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89K views 1K replies 27 participants last post by  Tealight03 
#1 ·
Welcome to my journal! I have had many bettas over the years. Of course I didn't know what I was doing when I was younger and the fish were probably suffering from cold and not enough cleaning. Fast forward to today were I currently have Phil, a VT male, and Ruby, a CT female.

Both live in heated, filtered 5 gallon tanks. Phil is my chronic fin biter. He only bites if I skip a meal, so fasting is not an option for him at all. His tail is looking better. Until the next time I go out of town.

Ruby is lovely. She's active and always exploring. She's also a scavenger. If a pellet drops I know she'll find it. Unlike her brother who lounges around and lets food float by.

Enjoy a couple of pics! Sunday is water change day.
 

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#53 ·
Another biter

Today I moved Phil and Killian to other parts of the apartment. I was doing a feng shui renovation. I miss having the boys on the breakfast bar. It looks empty. I have a studio, so it's not like they went far lol. I still need a couple tank stands. It would be nice to put Ruby and the new guy on one and have Killian on my desk. Currently Killian and the new guy are on the desk.

Speaking of Killian, he is biting. I'm still a little in shock. I feel it is more about boredom than anything else. I picked up a couple more silk plants and did a rearrange of the plants in 3 tanks. Killian got two new plants and I put in a couple of those blue glass stones from the dollar store. Hopefully this will keep him occupied for awhile. I looked at decorations at Petco but I'm so leary of anything with paint on it. I'll go surf the diy thread for some inspiration.

The good news in all of this is Phil got two new plants. I hope this helps him with his biting.

I didn't think moving the tanks would be a big deal to the boys. Phil looked a little irritated like "human did I give you permission to move me?" Killian looked unhappy. He's not as close to me when I'm sitting at the desk as when I used to pass by him. Hopefully they adjust. I'm fully prepared for Phil biting tonight. He does not like change.

The new guy is doing great! He looks yellow in the light. If he turns more yellow this may throw off my current feng shui arrangement. I switched out his plant. He seems to like it. I think I'll have to change things often for him and Ruby. They are my most curious fish.

Pics below! I'm hoping they come out straight this time. Hate they are always sideways when I post from my phone.
 

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#54 ·
Admission

I have to admit something. My two impulse purchases (Ruby and the new guy) weren't really impulse purchases. I went in knowing I was looking for a betta, even if I wasn't prepared to buy. I seriously debated between Ruby and one of the red vt girls I knew didn't have much of a chance at Petco. Nothing was really wrong with her healthwise, she was just plain and I knew she'd be there for awhile. But I couldn't pass Ruby up. Her colors were too unique.

With the new guy, I was looking but trying to talk myself out of it. I even left, went grocery shopping where I plotted what I would have to do to make it work, and went back. I couldn't leave him there.

Phew, glad that's off my chest. :)
 
#55 ·
I ended up canceling my Drs. Smith and Foster order. After I placed it, I found out the filter I ordered for Ruby's tank was not that great. I tried to have them switch it out for something better but they wouldn't do it. I also found out the heaters I ordered were 50 watt, not 25. 50 would work just fine in the 5 gallon but not for Killian's two gallon. Plus after 4 days it hadn't shipped and I was getting impatient. I have two tanks with no heaters at the moment. They do fine (I've never seen it be less than 78 in the morning) but lately the problem has been the heat has been waking me up in the middle of the night. Two tanks are rather close to the ac, so I don't want to run it when they don't have heaters. The heat really doesn't bother me in the evening, but clearly it's a problem at night.

So I went to Amazon and purchased two heaters and two sponge filters for $41. I signed up for Prime to get free two day shipping, then immediately canceled it to get a refund. I'm really looking forward to getting the ac back on come Tuesday night.

Killian looks like he bit a little more. I rearranged the plants in his tank. He didn't like it, so I moved everything back. He seemed entertained this morning when I put a picture next to his tank. I also moved the moss ball from Ruby's tank into his. He didn't seem to notice. I'm supposed to go pick up a 3 gallon from someone on Craigslist tomorrow. She's selling it for $10. I'm not too happy about having to drive across town at 7 pm on a Sunday. We'll see what happens. It may fall through, or I may decide last minute I don't want to drive out there.

When I moved the moss ball this morning, I forgot to put the saran wrap back on Ruby's tank. I realized it when I got to work. Thankfully when I went home for lunch she was fine. Unfortunately, I put a hold on getting her a glass canopy since I canceled the Drs. Foster and Smith order. Maybe next month I can get it for her.
 
