BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish New and Confused Betta Parent

1. That sounds about right. I use flakes, so I'm not sure.
2. No. Before we moved we had well water and I never used it and had no problems.
3. Aquarium salt can be used as a preventative with no problem. Doc Wellfish is what I use. It is available at petsmart or online. It comes in a milk carton type thing.
4. Any type of little cave would be good. There is a lot of variety out there.

I'm glad we could help; it can be overwhelming to have a new little fishy. You are a great betta mommy!!

Amber

Thanks for the fast reply! I'll see about picking up some aquarium salt this weekend, and a cave as soon as I can afford it. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I would assume you still need to add dechlorinator no matter what the water source, so I'd say yes to number 2. This woul really be a question for your municipal water officials...maybe start by asking the LFS in that area about the well water.

Would it hurt if I put in dechlorinator just to be sure and there wasn't any chlorine in it?

Since our well is literally in our front yard, I feel like there's probably no chlorine, but I want to make sure.

I don't think dechlorinator would hurt in any case. If you are concerned, use it.

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

Thanks. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Also, everyone, please keep Broadway in your thoughts and/or prayers over his first weekend staying behind while I go home. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Will do!

Good job on the picture! For a great article on Betta Care from veterinarians and aquatic specialist, go to web page and then type "betta care" in the "search box" and a great article on Betta Care will come up. They have over 1,500 articles just on fish so you can learn how to set up an aquarium, cycle it, pick compatible fish, etc. Pet Education.com is a great site that covers dogs, cats, fish, reptiles, small animals, etc. I have seven bettas myself. They like a warm, stable temperature since they are tropical fish (coming from Thialand - formerly Siam - thus "Siamese Fighting Fish"). I think the article on Betta Care will really give you some good information. Here's a picture of one of my crowntail bettas with Swartz cory cats in his 12 gallon Eclipse aquarium.

How far is home for you? You may stress the fish out if it's a long drive. I took my first fish home over Thanksgiving break last year because he was sick, and I think that pretty much did him in. A healthy betta will handle it much better, of course, but if it's only four or five days, he may be just fine in your dorm, provided they don't turn the heat off.

Home is about an hour away, but I know my mom (who will be picking me up for the holiday since I have no car) will drive really slowly if I ask her to. I'd leave him, but they are going to turn the heat off over break, so I don't think that would be a good idea... it gets down below freezing here in the nights right now. So he's going to have to stick with it on the drive home, but at least I know mom will be really careful on the curves and bumps.