Thanks for your reply shiningwizard255. You certainly addressed many concerns, and I appreciate the heads-up about bettas being jumpers - news to me!
I myself went from buying a beta on impulse at the big box pet store to “save” if from the cup of death to loving keeping fish as a hobby.
I was a typical beta fish owner at first and though I anguished and tried very hard, I lost the poor thing after about 4 months.
Now I have 2 big tanks with live plants and some nice tropical fish. Even a breeding pair of german blue rams.
If you really want to keep fish healthy and happy you MUST learn about the Nitrogen Cycle.
Please join a bulletin board type just like COTH.
I am a member on “Fishlore”
I have learned so much from those people that are members!
Everyone is so willing to help!
I now, knock on wood, have had my main tank running for a year with a happy and lovely population of fish that are healthy and happy.
They are so much fun to watch and relaxing too!
Not sure if I enjoy the fish (Rams)or the Amano Shrimp or even the Mystery Snails more…the shrimp are really cool though!
Really…join Fishlore and read up on the nitrogen cycle. It will make things so much easier! Maybe you can find someone near you that has an established tank that will give you some seeded filter media to kick start you cycle.
It will be worth your while if you really do enjoy fish keeping and want to do it properly.
I’ve kept and bred bettas for a long time. First and foremost:
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HEAT. they are tropical and really need heat. There are a number of good, small heaters for 1-5 gallons, that should be a priority.
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Filter/nitrogen cycle: The problem with little tanks is that it’s hard to establish a good nitrogen cycle in it, so you have to clean them ridiculously often to keep your fish healthy. As the fish poos (and food breaks down), it adds ammonia to the water. Ammonia is toxic to fish. It will cause fin rot and weaken the immune system, as well as burns to the gills. This is why half the bettas in petstores look like they’re at death’s door - if their cups haven’t been cleaned that day, ammonia builds up super fast. Bettas tolerate this better than other species because they can breathe air from the surface if they can’t use their gills. But it still really can cause problems.
The point of airflow and a filter is to help nourish bacteria that eat the ammonia. The filter’s main purpose is to provide a lot of surface area for the bacteria (the sponge/filter media), and keep water flowing over it (the bacteria need oxygen, so still water with no aeration won’t help it grow). That bacteria converts ammonia to nitrites which are ALSO toxic. Then a second colony of bacteria eats nitrites and converts it to nitrate, which is tolerable by fish (though you want to do water changes to keep it down). To establish this cycle, you need:
- some sort of filter. If not a "hang on back" you can build a sponge filter using filter sponges and an airline attached to air pump. Here are some directions. (you can buy sponge filters too, they're cheap. Probably this type is your best option in a small tank for a betta, as bettas like still water and many filters create a fast current)
- NEVER clean ALL the water at one time or scrub everything down. Rinse filter media in dechlorinated water ONLY. Once the cycle is established, do partial water changes, removing (for a 2 gallon tank) maybe 25% of the water and replacing it a couple times per week.
- Get a test kit to test for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. Before the cycle is fully established, there will be spikes in ammonia and nitrites. You will need to do more water changes to keep those levels down and from really hurting your fish
Really, heat and water quality are the biggest things. Bettas can be kept in bowls with no filters if you are really diligent, but it’s nowhere near optimal. I’d recommend more than 2 gallons, as well. Contrary to popular belief, their natural environment offers them quite a lot of space. They can live in puddles and oxen hoofprints if necessary for short periods, but they really thrive when given more room.
He needs some warmth, do NOT leave the light on all the time… fish need sleep too and the light simulates his daytime. Bettas are ok in somewhat dirty water , they live in brackish water in the wild but don’t go that far. The bubble blowing at the top, if its large piles and foamy is part of the breeding thing… but save yourself some trouble and Don’t get a female.
keep the tank nice, limit light, warm water. He is an air breather so no bubbler truly needed unless you are going to get a catfish for the bottom.
[QUOTE=Lostboy;7231958]
He is an air breather so no bubbler truly needed unless you are going to get a catfish for the bottom.[/QUOTE]
Bubbler/air is less about the fish, and more about oxygenating the water and providing movement for the beneficial bacteria needed to take care of ammonia/nitrites.
The best way to cure sick betta is using : Salt & Indian Almond Leaves , by add 1 teaspoon salt & 1 Indian Almond Leaves in 1 litre water…then put your sick betta in this prepared water. Hope this can help your betta fish.
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