 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
transposed from another thread: does styrofoam and a heating pack really cost that much? Actually, yes, because the person putting all this together has to be reimbursed for ordering the shipping supplies (time, travel and materials), then for driving to a shipping place, then for shipping costs, plus a little extra on the side to make all that effort worth it! It's not a lucrative business. If your local shop doesn't have the fish supplies you want, then you will have to special order it, get it online, or substitute. Also, about fry: you will only get about 50 eggs from a spawning, but you still have to be ruthless about culling. If you are not comfortable with feeding the 'rejected' babies to adult fish, then you really are looking at homes for that many betta babes. And only a dozen or so will really be the kind of strong specimens you will want to keep breeding. Blah, blah, blah. I don't mean to dissuade you from bredding - it's fun! Go for it, when you get a true green male, but wait awhile is my advice. Go to a betta show, pick up the perfect male for your little green girlie (he will have to be as young as possible), and make sure you have everything you need. learn everything you can about bettas first. :music:
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Jilly Wow...do you really feed the rejects to the adult betta? OOooo....I can forsee problems with this with my daughter...she wouldn't like that at all ! Ah well.....hhmmm, have to give that some thought and talk it over with her. I have been really studying my little green...checking her out and all for signs of healing and anything else that may come up in her condition. I've read that "forest green" bettas are hard to come by...I don't know if that is what she is or not...but she sure is a very dark definite green all over. I don't see any sign of another color on her at all except for the red on her little feeler fins. (not sure what those little "arm" fins are called) I wonder if she was all beat up because she had been bred before being sent on her way to Walmart. Who knows....Thanks Jilly for your helpful advice about breeding bettas. I will certainly continue gathering information and ..looking for a nice green male. Even if I decide not to breed, the challenge of finding one will be fun. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I will try to find a betta show nearby..I don't have high hopes of that though..but I can still glance at what I find at the local fish stores around...who knows what you will come accross at those places. Emg2 :rolling:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
Good, I am glad you are having fun learning and looking for the 'perfect green'. I did think you have a rare green girl - no one I can find has one. I don't understand where Wal-mart got one. Maybe your theory is correct. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Most 'greens' are really turquoise, or green-with-blue, or mixed normals.
Also, here is a good opportunity for you to talk seriously with your daughter about the cycle of life. Fish, and not just bettas, are pretty ruthless. Everything ends up being food eventually, and even the biggest predators re-join the cycle after their deaths.
The male betta does a wonderful job caring for fry, until they get big enough to confuse with food. Cichlids are the BEST fish parents, and I really really recommend you go for them when you've got more experience with fish. Cichlids are intense and colorful and fascinating. Biologists believe they ar the most highly evolved fish, and their parental care is not to be missed.
Anyway, another time, another obsession. When you are ready for one big tank (instead of delightful little ones cluttering up every horizontal space), ask me about cichlids.
:angel:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Jilly, Hahaha...I got a good laugh when I read about taking up every horizontal space...so true ! I did have a chat with my daughter about feeding the culls to their parents...she looked at me rather seriously and said...."As long as you don't do it when I'm around"....Haha.. THAT's ,my girl ! very practical ! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I'm afraid right now with all I am spending on the bettas...it's going to be awhile before I get that 36er I have been eyeballing. The guilt is setting in...haha...but you see, since I have already bought the filter for it...I just HAVE to get the tank now.....Hope the price doesn't go up too much before I get the chance ! :angel: I would be interested in checking out any kind of fish. Have to fill up that tank with something big enough that you would notice it in there ! I would really love to do something with saltwater tropical...those fish are gorgeous ! However, I don't think I have the courage..or the right size wallet for that at this time. I was talking to a fella at a fish store...said he went through about $1,000.00 worth of fish the first year..before he got the hang of it. Brother, either salt tanks are really hard, or he was just your typical guy...haha...throw it in and see if it swims ! :rolleyes: Anyway, I enjoy our back and forth here..very informative and interesting ! Typing away in this forum helps me to work off some of this passion. I have noticed however that my posts are generally a bit long winded..haha... <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> Emg2 :love:  P.s. about my green...if she really is such a rare find, seems a shame not to breed her ! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> If I find a nice green male and get some nice green babies, maybe we could swap...green for a white ! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
We could certainly swap babies! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I've answered your marine question in a new thread about large tanks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 37
Newbie
|
|
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 37 |
just a quick question..
