to start right

[meve]

Hi,

I just got a fish for my classroom. I went to what I think was a specialist store for fish and ask them a easy fish to care for... cliché right? I got a male and an hexagon tank with no filter, no heater and it's about 1 g maybe less. At school, we have another tank available: 10 g . It was for a goldfish. SHould I move the betta in that tank?

I fell in love with this fish, so I got an other one for myself. Then, I bought that tank
http://www.amazon.com/Tetra-29008-Wa.../dp/B004B2ZMLK

it's a 1,8 gallon and I got a female fish. I found the waterfall a little bit to strong, it keeps pushing the fish down. I will try to do the baffle you showed in a post.
My question is: should I get rid of this tank and get a square one? or bowl is ok?

I try to do everything right, but it's hard to get the right infos in pet stores...it looks like if youre not in salt water buisness, youre nothing...espacially if you ask info for a BETTA!

[agent89201]

I know! Today I went to petsmart and this lady had a bag of dead fish that she wanted a refund for. The whole time, she was making these comments to the guy who gave her false information. I tried to be nice and ask her what kind of fish she got, but she was apparently too pissed to talk to an 18 year old. :/

If this is for your classroom, I would use a bigger tank. I suggest using the 10 gallon with a filter. That way, you don't have to do 100% water changes like with a one gallon tank. The bigger the tank, the easier the care. You could also make it a community tank!

[Bombalurina]

Here's a quick what's what as far as bettas go:

- You need a heater. They are tropical fish and need to be kept in water between 78 and 82F. Remember that the temperature of the water is at least 2 degrees below room temperature, so unless you live somewhere where it is always at least 80F, a heater is necessary. They are also good for stability.

- A one gallon tank can be an ok home, but you need to keep up with the water changes. At least 1 50% change and 1 100% change per week. 1 gallon is the absolute minimum size, though, and bigger is easier to care for.

- Bettas are intelligent and will appreciate things to play with. A place to hide will also help alleviate stress.


I would definitely get rid of the one gallon hex tank and put the male in a the classroom ten gallon with a heater and a filter. Read up on the Nitrogen Cycle to understand what the tank will go through the first few weeks after set-up.
I would also ditch the Tetra bowl thing. The filter is too strong, it's hard to heat and it is just an awkward tank all round. A nice 2.5-5 gallon kit with a heater and a gentle filter, with room to put in plants and a cave, would be much nicer for your little girl. :) Females bettas are pretty active and she'll love the extra space to explore.

[meve]

COuld I put a divider in the 10 G and put in one side the boy and in the other side the girl?

Of course I will had a filter, a heater and decorations.

[Bombalurina]

That would definitely work. :) A good option is to have two dividers and using the middle compartment to house the filter and the heater. It doesn't have to a big space and it provides that extra little bit between the two fish, so they don't have to get stressed looking at each other.

Fantastic idea. :)