I was thinking of getting bettas after hearing so much about them. They really sound like loads of fun. I just want to know what supplies I should get (food, conditioner, special ornaments etc.) Please give me a list with exact brands (only if it matters, if all brands are equal then don't bother.) Another question. Do bettas fare better with or without filtration because I have a hydro sponge filter thats without use. Should I use this filter? That's all for now. Thanks in advance.
Kylie Anne2007-04-26T15:05:03Z
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this is my answer for a similar question reworded where needed.
I've have had many bettas and currently have 15. they do NOT "like" to be in those tiny bowls, they survive in them, but not thrive. besides the fact that they're tiny they're also darn near impossible to keep heated without frying the fish. and yes, bettas are tropical fish and room temp is just to cold for them, when kept at room temp they become weak and more prone to diseases. think about it this way... would you rather be kept in a tiny cold closet or a nice big comfy house with furniture and decorations and a toilet?
bettas live in rice paddies and slow moving streams naturally. they have their own LARGE but shallow territory. during the dry season the paddies dry up to large puddles (hence the myth they live in muddy puddles, which turned into other ones like a wet hoofprint of an ox, ect) (I don't don't know where on earth the guy above got the idea that they are NATURALLY found in whiskey bottles... no fish is naturally found in a bottle).
for optimum betta health (and believe me I've tried a lot of things):
1. a filtered (I'm not a huge fan of sponge filters, but they work for some people) and heated tank of at least 2.5gallons with a few silk plants (if you get a filter you never need to do full water changes) 2. feed your betta 4-6 pellets a day. best if done 2-3 twice a day. feed a pea (thaw a frozen pea in hot water until room temp, peal of the skin and feed the insides to your betta) once or twice a month to pervent constipation. 4. a variety of foods is good, if you can fined frozen(not freeze dried, freeze dried has very little nutrients left and should only be used as a treat) or live foods. 5. anything 2 gallons or less without a filter needs to have full water changes twice a week. anything 3-5 gallons without a filter should have full water changes once a week. 6. temps of about 78°F to 82°F are ideal, but make sure you're keeping it at least 72°F 7. males can't be kept with other bettas, but make great additions to community tanks with peaceful tropicals. 8. females can be housed with other females if they're in groups of at least 3 but preferably 5 with 2 gallons for every fish. females can also work in a community tank.
if you have any farther questions feel free to email me:
some things that are in my tank are one plant ( the number of plants u have depends on the size of ur tank), any brand, some rocks/pebbels, and special water! The water can be regullar water but first u have to condition it with is (i perfer) "BETTA plus Bowl Conditioner" made by "NUTRAFIN"!!! This makes the water more sufficiant for the betta to breath in!!! I use blood worms (freeze dried) manufactured by AquaSelect!! My fish loves it!!! And bettas do not need filtering because they have special air sacks in them to help them breath w/o a filter!!!! So u dont need to worry about that!!! And also, please dont put another betta in there (im sure u already no), male bettas fight to the death and the male, after mating, will KILL the female and then take care of the babies(eggs/guppies)!!! Right now the betta i have is sorta boering but i have had many i have loved alot and were really fun!!!! Also remember that bettas like room to swim and dont really like being crowded w/ plants and other things!!! Also u will need a net because when ur water gets dirty u will need a net to capture ur fish and put him into a bowl full of the CONDITIONED water!! u will have to/should clean the bowl about 1-2 times a month depending on how dirty ur water gets!!!
Bettas are very nice fish, and very easy to raise. They can go for a month without feeding.
Actually, filtration/oxygen is completely optional, because bettas have labyrinths inside their bodies that let them 'breathe' air directly from the surface of the water. For my betta, I have simply betta bites and some freeze-dried bloodworms. Bettas are pretty hardy, so don't worry. Just know that they ARE aggressive fish, and will go after other bettas (NEVER buy 2 and put them in the same tank without a barrier between) and will tear up the tails of goldfish or other fish with flashy tails.
Otherwise, try to keep the temperature of the fish tank warm. Bettas are tropical fish, and fish are cold blooded, so your betta will get pretty sluggish if the water's too cold.
Bettas are really great. Go get yourself a 3-5g marineland eclipse system tank. Some fabric plants and a cave or hidey hole. Buy some Hikari Gold pellets and some freeze dried bloodworms.
The eclipse systems have a bio filter and carbon filter. All my bettas are housed in these tanks and they love it.
Best part is I can have small corys and ghost shrimp in the tank for cleanup.
I had a Betta named mouse. He was one of my best friends. They really are good pets to have. They don't require that much care. You'll need:
food (brands don't matter that much although Mouse liked the pellets better than flakes) net bowl water conditioner a plant or rocks (optional but festive) I think that's about it. You don't need to use a filter. Most people don't. My sister uses one, but I don't. It shouldn't make a difference.