My New Fish

[Henrietta23]

We had one that lived to be almost three years. His tank wasn't spotless..... wasn't disgusting either. I wonder?

 

[Chirpy]

Actually the murky water thing is not true. Although Bettas can live in muddy water because they are anabantids (meaning they breath air) they do best in clean, filtered and warm (around 80 degrees F) water.

One of the reasons that Betta's don't live as long in captivity as they could/should is because people have been given the mistaken information that Betta's should be kept in small bowls. This is not true, they shouldn't be kept in anything smaller than a 10 gln. tank although if well kept some do Ok in 5 gln. tanks. IMO it's cruel for stores to sell them in those small plastic cups, also leaving people with the impression that they can live in those or a small bowl. For us, when we moved our male Betta from his 10 gln. to a 30 gln. and then to our 55 gln. tank he became much more 'alive' with each move. He truly seemed happier with the larger tank space - we could literally see it in his personality.

Also, as stated, you shouldn't ever have two males within sight of each other and never in the same tank. Although people think they kill each other in the wild that's not true. The loser of the fight runs (well, swims) away from the winner. In a tank setting the loser cannot get away and thus, will often be killed as the more aggressive/winner will continue the fight since their is no safe retreat for the loser.

Male Betta's should never be kept with other fish that have long flowing fins (Angelfish, Gouramis, etc.) as that usually leads to fights as the Betta sees the other fish as a competitor. They can live very peacefully with other types of fish.

If you have a male with females you should have at least three females so the male doesn't harass just one but spreads out his 'advances' between them thus giving the females a break from his attention.

You new fish looks beautiful. Hope some of the above is helpful .... fish are a wonderful hobby.

 

[Wildsky]

How cool!!!

I used to keep one on my desk at work.......... I had him at least 3 years, I had to bring him home after they changes some "rules" about fire safety or something silly, but he was on my desk for a long long time..... he got lots of attention there!

 

[CarriBrown]

Very pretty! I used to love having fish when I was little, but the flushing thing was too much for me! I just can't bring myself to get any more.
Great names, BTW!

 

[Kanchii]

Pretty!
My friends beta's fins kinda deteriorated as well, but it was because she was feeding too much of the beta food, which is very high acidity to give them their vibrant colors, and i guess it kinda ate away at him because of it.

 

[silkiechicken]

I had a pair of male betas once. In two tanks of course. One was red, one was blue. I named the red fish "blue" and the blue fish "red". Both lived about 2-3 years.... I admit it though... I probably did a water stir and half water change once every 3 months... It did get to be a little bit green on the edges of the tank but never that bad that you couldn't see the fish! It's sad to see "beta" tanks that are about 6 ounces sold for betas. Poor things. I like to have at least a gallon each even if they don't "use" it all.

 

[mangled]

Beautiful!!

I've had my betta since Valentine's Day '06. My 5 year old named him Marigold. He's blue and red. He's been in a 3.5 gallon tank on my kitchen counter the whole time. In those 2 years, I've probably changed the water 4 times. I have a little airstone and a wisteria plant, and he seems happy.

I would have more bettas, but I think my husband has reached his tolerance for inside critters.

Em

I just realized I don't list my betta as a pet in my signature. I'm sure he would be horribly insulted if he knew.

 

[d.k]

*My dad used to breed certain fish for collectors-- bettas were one of his favs. We had a big garage half full of tanks of fish. He used to tie up little bags of orchid peat to make "peat tea" in the tanks to acidify the water and/or use part rainwater in the tanks. Too high a pH is bad for their fins. Bettas can "get used to" a lot of conditions if the change is subtle. But, I think their real "home turf" is like tropical estuary or boggy, kinda. A goodly bit of vegetation in stages of decay, freshened by a lot of rain & some tide action.

 

[Critter Crazy]

Very Handsome Betta!! Gorgeosu color!! I ahve two bettas myself! They are quite addicting!! I would have tons more, but hubby dosent like all the plugs I have in the house already with my four tanks, incubator, and brooder! LOL!!

 

[sweetshoplady]

Beautiful fish!

Down here they sell Bettas in a vase with a plant growing in it. It's neat.