whilst breeding... how do you know when the male and female are done? i've read that its over when the female is way away from the nest and the male is all agro towards her..
is that pretty much it?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Kei, Everything I have read about breeding says that when the female swims away from the nest and the male starts acting aggressive towards her..is the time to take her out. But...I have never yet bred any bettas so I can't say from experience. Hopefully soon that will change... <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Emg :beamedup:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 37
Newbie
|
|
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 37 |
yeha i read about it too... and thats what i also read.. i'm just curious though, whether the female releases all of her eggs before the male goes after her.. breeding seems to be interesting and hard work.. alot of prep and money i suppose.. i really want to try it too.. just something simple like a long tail and a regular female.. i came across the australian betta web page and they've said that a pure black betta is very hard to come across and breed.. and then they had stuff on crown tails and split tails and deltas... think i better do more reading.. good luck with the breeding <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
yes, take the female out when the male starts getting weird to her. Then he will care for the fry for a few days, until suddenly he starts thinking of the babies as food, so then HE"S got to go, too.
I picked up - believe it or not - a BLACK combtail betta, from Wal-Mart, last Friday. He's gorgeous. What they were doing with a combtail is beyond me. And black! - black body, hints of purple irredescence in a ray on the caudal fin, and a lacy combtail.
I am so excited. I am wondering about breeding him to my white girl, although she is reserved for Gandalf the White.
Blacks are hard to breed since the melano strain is a lethal double recessive. So I will have to play a watch and wait for new females to appear in the local fish shops (LFS).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
Kei, the female might have more eggs, but you'll have enough frlom the first spawning to keep you occupied.
I would breed any old normals though. That's a lot of babies to find homes for, plus the mating process is very stressful on the parents.
If you are going to go for it, find the best possible specimens, do your reading, and then go for it. It may take some time to find what you want to breed, but the hunt is what makes this fun.
With my black male, I can either try to keep the black strain, or mix it up and go for the combtail. Or try to keep both, accepting that the melano trait is exceedingly difficult to keep going.
I love that we are all over the world, but still sharing our betta love each day! Gotta love the Internet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Wow Jilly
A black combtail? Geesh..I'm going to have to check Walmart out more often...seems for some reason they get some good ones now and then.
Now...is a combtail the same as a crowntail? I don't think I have ever seen a combtail.
Emg :beamedup:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Kei, There is a good site for information about breeding bettas...I went to the site and copied the info into my documents for future reference. It's a step by step explanation of everything from setting up the spawning tank, the spawning process, dad's care of the fry, how to care for fry and even how to make cultures of infusoria for your fry. Lots and lots of info ! www.bettasrus.com Have fun ! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Emg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589
Gecko
|
|
Gecko
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589 |
I found a bland, boring brownish gray female at WalMart last Thursday. I kept her home over the weekend because I forgot to take her to work Friday. On Monday, when I put her into her new tank, I noticed an iridescent turquoise, red tinge on the tips of her fins. Then she saw Pinky next door in the other tank. Wow! She turned a deep red/green with stripes! She has an egg showing on her underside, and so yesterday, I decided to introduce the two. Her stripes changed from horizontal to verticle, she was pursuing him, and he was frantically building his bubble nest bigger.  However, after a while of them being together, I noticed she was down on the bottom of the tank, looking a bit beat up. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> So I fished her out of Pinky's tank and put her back in her own. Low and behold, both fish began swimming back and forth along the tank walls closest to each other. They continued this for quite a while in the afternoon. I destroyed the bubble nest when getting Sweetie out of his tank, and so he's rebuilding a new nest. He takes periodic breaks to go swim along the side and flare at her. I thought I'd wait until tomorrow at least before putting them back in together. If I choose not to breed them, will her being full of eggs hurt her??
