[moodynarwhal]

So, where should I start? I guess with how I got my fish. I went to petco and bought them. The end. Just kidding:lol:
I had my first ever Betta when I was 4. He was a B-day present from my parents. I know he was purple, and I think he was probably a VT. I remember that after he died we went to home depot. My memory is weird. SIP Fishy.
The next Betta I had was was a blue VT with red ventrals. He had fin rot when I brought him home, but he got better. He only lived 4-5 months though His name was Sea Star.
Now I have 2 Bettas at the same time, Raspberry and Sunspot.

Raspberry is the CT and Sunspot is the little one. I don't know what he is, he's still just a baby, but I'm thinking probably a delta. I got Raspberry a year after Sea Star died. I knew I wanted a CT and he wasn't really the prettiest fish there, but I wanted him for an unknown reason, and I got him.
A few weeks ago my Dad bought me a used 5 gallon and I was like, Yay! Room for more fish! So I went to petco and just browsed a little. They had a lot of really little babies, colorless and everything. I knew I wanted a baby, but not one that little. Then I saw Sunspot and I was like 'MINE' I had said I wasn't getting another blue/red fish, but here I am! Fishy remains my only Betta that was not blue and red.
This Raspberry's first (puny) bubble nest.

He only made it after I put in that big blue silk plant. He absolutely adores it. It's kinda funny, he's always in it.
Sunspot is hand-fed, it's a lot of fun. Unfortunately, Raspberry refuses being hand-fed. Wow, this is a long post. I think I should stop before you lose interest if you haven't already. More about other stuff tomorrow. I can't always promise pictures, but expect a lot of words!

 

[moodynarwhal]

Yesterday I did a water change in Raspberry's tank with my new gravel vac, and I have to say, it's awesome. Way, way, way, easier than a full water change, and a lot better for the fish. Today I tried the vac on Sunspot's bowl (yes, I know, a bowl, but it isn't permanent.) and it didn't work. I think the bowl is too small. It's a 1 gallon and I just can't get enough water in the siphon for it to work. I have to get the five gallon running soon!

 

[moodynarwhal]

New pics of Sunspot!!

I'm thinking about having either Raspberry or Sunspot when he's grown a bit in the 5 gallon with a couple of ADF. I think I have multi-tank syndrome. ;-) I also thought about getting another betta with a divider, but I'm a little wary of fish wriggling to the other side. I'll have to wait and see!:-D

 

[shellsie]

Your fishies are so pretty! Can't wait to hear more


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[moodynarwhal]

Thanks shellsie! The fish say... Well, they don't really say anything.

Raspberry's Awesome Flare-face:

He's decided that the camera is a threat to his territory, which is good for taking pictures! I let him and Sunspot see each other for a minute, and Raspberry flipped out so much that I was afraid he'd hurt himself. I'm not sure why, he doesn't react like that to his reflection. I'm not doing that again.
I switched to NLS small fish formula, I'm hoping it'll be a good choice for Sunspot since he's still growing. Sometimes I feed them fruit flies when I can find them. I like NLS 'cause they're small. I'm afraid of feeding big pellets.

 

[moodynarwhal]

Sunspot is definitely not a skittish fish. I put my finger in the water and he bit and bit it. I kinda wish I had a fish who wasn't either terrified of me or trying to eat me. Oh well, It doesn't matter.

 

[moodynarwhal]

Sunspot swam into my cupped hand today... And nipped me.

 

[moodynarwhal]

I was browsing around on ebay, looking at the bettas, and guess which one I liked the best? Yup. The blue and red one. I have an addiction to blue and red bettas. I'm going to end up with a lot of fish that are only blue and red. What is wrong with me? I need a little variation, don't I?

 

[goldfishfanforever]

Love your journal so far and can't wait to see the 5 gallon set up.

