Keeping Fish

[Shellybean02]

I thought Epsom salt was NOT to be used in fish? Or am I losing my marbles?

Maybe certain fish, but it apparently helped my boy

Aquarium salt is for external problems, and epsom salt, as I mentioned before, is for internal problems. But table salt(iodized) is always a no-no for fish.

 

[Bunnylady]

Quote: I was just pointing out that they aren't interchangeable. Even with Epsom salts, you need to check the label, because there may be other things (like fragrance) added when the product is sold in a grocery store (I had to buy Epsom salts for soaking my horse's foot recently, and the only kind I could find had fragrance added to it. My horse didn't care that she smelled like lavender, of course, but it sure seemed strange to me!)

 

[Shellybean02]

I was just pointing out that they aren't interchangeable. Even with Epsom salts, you need to check the label, because there may be other things (like fragrance) added when the product is sold in a grocery store (I had to buy Epsom salts for soaking my horse's foot recently, and the only kind I could find had fragrance added to it. My horse didn't care that she smelled like lavender, of course, but it sure seemed strange to me!)

That's what I was worried about as well. Fortunately my house had regular Epsom salt on hand, not being used, so I adopted it for my fish in case any of them get sick again(or if Orlando's condition doesn't improve).
For some reason he seems to have inflamed gills(they won't close properly), but Monroe is all fine so I doubt the water conditions are causing all this... Correct me if I'm wrong? Maybe Monroe is just a tough cookie

 

[Shellybean02]

To the people with betta breeding experience: Is it necessary to get an entire new setup just for the fry and spawning? Can I simply use a plastic bin for the fry with some water changes? I am hoping I can supply local pet shops with the fry when they mature, but if I can't I'll see if I can find some people to buy from me. Of course, at first I have to make sure I have the adult betta care under control. This is just for future reference.

 

[politicalcenter]

To the people with betta breeding experience: Is it necessary to get an entire new setup just for the fry and spawning? Can I simply use a plastic bin for the fry with some water changes? I am hoping I can supply local pet shops with the fry when they mature, but if I can't I'll see if I can find some people to buy from me. Of course, at first I have to make sure I have the adult betta care under control. This is just for future reference.

You need to google something like "feed for beta fry" . Some egg layers....or should I say most all egg layers...are so small they need microscopic food and this you have to raise yourself. That is why I suggested you start with Guppies or some other live bearing fish. You can pulverize flake food and feed the fry with that.

I think just about anyone that starts in the hobby wants to sell fish at the local pet store and most of us have been let down. Most pet stores love to sell you fish but seldom want to buy them from individuals.

The only real chance you would have to sell your fish would probably be to sell them on the net.


I need some Tilapia as soon as the weather warms and I would buy quite a few for the right price.

 

[LeafBlade12345]

To the people with betta breeding experience: Is it necessary to get an entire new setup just for the fry and spawning? Can I simply use a plastic bin for the fry with some water changes? I am hoping I can supply local pet shops with the fry when they mature, but if I can't I'll see if I can find some people to buy from me. Of course, at first I have to make sure I have the adult betta care under control. This is just for future reference.

Shelly,
Are you thinking of making a profit off your Bettas? If so, I think guppies are a much better choice. There is more of a chance that a pet store will take them, and, if they are of good lineage, they will pay well. Bettas are not worth it for the money. If you want to sell, I strongly suggest live bearers, which pet stores will often take. Yet most stores get their fish from major industries where they can buy in bulk, cheaply, without regard to the fishes' well beings. They may buy from you if the price is right. You'd do better selling online, as politicalcenter mentioned. I could even possibly supply you with guppies, or at least more advice. They are just better beginner fish than Bettas and are much hardier and less expensive. Plus, they breed like crazy. The females are pregnant pretty much all the time. You can fill your tank with females, then one or two males, and fry will come in hordes. They are small but easy to feed and can be kept in tiny breeder boxes for each thirty or so. You can make a much better profit this way. Good luck and have fun keeping your fish!

Regards,
Leaf

 

[Shellybean02]

Say I want to hold off on getting more bettas; can I fill my tank with guppies, and my boys will take turns being part of the community(one of them in the box, one of them in the open)? Or are guppies really bad to house with bettas? I hear that they're nippers, but why would they nip if they themselves have colorful, flowing fins?
I'm mostly interested in seeing if I can preserve Monroe's traits through breeding. He seems to be very unique and if he has a few fry I'm sure I can sell them for good prices, online or locally. Nothing major, but yes I know it's a big responsibility

 

[LeafBlade12345]

Say I want to hold off on getting more bettas; can I fill my tank with guppies, and my boys will take turns being part of the community(one of them in the box, one of them in the open)? Or are guppies really bad to house with bettas? I hear that they're nippers, but why would they nip if they themselves have colorful, flowing fins?
I'm mostly interested in seeing if I can preserve Monroe's traits through breeding. He seems to be very unique and if he has a few fry I'm sure I can sell them for good prices, online or locally. Nothing major, but yes I know it's a big responsibility

Guppies are not fin nippers. This is one of the most common myths I get as a breeder. They will only nip fish with very long, flowing fins, such as bettas, and even then, this is almost never. All of my guppies have been great community fish. Males will occasionally fight if the ratio of female to male is off, but otherwise, they are very docile fish. Most of mine will eat out of my hand and will readily let me scoop them up in a net for inspection, treatment, or movement. This is great because it is much easier to feed, cull, transport, and check the guppies, and they will not swim to the bottom of the tank when you near it. The Bettas would be the worrying ones. I wouldn't want a Betta with my guppies. Disclaimer, I guess I'm a hypocrite, because I'm housing three with a few hobby guppies, but not any serious breeders. Anyway, I think if the betta is docile, and you get mostly female guppies, you shouldn't have a problem.

Regards,
Leaf

Edited because spellcheck is extremely annoying...

 

[Shellybean02]

Just had a moment of ideas... I can house Orlando with guppies in my ten gal. Then I can get another setup with a divider and multiple breeder boxes. One side of the tank will be where Monroe sets up his bubble nest and cares for the eggs. When the fry are free swimming, they will live there and Monroe will be temporarily relocated(breeder box). As the fry mature, female fry will live with the females on the other side of the tank; males will go into breeder boxes; and Monroe will go back to his side of the tank. Keep in mind, this is in the future, and the tank will only be fully stocked until I can rehome the fry. By the time I'm able to go about with this plan I'm sure I'll be able to manage water conditions properly.
This is, if my fish decide to live... So yes I'd love to own guppies

 

[LeafBlade12345]

Be careful. Females don't always get along. They will fight much like males unless they are in large numbers.

Regards,
Leaf