Hi, my name is Nannynan, and I'm a betta addict.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
fantastic, nan, on the female coloration! They show colors when they are not stressed, so you are doing well for her! She sounds so pretty. Add a pic if you get a chance...
She will be fine with the eggs, if you don't mate her. Fish don't have to spawn, they just seem to want to!
What you are seeing under the anal fin is the tip of the ovipositor, not an egg. But that may as well be the same thing. If she looks very distended, she is full of eggs, or 'ripe'.
I would not recommend mating them unless you do a lot of reading and have quite a bit of time on your hands to do it properly. It's very stressful for the girl - she gets really ripped up. The boys are abusive in courting and can even kill her if she's not strong enough. She must be fed live food for awhile beforehand, to get her ready for the ordeal.
Congrats on finding a nice female though!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589
Gecko
|
|
Gecko
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589 |
I think I hear Marvin Gaye in the background singing "Let's Get It On" :music: Pinky and Sweetie have been romantic since early this am and show no sighs of stopping yet. It's quite beautiful to watch. Pinky curls himself around Sweetie crosswise and she then releases about 25 eggs. Pinky dives down to catch them in his mouth and put them into the buble nest. Sweetie helps in between their encounters. If all these eggs hatch, I'll have hundreds of fry - Yikes!
Hi, my name is Nannynan, and I'm a betta addict.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589
Gecko
|
|
Gecko
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589 |
The information I read about betta behavior is totally true so far. Pinky is an excellent Daddy Fish. The bubble nest was too far from the light/heat source, so over the weekend he moved it and the eggs to the other side of the tank. They've hatched, and he's vigilant, grabbing them in his mouth and putting them back into the nest if they swim too far away.
In fact, I gave him some food, and he spit it out to rescue a baby. They are keeping him hopping, so to speak, it appears that he has at least 100 fry in the tank, and they're trying out their fins. :beamedup:
Hi, my name is Nannynan, and I'm a betta addict.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Nanny...that sounds so incredibly neat ! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I have read at a site somewhere that the Dad will not eat while he is tending the kiddos. In fact it was suggested not to feed Dad during this time as the food would just foat to the bottom and rot....not good for the little ones. But, not ever having experienced breeding bettas....yet....I can not speak from experience. Nanny....have a great time raising those babies...tell us how they are doing and post a pic if you can ! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I'd love to see them ! Emg :rolling:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589
Gecko
|
|
Gecko
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589 |
At the moment they look like a bunch of gnats in water. Pinky looks exhausted this morning. I guess the fry kept him moving all night. I was just watching, and one was swimming around the water, starting to resemble a fish - fins are developing. Fortunately, Pinky is still spitting them back into the bubble nest. I'm probably going to take him out later today or tomorrow to give the babies time to develop a bit more. I have no idea what I'm going to do with 75-100 baby bettas. 
Hi, my name is Nannynan, and I'm a betta addict.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589
Gecko
|
|
Gecko
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589 |
I guess I waited too long to get Pinky out of there, there are no babies left that I can see. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I pulled him out when I realized he was chewing and not spitting out the babies. But I don't see any swimming, there are black dots in some of the bubbles, but I don't think they're alive. :angel: Well, that's one experiment I don't intend to repeat. Broke my heart. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
Hi, my name is Nannynan, and I'm a betta addict.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
Oh no, Nan! I am so sorry. I don't know if you got my post that I was out of town. I just got back and I am heartbroken to hear about your little ones. It's part of the cycle of life, though, no matter how hard that can be. In fact, I got back from my trip to find my beatiful, prized black combtail dead. I still can't believe it. I was so excited to breed him to Blue Girl. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
This can be hard, but don't let it dim your enthusiasm for caring for these wonderful fishes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589
Gecko
|
|
Gecko
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589 |
It was upsetting to go from him being a terrific Daddy fish to eating the fry. Once I realized the fry were dead, I put him back into his tank, and he immediately started building another bubble nest. I just wish I'd captured that one cutie developing fins before Pinky did. <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
Hi, my name is Nannynan, and I'm a betta addict.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Wow Nan Sorry to hear about those little babies ! What a disappointment ! Don't let that discourage you...I am sure anyone who tries this has a few letdowns before getting it right. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Welcome back Jilly ! We missed you here. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I am sorry to hear about that black you found...dang ! What a disappointment. I'm still hunting down a green...no luck yet. Emg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
Nan, I wish I'd been back and up to date to tell you to take out Pinky as soon as the fry start swimming. That's when they look like food instead of babies to an adult male.
