BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish Fish Journal - BETTAS ONLY

almost two weeks ago I perchased a beautiful but apparently sick betta that my son named rainbow element,we got him from wallmart,and we only had him for a week when we lost him. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />Raibow spent most of his time at the bottom of his bowl,fins clamped <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> not very active. Having not had a healthy fish,I did not know that the signs he was displaying were of ill health untill it was to late.My son and I have recently perchased a new Betta "Rusty" from a petstore who is doing very well <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />and I can say I hope now that I know the difference between a very healthy and active betta and a sick one that I will notice if something is not right,right away. I am glad that there is a place to seek good advice, from others who know what it is like to worry for our little friends. I hope that all of your sick friends out there are going to be alright, they are lucky to have parents who care. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I was sorry to read about Jalepeno <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> how awful,we are sorry for your loss. Sorry I dont know about candle burning, or white stuff I am too new at this fish parenting. hope someone else can give some good advice.

I would not worry about the white goop. Sometimes I get that...it goes away after I change the water and it never seems to hurt anything.

Thanks Jilly. I think you're right. The "white goop" hasn't seemed to hurt him, he looked fine when I saw him. My sister is very fanatical about cleaning the tank and she said it has come back. I think he's still making bubble nests so I told her it can't be that bad.

I noticed that rusty is darting and brushing up against things <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />. I got some aquarium salt,heater and a thermometer,I also bought some bettafix remedy. I was afraid to put the salt in but after looking at several sites decided it would be okay,I am trying to get the temperature right,but I am unsure if I should try some betta fix for his darting and brushing? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> or maybe something else? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> he doesnt seem to have any marks or white spots,just behavior change.I would apreciate your wisdom.oh his beautiful back tail doesn't seem quite so perky <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />Im a bit worried.

we talked about his rubbing behaviors on your other thread but yes, adding salt is a good thing for bettas.

Rusty has the biggest bubble nest today, <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Horray! He is happy all is well. heater is working great and I feel much more relaxed. How many fish do you have Jilly,and you fishwife? I am already talking to my husband about getting a bigger tank, maybe for our birthdays in August and see if we can get a few tank mates for Rusty. Some smallish fish maybe that swim in a school. Maybe tetra's? What fish have you found work well in the same tank? And how many fish can you have in a medium size tank? Is the rule of thumb one fish per gallon? Hope all your pet friends are well,and building bubble nests too. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I'm glad things are going "swimmingly" with little Rusty.
I only have one betta. Our apartment is not insulated very well and I'd rather not worry about heaters and such with no room for bigger tanks. (Our betta is in the bathroom where there is a baseboard heater, very comfy) My husband acquired a 2 gallon(?) tank set up on the weekend from a friend he helped to move. So while I would like to get a new betta and put him in there, it's only fair that our poor "Sugar II" moves into the new penthouse. I believe that I've heard tetras can be 'fin nippers', maybe someone could back me up on that. Sorry, I don't have answers to any of your other questions.

Hi. I'm new!

My name is Nicole and I'm 17 years old. This Valentines day my boyfriend got me a goregous betta fish that I named Machiavelli. I knew absolutely nothing about taking care of Bettas until I started searching the web and eventually found this site. The articles are very helpful and I can tell everyone really loves their fish. Thanks for making such an awesome site!

Machiavelli is in a gallon bowl-like vase with a fake plant and some decorative marbles. My mom likes to keep our house pretty chilly so I keep him under a lamp on my desk. I got a cheap strip thermometer and have been able to keep the water at a steady 75 degrees, although I'm not sure how reliable that thermometer is.

Anyway, my problem is that I can't get Mr. Machiavelli to eat. I've tried two different types of food with no luck, Top Fin Betta Bits and NutraFin Max flakes. He won't touch either.

Haha, actually I just looked at him and he's floating at the top of his water with one of the Betta Bits that I just tried to feed him right on top of his head.

He seems pretty comfortable in his home, so what's his deal?

seems the site has been a little slow...

well I too must admit that I fell victim to the misconceptions of betta environments and 3 weeks of living in a 750 ml bowl waw enough to get the best of pug my first betta

I kept water changes pretty often but the bowl did not give much ventilation nore did I have a way of controling temperature, I also did complete changes of water at a time

well I felt bad about letting my little buddy pug-fabulous go so I did a little research like I am now and bought a much bigger (yet still very small hindsight 20/20) container thats about 1 gallon in size, got a thermostat controlled warmer (which leads to one qestion) a thermometer and various foods for a well balanced diet, and of coarse, another beta

to keep things short Spot (the new betta) seems much happier in his living conditions that I feel is due to water temperature. however im being told that my heater is too big for the tank. I believe it say's 2 gallon minimum, but it has been working exceptionally well and spot seems to have no concerns traveling to any point of the tank.

can you explain the problem with my setup?

also I noticed in the last day or two that spot has be going to the bottom occasionally, a couple times holding his fins in, is it normal for him to rest like that?

i've learned more here today than any other day i've researched.

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