#56 ·
Lethargy

Phil gave me quite a scare. I did a partial water change this morning as I do every Sunday. When I got home a couple hours ago he was laying at the bottom clamped up and not moving. I was sure he was gone. I turned the light on and went to grab the net to scoop him up. He turned around and swam a little. I did another partial water change just in case. He perked up a bit.

The only thing I can think of is sbd, even though he poops fairly regularly. There was even poop when I got home so he went after I cleaned the tank this morning.

He's had off and on problems with lethargy since I had that anubias. After I removed it and did a water change he acted more normal. I made a post in the disease section in case there's something I'm missing.
 

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#57 ·
Well somebody (Phil) is super stressed for some reason. He is still clamped and sticking to the bottom of the tank. He is also doing some major damage to his fins. I went home for lunch and sucked up all the gunk at the bottom of the tank. It is probably leftover fin. I did a partial water change and gave his moss ball and the carbon packet a squeeze in old tank water. As I was about to leave, I caught him chasing his tail. WHAT ARE YOU DOING??? I put a dark towel over his tank to hopefully calm him down.

Possible causes of Phil's latest freakout are: upset about change in tank (new plants), upset about change in tank location, or tank water quality.

The only thing I can think of is his filter media needs to be changed but it will take a couple weeks for the bacteria to transfer. I will do partial water changes daily.

I should also mention I'm extremely stressed out today. More so than usual. This is not something I need. I can deal with him biting but this is extreme.

In happier news, I went to Wal-Mart yesterday to return some things. I ended up with $15 on a store gift card. I was browsing the fish section getting new filter media and looking at tanks since I'm still in the market for a new tank for Killian. They had a bunch of kits for around $30. I saw an empty 3 gallon halfmoon tank sitting out. Not in a box, no price tag, nothing. So I finally decide to take it to the register and find out what happens. The cashier started looking through a book and I said I was thinking $10. She asked me if I would do $11. Done! The people behind me started making jokes. She said she had to do $11 because she felt it was more of a $19 item. I nicely told her since it wasn't part of a kit, it wasn't as valuable. Regardless, I picked up a new tank for $11 and didn't have to drive across town to get one off Craigslist.

This tank has Killlian's name written on it. I do feel like I should be responsible and use this tank as a qt when I get a couple platys in a couple weeks. But then we're talking a month before Killian can be moved. Possibly more if they have fry before I can get them into the 10 gallon with a breeder net.
 
#59 ·
Killian thanks you for that wonderful suggestion. A bigger tank means I need more plants. I swear, I should have bought stock in silk plants. I'm excited to get him set up tomorrow. I'll have the heaters and sponge filters as well.
 
#61 ·
Update on Phil:

Last night he was darting all over. He seemed to really spaz out anytime I removed the towel. I got a flashlight to inspect closer. He could possibly have ick, but it wasn't that noticeable. But since he was acting crazy I did another partial water change, added some salt, and turned the temp up. This morning he is at a toasty 86 degrees and was acting a little less crazy.

He has been eating fine, but only if I use the turkey baster to put pellets down by him. When he sees the turkey baster he practically puts his face inside waiting to get the pellet. He's so ridiculous.

He still looks rather pathetic. He peers out from behind his plants and gives me the "mommy I don't feel good look."

I need to investigate Liam's health. He's acting fine, but Phil got sick after I was doing water changes and accidently shared the same bucket between taking water out of Liam's tank and putting water into Phil's tank. I think I'll get another bucket and use one for water out and one for water in.

Does anyone know how to spot ick on a light colored fish? Is it as noticeable?
 
#62 ·
I got my heaters and sponge filters today! So glad I got them before the temp started dropping. The only thing that dampers my excitement is the sponge filters didn't come with the plastic tube that goes down the middle. Was I supposed to have that on hand? I made a post in the habitat section so hopefully someone smarter than I will know. I have one that came with Killian's two gallon but don't want to snatch it. Plus I will need a second one anyway. Maybe Petco carries them?
 
#63 ·
Feeling better

Phil is doing better. He is much more active, but now I wonder if he is irritated about his reflection. Due to the way he is patrolling. I have tried putting white printer paper on his tank but he could still see his reflection. I may try black paper but don't want to have him blacked out all day.

I don't see any ick on him but will leave his temp at 86 for at least a week.

In other news, I was using the turkey baster to feed him since he wasn't coming up at feeding time. I have seen him come up for air. I created a monster. Now when he sees the turkey baster he goes and sticks his face in it. Trying to suck up poop last night was interesting.
 

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#64 ·
Killian's upgrade

I set up Killian's new 3 gallon last night. I would also like to mention that he was only cupped for a minute and I turned my head for a second and saw him jumping out of the corner of my eye. Of course I got him right back into water while cursing this behaviour. His last owner had him in a fish bowl. I would have expected him to be more prone to jumping given the horrible conditions he was in. But I think I give him a good life. He has clean water, plants that don't rip his fins, and food everyday. I really do realize bettas are just jumpers and it isn't actually a suicide attempt.

