BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish New and Confused Betta Parent

Yeah, Broadway's showing signs of being really healthy, too. Although he hasn't built a bubble nest yet, but he's only been here for three days. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Thanks for telling me your betta does the same thing! It makes me feel lots better.

Hi Pink. Try not to get obsessive over your betta. They are hardier than you think, but if we worry long enough, we create problems. Then we treat them for non-existant problems, whcih stresses them out, and THAT leads to actual problems. Many of us have over-cared for our friends and actually killed tem with kindness.

it's good to ask questions, but not so good to look for trouble. Don't worry - you will relax and get the swing of it. You will be a great betta parent! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The Big Rule is clean water for everything. Clean Water, a bit of salt if they ARE sick, stable warm temps and healthy food in the right amounts. If you can do these things - esp clean water, you should not have a problem. If you see something amiss, give it a day or two to clear up. If you are worried, spend your energy with a 100% water change.

BTW, I am traveling and able to check stuff sporadically. But there are lots of us here, and that is my goal for this forum: that we all help each other based on our own experiences. Thanks to everyone for all the good work! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the help, Jilly. I know I shouldn't over-worry, but I haven't actually treated him for anything--I figured it was just me. I tend to get that way about things. I'll try to take it easier! I'm sure Broadway would appreciate that too. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

You're doing great! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Heh... yet another question. I just keep coming up with them, the more days I spend with my betta. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> This one won't be a problem for a couple of weeks, but even so...

I'm definately taking Broadway home over the Thanksgiving holiday in a couple of weeks. But "home" means "well water", which he's not used to. What do I need to do about his water changes while I'm there? Won't it affect him a lot to suddenly switch him from tap to well water and back again?

Promising someday I'll run out of questions,
Pink

It should not be a problem. They are pretty good about water types.

Thanks for the quick reply. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Right now I'm really angry! I'm at work, and I work with a couple of people who have bettas... two guys, and they're making me so mad. They're planning to try to put their bettas together and let them fight each other... I'm about to go yell at them severely. That just doesn't sound good at all. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I'm on my way out the door....do not let them do this. That's cruelty to animals. Male bettas are vicious. Fighting males used in cambodia and the like are short-finned, specially hardy breeds (plakat males if you wish to google it) that are carefully watched over during fight sessions and properly healed afterwards. Pet bettas are not made for this and do what you can to nip this in the bud.

I told them to treat their fish better and NOT to do that to them... poor little things, I hope those guys listened to me. That really upsets me. I can't imagine putting my own betta through something like that! If I hear anything else of this from them, they will never hear the end of it from me.

New questions! Yes, I do always come back for more. *lol*

1. Am I feeding my fish enough? I give him, each day, either 3 pellets, or 2 pellets and a freeze-dried bloodworm. Too much? Not enough? Just right? He's trying to convince me to feed him more. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

2. When I take him home for Thanksgiving, and I use the well water instead of "city" water, do I need to put dechlorinator in it?

3. Is it okay to put aquarium salt in the water even if my betta isn't sick? I always hear of it as a treatment, but can it be a preventative too? Is it something I should invest in? If so, where's a good place to get it/what's a good brand?

4. Can anyone reccommend a good "hiding" toy that would fit in a 1-gallon tank and still give Broadway plenty of room? Something small but still effective? Right now he enjoys his fake cloth plant and floating lily-pad, but I think he'd like somthing a bit more.

I think that's all for now. By the way, you guys are -such- a great help to me--thanks so much! I've almost made it through my first week of classes with Broadway here with me, and I couldn't have done it without all the help! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />