Re: Betta advice, please

[Eric Schreiber]

(Flash Wilson) wrote:

>I have a Betta above my desk in a 2g tank.
>I've had him for about three months, and change
>half the water every week. But even just before
>a water change the ammonia readings are only small.

I really wouldn't expect any ammonia readings with regular water
changes in an established tank, especially since you used gravel from
a mature tank.

>He's kept at about 26C, although this is not heated.
>I'm trying to find a heater small enough that I can
>use.

26C is a real good temperature for a betta. You should be fine with
that. If you want to get a heater just in case, though, ThatFishPlace
has a submersible Visi-Therm Deluxe 25W 6.75" for under $15. I've got
one in my 3-gallon Eclipse and it's working fine.

>Recently he has taken to spending lots of time
>resting, and although he comes when I summon him
>for food (either calling, or a tap on the side)
>he just doesn't swim around that much. I'm guessing
>he is lazy but also perhaps a bit too cold, or
>too fed up?

He could simply be bored (do fish get bored?) or getting old. You
might consider getting a matching tank with another betta, so that
they can make faces at each other. That seems to keep them lively. And
you can always use an excuse for another tank, right? :)

>I feed him tetra prima, a few granules a day.

Try varying his diet some. Freeze dried bloodworms, brine shrimp,
pellets and flakes - pretty much anything he can get in his mouth.
That way you ensure he has a better chance of getting the nutrients he
needs.

>I thought a full water change might help?

Your current water change schedule should be plenty, though maybe you
want to try it twice a week to see if that helps any. Doing the whole
thing at once might shock him too much.


--
www.ericschreiber.com

[Flash Wilson]

On Thu, 31 Jul 2003 04:20:46 -0500, Eric Schreiber
> wrote:
>26C is a real good temperature for a betta. You should be fine with
>that. If you want to get a heater just in case, though, ThatFishPlace
>has a submersible Visi-Therm Deluxe 25W 6.75" for under $15. I've got
>one in my 3-gallon Eclipse and it's working fine.

Thanks. Ok, glad the temperature is fine. I should
have added that I'm in the UK, when hunting a heater,
but I'll have a websearch on the one you suggested
just in case I can find it.

>He could simply be bored (do fish get bored?) or getting old. You

Aye, he was an adult when I bought him. The shop doesn't seem to
get anything younger.

>might consider getting a matching tank with another betta, so that
>they can make faces at each other. That seems to keep them lively. And
>you can always use an excuse for another tank, right? :)

Well, considering it's an acryllic tank, the setup including the
fish only cost me 10 UK pounds, which was a bargain considering how
nice it is to have him there while I'm typing away all day. So another
wouldn't break the bank :)

>>I feed him tetra prima, a few granules a day.
>
>Try varying his diet some. Freeze dried bloodworms, brine shrimp,
>pellets and flakes - pretty much anything he can get in his mouth.
>That way you ensure he has a better chance of getting the nutrients he
>needs.

Tried all of those. He will eat a little of the Tetra Delica brine
shrimp from a sachet (and my other fish will happily finish the
sachet) so he gets that very occasionally. No interest in flake,
pellet, frozen or freeze dried bloodworm. I tried him on everything
I've got, before I went out and bought the tetra prima specially :)

>Your current water change schedule should be plenty, though maybe you
>want to try it twice a week to see if that helps any. Doing the whole
>thing at once might shock him too much.

Ah, ok. My only thinking (which I didn't really explain) is
that there might be something on the surface of the water which
stops his nests from forming, or something. I had a small grease
patch showing on the surface a while ago (not sure why) and removed
it by laying kitchen towel on the surface, but he hasn't laid any
more nests since. But it probably is just laziness.

Thanks very much for the pointers. You know, I think the idea
of another one might JUST be what I go for... the bf won't be
happy, but it's my study that he's in :)

Cheers,



--
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)/

[Eric Schreiber]

(Flash Wilson) wrote:

>(B)Louis is still looking unhappy, in fact he was lying down and
>panting after I changed the water, thought the shock might have
>been a bit much

That sounds like more than shock. I'd definitely be looking into
illness and/or old age.

You might try the Bettamax product from Aquatronics. I don't know if
it really works as they advertise, though my betta responded well to
it. It's supposed to treat poor appetite and listlessness, as well as
the usual assortment of mild maladies.


>Incidentally, this time in the shop, they were all in small
>divided sections of a glass trough. I chose one which was lively
>and had made bubbles. Last time, they were brought out in plastic
>cups and it was hard to make a choice on anything but colour.
>So I'm hoping Rubens at least will be well and happy!

Unintended side effect... now *I* want to get a second betta. I rather
suspect my wife won't find the suggestion amusing, unfortunately.


--
www.ericschreiber.com

[Flash Wilson]

On Thu, 31 Jul 2003 17:49:08 -0500, Eric Schreiber
> wrote:
(Flash Wilson) wrote:
>
>>(B)Louis is still looking unhappy, in fact he was lying down and
>>panting after I changed the water, thought the shock might have
>>been a bit much
>
>That sounds like more than shock. I'd definitely be looking into
>illness and/or old age.