This is actually an okay thing that happened. Please don't take offense here, since the babies basically went back to nature, which is part of the cycle. But you would have had to deal with infusoria, and then brine shrimp, and eventually culling and a grow-out tank, more culling, then a tank for females and many jars all over your house for young males, who get aggressive pretty quickly as a rule. Culling is very hard to do, but necessary. And the babies in their fry tank need very very specific conditions so their growing labyrinth organ forms correctly - that's a very crucial time and very easy to kill them if the slightest cool air reaches their little noggins.
Anyway, as I said, I am sure you would have managed this, but it's a very demanding experience and would have been more traumatic if you lost them at a later time, after they were older and you got attached to each one.
I hope I have not horrified you here, or anyone else reading this. My goal is to help everyone keep their fish as you would a housepet - given the best conditions, to live the longest possible lives, and interact with them joyfully. With the technology we have now, aquarium fish can live decades! That's so amazing. And bettas can live well for three years with good care - some even longer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589
Gecko
|
|
Gecko
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589 |
Ok, so I found 2 babies swimming in the tank with daddy - Pinky. I guess the fact that they mated for so many hours has something to do with that. I managed to fish out one of them into a small jar, but now I'm stymied. I can get some algae water from our dog's bowl (he hasn't been drinking from it!). It was out in the rain and now is growing green stuff -- is that the stuff I need? It's pretty stagnant.
Pinky's bubble nest extends across the whole top of the tank now. I'm thinking I may find a few more babies in the next day or two. Yikes.
Hi, my name is Nannynan, and I'm a betta addict.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Nann I think I would keep the little tykes in that tank and fish Daddy out...put him in a smaller bowl. If there are live plants in your tank there most likely will be that infusoria that the fry need to eat. Infusoria are tiny little living things that generally are found on plants. We can't see them but the fry can. But I would wait and see what Jilly says first..she knows for certain...I have never bred bettas..yet..I only read about it ! Emg <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
well, I am very happy to hear you have some babies left! Try the algae stuff, since you didn't have time to prepare infusoria. Do this: Shine an intense beam of light, like from a flashlight, into the algae water, away from the green part. If you see cloudiness after about a half hour or hour, you've got micro-organisms. Use a dropper to put them in with the babies (did you get both of them?). Then shine that same light in their fry tank(use the bigger tank), which needs to be kept very warm (at least 82 F). The light will keep the protozoans in one spot, since they are phototropic, and hopefully the babies will also be atracted. If you don't have protozoans, please run to your petstore ASAP and buy pre-made infusoria. Don't get brine shrimp just yet, that's for older fry or when you are sleecting the strongest specimens frmo a group of hundreds of spawn. I hope I am making sense here. keep the tank warm and cover the top well to prevent drafts. We will take it further as we go, okay? It shoudl go fine - if these fry made it so far, they will probably go far. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
this is wild, Emg, we both posted at the same time!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589
Gecko
|
|
Gecko
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589 |
I only got one fry out, Pinky is still in the bigger tank, he's guarding the huge bubble nest he's got. I can't tell now if there are any eggs/fry in there, but he and Sweetie are sure doing the flirtation dance. When I took Pinky out before, he got really agitated, and so I put him back, and he calmed down, and went back to his nest. Sweetie is in her own tank getting BettaFix Remedy daily -- Pinky chomped her tail, there's a perfect fish mouth hole there. But her white spot is back -- I can't remember what you called it Jilly. oviposture?? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> And her colors are getting darker again. She seems to like the spider plant baby I put in her tank. And baby is still hanging in there, swimming in his cup. I put a little bit of the stagnant water in there this morning, and he/she seemed very happy. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I just spotted the other baby in Pinky's tank. Pinky is ignoring it. Woo Hoo! They are like specks, so it's hard to tell if it's a baby or a spot on the tank at times. But they both are moving!!