Last night he seemed to be in a bit of shock. Either from the jump or all the space. He is fine today and exploring. He still isn't much of a swimmer. He doesn't have a problem exactly, he's just more of a lounger.

Also, I'm retarded and had everything for the sponge filters. I went to package them up to send them back and realized the tubes were still in the box. Killian and Liam have filters and heaters! I have noticed Killian's heater is on to much. I set it to 79 and it kept coming on even though the temp was 80. When the temp climbed to 82 I turned it down. I had to turn it down to 72 before it would turn off. I'm keeping an eye on it.
 

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#66 ·
Yes silly instincts. I have the hole in the lid for the filter covered with seran wrap in case he gets anymore ideas. When I sat down at my desk I didn't see him, which is unusual. I had a brief moment of freakout before he swam over from the corner. Sheesh lol. Although I'm glad he's utilizing the extra space.
 
#68 ·
A THIRD biter

Liam has joined the biting club. I noticed a nip a few days ago. Today I did a partial water change and afterwards noticed more damage. I wish this was even a surprise at this point.

Like Killian, my first assumption is boredom. I had moved two plants around and put a picture of a waterfall next to his tank. He also got a couple of minutes of flare time with the mirror. I'm at a loss as to what else I can do. I ordered a cave from DangerousAngel. But I lack the funds to keep buying decorations.

I also feel like he has a heavily planted tank. Suggestions?
 

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#70 ·
Possibly? Well I spent $40 today. Most of it on things that will hopefully entertain them. But this is it. I'm drawing the line. And now I'm off to sew tunnels.
 
#71 ·
Diy

I spent a lot of money today (ok not that much but more than I would have liked) buying things to keep the boys entertained. Tonight I used fishing line to sew craft mesh tunnels for Killian and Liam. Pics below! I wish I had gotten a pic of Liam when I first put his in. He was very interested in the new thing in his home. Killian just used his! Yay! I will make one for Ruby as well. Probably not Phil because he hates change.

I also added some green glass stones to both tanks. Liam thought that was fascinating too.

I also have placemats, a new towel to put between tanks, dry erase markers to draw on the tanks, a new cave from Petsmart and a couple of those small glass vases/fish bowels from the dollar store for caves. I plan to use the placemats like backgrounds that I can change out. I'm trying to hold somethings back so I always have new things to add. For the glass vases, I want to paint them. I read on the diy thread it's safe to use Krylon Fusion. I did find some at Wal Mart but didn't buy any yet.

Another diy project is betta hammocks. I ripped the leaves off a leftover silk plant and used some aquarium safe sealant to glue the leaves to a suction cup. It needs to cure for a few days. And I need more suction cups.

Well that's enough diying for the night. Time for dinner for the fishies!

P.S. i just looked up from typing all this and Killian had himself wedged between the tunnel and the tank. He freed himself. Goodness.
 

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#72 ·
We have a fish who also gets bored-- I might even day depressed-- when he doesn't feel he's getting enough attention. Interestingly, he doesn't like when his tank is changed around-- it seems to stress him out. What I do is put something new outside for him to look at every day. Kids books have lots of nice bright colours. I don't know if fish see colour, but he seems to like them. Gabriel seems to like sparkly things as well, so I've leaned up things belonging to my daughter up against the side( she likes sparkly things as well!). My son likes Lego so Lego birds, Lego houses etc, often make their way to the outside of the tank. Even cereal boxes are interesting. If you look around your house I'm sure you can find things that don't cost money to entertain them...after all they aren't rocket scientists! ( interestingly, our other Betta doesn't seem to need any outside stimulation, or attention, for that matter! I think he thinks we aren't worthy of his attention!)
Good for you for caring for you fish's mental needs as well as his physical needs.
 
#73 ·
Thanks! I don't know how much I have around the house that would catch their attention. I have a couple of framed pics that did it, but I thought they needed more variety. I don't have kids and also don't eat cereal lol. Maybe a banana would entertain them? They also don't utilize the little planters in their tanks. Killian did a couple times but only during water changes. Which is kinda what inspired me to make the tunnels and buy stuff for diy caves. Also, I would rather make stuff than buy junk. It'll be a nice project.
 
#74 ·
Well Liam has shredded his fins. I was going to give him a couple weeks to get used to the changes, but there is new damage daily. He almost looks like a ct. I took the tunnel out, gave it a vinegar bath, and gave it to Ruby. I hope Liam doesn't turn into an ocd, psychotic fish (like Phil). For now I'll just put things outside his tank to entertain him. When I thought about it, I have a lot of books and dvds I could use.

