BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish African Dwarf Frog Behavior

Thank you for the advise, but I am confused... <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> I thought aquarium salt is for saltwater fish. And I think I have gotten somewhere with feeding Snowy. I dropped a few bites in and turned out the lite. When I came back about 5 minutes later the pellets were gone. I assumed he ate them but they may have floated to the bottom and I can't see them. It is hard to tell when you have gravel. Any more tips on keeping my betta lemme kno.

O and I don't have a heater. He is being kept in about a gallon and a half tank w/ gravel, a rubber plant, and a light overhead. The tank is on a desk in my bedroom away from the window and the light is usually always on. Is there a tiny heater and/or filter I could get him?

BFGirl...

There are some of us here who have been using or have used the "Jr Heater" which you can purchase at Walmart. It's a little 7.5 watt submersible heater.

This heater is supposed to be for tanks between 2 and 5 gallons...but I have one in an "Eclipse" one and half gallon tank. It keeps the water between 82 and 84. I have a female betta in there now and she seems fine with those temps. I do have to keep the plastic front cover off though, because if I have it on the temps reach towards 90 and that is just too warm.

If you do try that heater make sure you have a thermometer in the tank so you can keep an eye on the temps for awhile Until you are sure it will be ok...keep a close eye on it if for a few days if you have your fish in there when you try it out.

Emg <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

BettaFrogGirl,

I was confused about aquarium salt too, but it's actually very helpful for the freshwater fish -- just not snails and ghost shrimp. I killed 4 ghost shrimp that way. :angel:

Jilly can give you more info about why, I just know it perked my bettas right up when I gave them a bit.

Oh...about the aquarium salt....You don't use quite the amount of salt in a freshwater tank that you would put in a marine tank. I think Jilly had a post somewhere that states that all water has some sodium in it...it is like electorlites for your fish. It's good for them and helps to keep bacteria down in the tank.

When I first started this hobby I thought the same thing..."Salt in a freshwater tank???" but really it's ok. The recommended amount for freshwater tanks is only 1 teasp per gallon, some use less, others may use a bit more if they are treating sick fish. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Emg :love:

Thanks for the info, but I am really afraid to add salt. :rolleyes: Ha ha ha. I am just so afraid that it will kill my poor little betta. How helpful is it?

BFGirl...

I use it with my betta all the time as a regular addition to their water. I fill a two gallon bucket with tap water.....add 12 drops of "stress coat" ...5 drops of PH down...and 2 teasp. of aquarium salt to the bucket...then let it sit for at least a day before using it for water changes. My fish are doing fine! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

My brother in law has a 55 gallon tank full of freshwater fish...he uses aquarium salt in his tank all the time...it really is good for the fish! You just want to make sure you aren't using the wrong KIND of salt....aquarium salt is what you want..it will be labeled as such.

But if you really are afraid to use it...you don't have to. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> But if your fish ever become sick..it really does help them to recover.

Emg :-)

Hello again. I have a few more questions. (sorry! Let's not forget I am new to bettas. hee hee hee)

1. I have noticed that my betta isn't very active as my old one (I had him about a year ago and when I brought him home we realixed he had ich and he died 5 days later <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> ) My old fish (Austin) always would swim up to the surface and let me pet him, but this one seems to hang out in his rubber plant, and the only time I think he has ever eaten was when I turned out the light and even THEN I am not sure if he ate it or not. Any information?

2. A little bit ago I said how my betta's tank is set up. Is this set-up fine? Friday I planned on going out to the petstore and getting some things for him and my other fish and frogs (a tank ornament/cave, a living plant, some more fish and maybe some more froggies, and test strips to test the water). I hear Betta Bulbs are good. Are they the best plant for him?

3. As for heating, I just have a light on overhead half the time. I put in a thermometer and it was about 72 degrees. I put a towel around 3 of the sides of the tank to keep the heat in. Is 72 to low and is the towel a good idea?

Hope you guys can answer my questions and I also hope that I am not bothering you.

I posted this in the oto thread, but it was so funny I had to share it here too. This morning, I was watching Flash - the oto - living up to his name in Sweetie's tank. :rolling: Suddenly, the two frogs, Tao and Speedy ganged up on him. They climbed on top of him and held him down on the gravel! <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> Then he wiggled away, and the froggies chased him up the side of the tank and herded him back down where Speedy sat on him. :rolleyes: He struggled a bit, then finally settled down. After a minute or two, Speedy moved off him, but Flash just stayed there. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Frog Pile on the Otto?? <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Emg <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Emg,
ROFLMAO! Yep, that's a good description of it.