Hi, my name is Nannynan, and I'm a betta addict.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
JIlly...I noticed that ...about posting at the same time...but, I got in first ! <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> Emg <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589
Gecko
|
|
Gecko
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589 |
I've named the babies. The one in the cup is Speck, the one in the big tank with Pinky is Spot. I suspect the names will change as they get bigger, but I have to call them something besides baby. :love: <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Hi, my name is Nannynan, and I'm a betta addict.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589
Gecko
|
|
Gecko
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589 |
I've named the babies. The one in the cup is Speck, the one in the big tank with Pinky is Spot. I suspect the names will change as they get bigger, but I have to call them something besides baby. :love: <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Hi, my name is Nannynan, and I'm a betta addict.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589
Gecko
|
|
Gecko
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589 |
Stupid computer operator -- can't blame the computer for my triple posts. Sorry about that!
Hi, my name is Nannynan, and I'm a betta addict.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Haha Nann.....I've almost done that myself a couple of times. Emg <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
YEAH !!!! I finally got some java moss ! Picked it up at a local aquarium store. Probably paid more for it than I should have, but I have been trying to find this for so long, I figured...what the heck. I also picked up a sponge filter for a 10 gallon aquarium...I am on my way to setting up for a breeding tank ! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> All I need now is a heater and a tank! (and a green male for my little green) I figure I will set the tank up and just let it cycle...with the java moss in it. Perhaps that will allow lots of infusoria to grow. Probably need to put a fish in too. Jilly, am I missing anything? I did pick up some brine shrimp eggs...but could use some info as to the best way to go about hatching them. There isn't a whole lot of info on this package. I think it will be awhile yet before I actually try this, want to make sure I know what to do and just what exactly I am getting myself in to.. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Emg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
oh yeah, Jilly How do you know when your fish is in prime condition for spawning ? Or...when they aren't ? Emg <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
I just realized something.....I have a pineapple plant in a vase...that I have had for YEARS ! I just bet there are lots of little infusoria growing in THAT thing ! The water sure looks full of something. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Emg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
I have a breeding tank all set up. :rolling: This is what I have... A 10 gallon tank with hood and light..only thing concerning me there is that there is no glass seperating the lights from the water, just a slim plastic shield thing !! Didn't notice that when I purchased the hood. I only have the tank half full for now, but I think I should get something there before I actually use this tank for fish. I have a 5-15 gallon submersible heater that I bought at Walmart and also a sponge filter I picked up at a local Aquarium store..same place I got my 2 new crown tail bettas <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> ..(post about them in the 'rate a fish' thread) I have two decorations in there for the female to hide in....one a plastic job that goes with the log in my blue females tank...and the other is a piece of driftwood that came with the java moss I bought. I placed the heater horizontally in the middle of the back of the tank..close to the bottom. I put the sponge filter on the front of the tank. It's a "BioFoam" filter. Can't explain how it actually sits in there..but I have the filter part horizontally accross the front of the tank,near the bottom...sort of accross from the heater with the bubbler part towards the back so the current washes towards the heater and hopefully goes around the tank. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> My attempt at being logical and aquarium smart..haha. The decorations I have on the other end of the tank away from the heater and filter. My guess is that I would need to put something living in there to get the biologic thing going..now, which one of my bettas do I use as guinnie pig..hhmmm. I do plan on plopping in that java moss as soon as I get the heater all fixed up and adjusted properly..and check to make sure it is working right. I also have added the usual stuff...water conditioner with stress coat, PH down and aquarium salt. One thing I was wondering Jilly...I have read that fungus is a concern with the eggs..would it be wise to put a dose of bettafix in the water as well, to discourage that? I realize that with 4 gallons of water in there that would be alot of bettafix...is there something else I could use..or do I even need to worry about that? Well, that's all I can think of for now as far as my setup goes. If anyone has any suggestions or ideas, I would love to hear from you ! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Oh Yeah ! I do have 2 thermometers in there as well..one on each end of the tank in front. I have been questioning the acuracy of these thermometers at times, figure if I put two in there and they read about the same..it should be ok. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Emg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589
