FishyFriend1

1) I only thought he would get tired
2)Not filtered but i always do a 75%
3)i know some people give it to their pets but you don't know what is put into our food that could hurt a fish.

As per point #1. Did you notice anytime a betta starts getting excited at his image he takes increased trips to the surface for air? You basically have his little heart pumping harder as he feels threatened and stressed out by a perceived intruder. Would you like to be going through the same conditions as him 6 hours a day?

[Min]

I put a floating mirrior in my kings tank the other night & forgot it . I woke up the next day & there it was. He seemed fine but i wouldnt recommend it. I felt like crap when I saw it though. I guess it all depends on the fish.

[FishyFriend1]

aww. once i put a bright yellow magazine up against his tank and i think he had a heart attack..... oopps. I feel like a crappy owner, oh well i will make it up to him by giving him bloodworms......

[TaylorW]

Hehe, I just sat a Dr.Pepper bottle by my tank, and my fish is loving it! XD

I always move the objects outside the tank everyday, and sometimes it's hilarious to watch him investigate the new item!

As for the brightly colored stuff, your fish will get used to it, I use neon green poster board outside my tank, and he pays no attention to it. Never paid much attention to it when I put it up :P