Killian on the other hand is just a happy, laid back guy. He loves his tunnel. He's really thriving in a bigger tank. I adore him. I did have a dream last night about a red betta being out of water and dying. I had already covered the hole in the hood for the filter with seran wrap. This morning I covered the feeding hole too. It's quite large on this tank. It wouldn't surprise me if he tried to jump out of it. I took the dream as a sign.

Ruby is doing well. She could not care less about her new tunnel, but I doubt she'll freak out about it. She's still majorly into glass surfing. I taped a place-mat onto the side she usually surfs to try and curb it. She moved to the other side of the tank.

Phil is doing better. I still have the temp at 86. He is biting but not as badly as before. Hopefully he will let his tail grow back some.

I bought a three pack of marimo moss balls from Petco last time I had to buy silk plants. I've had them about a week I think. They are still in qt. The water they were in was quite disgusting and the moss balls had white specks on them. I read elsewhere it could be sand or other debris, not ick. I'll have to give them a squeeze and see if they lose the white spots. I'm excited to get them into the tanks! Hopefully Liam doesn't freak out about that. Not even Phil freaked out when I put an anubias plant in. Although he did flare at his moss ball.

Happy weekend all!
 
#75 ·
Phil 2.0

Liam had developed two big tears in his tail in addition to munching on it. I took two suspect plants out, which made him freak out and bite more. I feel like I have two psycho fish. I know all I can do is keep the water clean. I've ruled out changing things in either tank because it makes them bite more. I am committing to putting things on the outside of the tank to try and distract them. Today I put a green ceramic frog in front of Liam's tank. He hid then proceeded to stare it down. Silly boy.

He also has two filters. One is what may be a tetra whisper. It came with the tank but had been in the 10 gallon until I could get a bigger one for Ruby. Liam also has a sponge filter. It seemed rather small for a 5 gallon so I figured two is better than not enough. He seems to have a little trouble with the suction. I can baffle it but would rather not. I think having a little current is good for them.

Everyone else is good. Well Ruby and Killian are good. Phil took another big bite out of his tail but there is regrowth other places. He is still being treated for ick. I believe treatment is two weeks.
 

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#76 ·
Ruby finally got something new

Ruby is my least maintenance fish. I love all my bettas equally and try to treat them all the same. But since she isn't a biter she kinda gets the short end of the stick. Despite that, she does have a 10 gallon and has always had the most heavily planted tank.

I ordered a cave from DangerousAngel about a week or so ago. It was actually intended for Liam, but since he tore up his fin the last time I moved things around no cave for him. I opted to give it to Ruby since she has the most extra space and hasn't gotten anything new decor-wise. She loved it! She stared at it suspiciously at first but didn't hesitate to go inside and explore. I hope it distracts her from glass surfing.

Everyone also got a partial water change tonight. Phil and Liam need the extra changes for their biting. Liam doesn't have any new bites. I'm hopeful he'll quit if I quit messing with his tank.

In other news, I was really looking forward to Petco having their 30 percent off sale on fish and plants. I wanted to get at least 1 anubias and maybe 1 java fern per tank. But I've spent a lot of money in the last month. I did acquire Killian and Liam in July and thus spent a lot on silk plants. I never got the lighting upgraded and don't want to risk having more plants die off. I know those are both low light plants, but I already killed one and am not up for wasting anymore money.

Anyway, pictures of Ruby's mansion below.
 

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#77 ·
Fin rot?

Liam looks to have mostly left his tail alone lately. This morning I noticed black on the edge of his bite marks. I don't know for sure if it is rot. It would surprise me if so because Phil has never had rot. It's salt and daily water changes mister.

I noticed a couple days ago Ruby had a white string like thing on her tummy. This morning it was still there and there looked to be a little fungus on her dorsal fin. She has been pooping fine so I didn't suspect parasites at first. She got a meth blue bath and I added salt and Prazi to her tank. Everyone also got partial water changes.

Phil and Killian are doing great! I'm considering Killian totally healed from being a biter. He only bit a little and hasn't touched his fin since he moved into the 3 gallon. He always seems so happy. I adore him.

Phil actually hasn't touched his fin in awhile. There is lots of regrowth. I hope he'll leave his tail alone, but he is a chronic biter so he probably won't.

I had wanted to go out and get a platy or snail today. Of course any new additions would be quarantined before being added to Ruby's tank. But her apparent issues make me want to hold off for a bit.

Pics of Liam's ragged fins and Phil all healed up. The black edge really didn't come out in the pictures. And he's always moving so it's hard to get a clear picture of him.
 

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