Betta Help Please!
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My biggest concern is that he's clamped. The fact that he is changing colors isn't a concern, he appears to be a marble, but if he's losing color and becoming pale that is a concern.
More info is needed: http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=49233
More info is needed: http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=49233
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He does live in a 1/2 gallon tank. When I got him, the pet store owner told me he should be all set to go. I notice his fins where like that and I started to get worried.
I am in college so I can't have everything that he would need. But I am getting a much bigger tank, water treatment, plants, and medicine for bacterial infection to be on the safe side.
Is there anything else I should get this little guy? I feel so bad and angry that I didn't know any better. I hope it's not to late to make him happier!
I am in college so I can't have everything that he would need. But I am getting a much bigger tank, water treatment, plants, and medicine for bacterial infection to be on the safe side.
Is there anything else I should get this little guy? I feel so bad and angry that I didn't know any better. I hope it's not to late to make him happier!
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I'll just give you a run through.. Don't worry, pet store employees are clueless most of the time.
Make sure you are using conditioner - it should ideally be liquid and it must say it removes chlorine, chloramines and heavy metals.
Bettas need to be kept in 2 gallons minimum. In these twice weekly water changes of 50% and 100% are needed. Bettas kept in 1 gallon containers live an average of about 2 years compared to double that+ in larger containers. The 1 gallon would need 3 weekly water changes of 50%, 50% and 100%, and even then they will be subjected to ammonia. In the half gallon I would do daily 50% and 100% alternating, or at least 100% by mid week.
The 50% changes the betta can be kept in the bowl and use a turkey baster to remove half the water and as much of the debris as possible. For the 100% you need to remove him - scoop him out with a plastic solo type cup and set aside while you thoroughly rinse the bowl and gravel to remove the debris. Then he should be acclimated to the new water by floating for an hour while you slowly add a couple tablespoons of new water to the cup every 10 minutes. When you release him, try to let as little of the old cup water back into the tank as possible. All water changes should use same temp water, matched to running tap using the in tank thermometer and the water needs to be premixed with conditioner before adding it to the betta tank. If you don't already have anything, you can use gallon water jugs from the grocery store - rinsed thoroughly in hot water but no chems.
Bettas are tropical fish and must be kept at a temp between 76-82, with 78-80 being ideal. The temp must be stable and not be dipping or jumping around. In a 2 gallon you can get an adjustable 25w heater. Any new heater should be tested for 24 hours in similar size container with in tank thermometer to make sure it will hold a constant appropriate temp between 78-80F. Then the betta must be acclimated to higher temp either by floating in a cup inside the main already fully heated tank for an hour, or by adjusting the heater to increase the temperature of the tank no more than a degree per hour and 5 degrees per day.
Flakes aren't good nutritional value, and especially with something this small they muck up the water quickly causing excess ammonia. You should look for a good quality pellets whose first two or three ingredients are whole fish, not fish meal or wheat. He should be fed two small meals a day (how many depends on the pellet you pick up) and one fast day a week.
Make sure you are using conditioner - it should ideally be liquid and it must say it removes chlorine, chloramines and heavy metals.
Bettas need to be kept in 2 gallons minimum. In these twice weekly water changes of 50% and 100% are needed. Bettas kept in 1 gallon containers live an average of about 2 years compared to double that+ in larger containers. The 1 gallon would need 3 weekly water changes of 50%, 50% and 100%, and even then they will be subjected to ammonia. In the half gallon I would do daily 50% and 100% alternating, or at least 100% by mid week.
The 50% changes the betta can be kept in the bowl and use a turkey baster to remove half the water and as much of the debris as possible. For the 100% you need to remove him - scoop him out with a plastic solo type cup and set aside while you thoroughly rinse the bowl and gravel to remove the debris. Then he should be acclimated to the new water by floating for an hour while you slowly add a couple tablespoons of new water to the cup every 10 minutes. When you release him, try to let as little of the old cup water back into the tank as possible. All water changes should use same temp water, matched to running tap using the in tank thermometer and the water needs to be premixed with conditioner before adding it to the betta tank. If you don't already have anything, you can use gallon water jugs from the grocery store - rinsed thoroughly in hot water but no chems.
Bettas are tropical fish and must be kept at a temp between 76-82, with 78-80 being ideal. The temp must be stable and not be dipping or jumping around. In a 2 gallon you can get an adjustable 25w heater. Any new heater should be tested for 24 hours in similar size container with in tank thermometer to make sure it will hold a constant appropriate temp between 78-80F. Then the betta must be acclimated to higher temp either by floating in a cup inside the main already fully heated tank for an hour, or by adjusting the heater to increase the temperature of the tank no more than a degree per hour and 5 degrees per day.
Flakes aren't good nutritional value, and especially with something this small they muck up the water quickly causing excess ammonia. You should look for a good quality pellets whose first two or three ingredients are whole fish, not fish meal or wheat. He should be fed two small meals a day (how many depends on the pellet you pick up) and one fast day a week.
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A 5 gallon tank would be great! Here is a great thread that discusses water changes, and how often they need to be done: http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=115758
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5 gallon unfiltered would need weekly 100% changes, though I do suggest adding at least a small mid week change or else change by day 5, based on my own experience.
If you're cycling it, which you can pretty easily in something of this size, you need a reliable drops kit for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate and more is needed up front, but once it's cycled a weekly 50% with siphon should be ok.
If you're cycling it, which you can pretty easily in something of this size, you need a reliable drops kit for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate and more is needed up front, but once it's cycled a weekly 50% with siphon should be ok.
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Yes: http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=115758
It's very helpful. I have 5 gallons for both my fish and they're great.
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