 

[moodynarwhal]

Yeah, I can't wait to see it either. LOL

 

[moodynarwhal]

Sunspot is on a new feeding schedule, 2 pellets 3-4 times a day, instead of 3-4 pellets twice a day. I read that this will help them grow, and I think he is an extremely slow grower. here he is when I got him:

Here he is now, a month and a half later:

So, hopefully he will grow some more. I'm watching him to make sure the new feeding schedule doesn't make him bloated. It seems good so far!

 

[moodynarwhal]

WC day = Me, carrying jars of water back and forth from my room to the bathroom, inevitably getting everything wet, juggling all the equipment, while my little sister screams at me. OK, she doesn't always scream, and she can be pretty cool but, just,:frustrated:. There we go. Rant over.
It's so funny how I'll come in my room and the fish will be staring at me in almost the same positions. It's just like "You guys are so similar! Why do you hate each other?'
I went to walmart on memorial day and saw the bettas. All the cups were right next to each other without a divider and the were stored right in front of a mirror! I just feel so bad for them, and I wish I could just take 'em all home!

 

[moodynarwhal]

I'm starting to think Sunspot is a female. (s)he looks just like one except for that long anal fin. I'll have to wait and see. For right now its a (s)he.
In non-fish related news, I'm now a highschooler! I homeschool so I'm hoping to do highschool in 2 years instead of 4. Wish me luck!

 

[moodynarwhal]

I'm torn between setting up my five gallon now and doing a complete overhaul when I have the money, or just waiting another month. It might be less hassle to just wait a little while and then I won't have to change substrates, add live plants, a filter and start cycling. I don't even have the stuff to cycle and I wanted to do a fish-in cycle so I could add two ADF once the cycle is complete. I also wanted it to be my first live planted tank. Am I getting too ambitious? Really the only reason to set up the 5 gallon now would be to get Sunspot out of that 1 gallon. WC are a pain. Sunspot would get the 2.5 gallon and Raspberry would be granted the 5 gallon since he has to lug around those fins.
Everyday Sunspot looks more like a girl. I think I saw ovaries. I'm going to post pics as soon as I hook up my camera to the computer.

 

[moodynarwhal]

Here are the new pics of Sunspot. (s)he looks like a girl to me.

She has fins a little long for a female, but if she was a boy I think the fins would be much longer at this point. My family has all compared pics of females to pics of Sunspot, and for now we're calling her a girl.

 

[moodynarwhal]

The other day I was talking to my mom about 'dream fish' and I said "I love all the bettas. My dream fish would have to be a giant elephant ear double-tailed dragonscale rainbow-colored crowntail." Haha it's true though.
I think soon I'm going to post the stuff I use, including the little plastic spoon that Raspberry loves (he loves it because I use it to feed him.) Adios for tonight!

 

[moodynarwhal]

I went to Petsmart today and they had a black orchid crowntail and I was like nooo! I have to wait to get another betta until
1. the five gallon is set up.
2. I have more funds
But I love black orchid crowntails!
I did get a check valve though so I can finally set up Raspberry's filter. I'll tell y'all how that goes. Also, any opinions on Sunspot's gender would be appreciated. (s)he must be about 3-4 months old now.

 

[Tourmaline]

Ooh, black orchid CTs are one of my favorites. I haven't been able to find one in stores, so you're lucky.

I still think Sunspot is a he, but I could be wrong. His/her ventrals are pretty long for a female, even my halfmoon female with huge fins had tiny ventrals. Egg spots can show up on young males too. But he/she does have a feminine shape.. Hmm. Can you get him/her to flare? A female won't have the part of the beard that sticks out at the bottom.

 

[moodynarwhal]

I've tried both a mirror and Raspberry and while Raspberry goes crazy Sunspot doesn't seem to care. I've never seen Sunspot have a beard.

 

[moodynarwhal]

I got Sunspot to flare but of course I couldn't get a picture. I think you're right though, the beard sticks out at the bottom. I guess he's just a small male with a funny body shape XD My mom is convinced he's a girl though. Seriously, he's been the hardest fish to tell what he is that I've ever seen! Do you think he'll grow more? I was thinking he's a little old to grow much more but I'm probably wrong.