Yes, he's always been fine, happy for any intervention in his tank
as long as it's *me* doing it. When my friend fed him for a week he
was really unhappy when I came back!

>You might try the Bettamax product from Aquatronics. I don't know if
>it really works as they advertise, though my betta responded well to
>it. It's supposed to treat poor appetite and listlessness, as well as
>the usual assortment of mild maladies.

I've never heard of it, but I'll look it up and give it a try.
I've found esha2000 to be a cure-all (within reason) and the
water conditions seem fine but if there's something specific for
Bettas it can't hurt. Thanks.

>Unintended side effect... now *I* want to get a second betta. I rather
>suspect my wife won't find the suggestion amusing, unfortunately.

Actually I thought it would be boring having two similar tanks with
similar fish in there.

(B)Louis has come out to flare at Rubens a few times and it's pretty
interesting to watch them both and compare their behaviour. So, um,
can you squeeze in another one?

My bf grudgingly said "It's your room" when I asked him. He returned
that evening to find the new one installed, and didn't believe I hadn't
already got it when I canvassed his opinion! I'm just quick to the shop ;)

--
Flash Wilson
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Still collecting Electricity Pylon photos - please send me yours!
- http://www.gorge.org/pylons

[Eric Schreiber]

(Flash Wilson) wrote:

>>Unintended side effect... now *I* want to get a second betta. I rather
>>suspect my wife won't find the suggestion amusing, unfortunately.

>So, um, can you squeeze in another one?

I don't know. I prefer to keep bettas in a minimum of one gallon. Not
sure if I've got any horizontal surface left in my office that's big
enough. Then, of course, I'd also need a horizontal surface, such as a
couch, to sleep on until my punishment was over :)

>My bf grudgingly said "It's your room" when I asked him. He returned
>that evening to find the new one installed, and didn't believe I hadn't
>already got it when I canvassed his opinion! I'm just quick to the shop ;)

When a ruling is in your favor, act on it quickly. Don't give them a
chance to change their minds!

--
www.ericschreiber.com

[Flash Wilson]

On Fri, 01 Aug 2003 03:23:44 -0500, Eric Schreiber
> wrote:
>>So, um, can you squeeze in another one?
>
>I don't know. I prefer to keep bettas in a minimum of one gallon. Not
>sure if I've got any horizontal surface left in my office that's big
>enough. Then, of course, I'd also need a horizontal surface, such as a
>couch, to sleep on until my punishment was over :)

*grin* Yep, mine are in two 2.25g tanks. I wonder if I'd be allowed
to have one at work, when I get another office job? I suppose it
would only work in a small office where everyone knows not to touch.

Anyone have a fish in their office?


--
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|___/ |___/ |___/

[Donald Kerns]

Flash Wilson wrote:

> Anyone have a fish in their office?

You betcha. I've had bettas, goldfish, and am now hosting three pygmy
corys...

I'm currently contemplating a larger planted tank to keep the overall
maintenance down...

-Donald
--
"When you've lost your ability to laugh, you've lost your ability to
think straight." -To Inherit the Wind

[Cam]

> Rubens is settling in well. (Yes, he's red.)

And Rubens takes poll losition.......GO...GO...GO..........
LOL....Good luck with your bettas Flash, I can never seem to keep thos guys
alive!

[Kelly]

Flash - I was just wondering if you noticed your crowntails lose thier
finnage, I have 2 adult males and the eldest has hardly any of the long
flowing fins left, I have bred him twice, I am currently breeding the 2nd
and am noticing that they are starting to curl on him as well. I have 2 baby
crown/pintail males as well and they dont exhibit this at all, is it
something that comes with age, breeding, or does it happen to yours? I
hardly find any info on crowntails on the web, and these are my favorites.
Thanks
Kelly

"Flash Wilson" > wrote in message
...
> On 08 Aug 2003 06:45:17 GMT, TYNK 7 > wrote:
> >>LOL....Good luck with your bettas Flash, I can never seem to keep thos
guys
> >>alive!
> >
> >Bettas are very hardy fish.
> >However, a lot of bogus info has gone around lately with them.
> >There are directions given with some of them when purchased as a vase
gift,
> >that say you don't even need to feed these fish, that they eat the algae
off
> >the Lily plant's roots!
>
> I've never seen them sold with vases in the UK... is this a USA
> thing? I've heard all the controversy of course, but I've only ever
> seen bettas in purpose built glass trough things with dividers for
> each fish, or else one in each communal tank in the store.
>
> >Many shops get in poor quality stock too. There's been a craze for Bettas
> >recently and it's not doing so good for these wonderful fish.
>
> Mine seem to get a range of colours - red, blue, turquoise and mixed,
> but never any of the more interesting colours, and all veil or crown
> tail.
>
> >Some stores get in nice stock, so it may be as simple as changing stores
and
> >you might have better luck.
>
> If only. There's only one store here I'll buy from, the others
> have dyed fish etc. And kittens, which is even harder to see :(
>
> --
> Flash Wilson
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