Gecko
|
|
Gecko
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589 |
Speck didn't make it. And I can't find Spot. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> I put the filter back on in Pinky's tank, and he and Sweetie can flirt all they like. I'm not up to the task of being a betta grandma! <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
Hi, my name is Nannynan, and I'm a betta addict.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Nan I am sorry that your first try was so disappointing. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I can't blame you for not wanting to go through all that again. Maybe someday you will feel like giving it another try. Emg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Well, my breeding tank is busy cycling. I have got everything in there I need ...I think...and I am just letting it run for awhile and make sure the water temp is stable. Won't hurt to just let it go on cycling...I will post a picture of my setup for Jill or anyone else to critique <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I haven't really made up my mind who I will try to breed with whom <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> I only have 2 females at present..a blue and a green. I would like to find a green male for my green female, but that is proving to be a bit difficult. I found a site which sells some pretty green males from what the picture shows....and they are only about 3 or 4 dollars each...but shipping is about 27 dollars ! As badly as I would like to have one of those...I can't pay that kind of shipping for just one fish...or even two....and I sure don't need more than THAT! I'll just have to keep hunting. The other possibility would be my blue female with my new crowntail steely blue. The one with the dragon at the rate a fish site. That blue female has no red on her at all that I can see and she looks like she has a comb tail instead of the fantail that my other female has. Of course, being petstore bettas you never really know what you will get..but hey..have to start somewhere ! :rolleyes: Emg :beamedup:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
Speck didn't make it. And I can't find Spot. I'm sorry to hear that, Nan. But it sounds like your betta couple is happy together, and that's really nice to hear.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
The other possibility would be my blue female with my new crowntail steely blue. The one with the dragon at the rate a fish site. That blue female has no red on her at all that I can see and she looks like she has a comb tail instead of the fantail that my other female has. I would go for breeding the combtail trait. Fantails are a dime a dozen. Steel is dominant over dark blue, so hopefully you will have a nice batch of comb, or even crowntails (best possibility)in steel blue. Yes, keep the red coloration out of there. Red in the ventral feelers is not a good quality if you want a show fish. Red is the most dominant trait and not worth much (unless you can breed perfect extended crowntail reds). I am breeding two reds right now for the crowntail and extended red trait. Big bubblenest, but the girl doesn't seem to be into it. The boy is very peaceful, so he might not be bullying her into action. I also found a doubletail turquoise girl - at Wal-Mart, of all places! I think I will breed her to my honey betta next.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
Well, my breeding tank is busy cycling. I have got everything in there I need ...I think...and I am just letting it run for awhile and make sure the water temp is stable. Won't hurt to just let it go on cycling...I will post a picture of my setup for Jill or anyone else to critique While your tank is sitting there, you might want to try getting a bacterial colony started, with the hamburger technique. Do you have a water testing kit?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
How do you know when your fish is in prime condition for spawning ? Or...when they aren't ? boys are always ready - six months to a year is their prime time. Girls need some live food to give them quality nutrition reserves for the ordeal, plus to create a nice healthy gut of eggs. A ripe female will have a very rounded belly, will have the white tip of the oviduct sticking out (looks like an egg, on the underbelly), and might even have some vertical stripes going. Not horizontal stripes, which indicate stress.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
I figure I will set the tank up and just let it cycle...with the java moss in it. Perhaps that will allow lots of infusoria to grow. Probably need to put a fish in too.
yes, you can cycle it with a fish, instead of hamburger. If it has a filter, try a platy (the one you are getting for Sara's tank). That is a perfect cycling fish. If you are not running a filter, a paradise fish is also good. They are impossible to kill. As far as infusoria, you need a separate container, since this needs to sit in the sun until it looks gross. try a mason jar, and get a dropper. A piece of lettuce is all you need - let it sit out until goopy!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
I have a breeding tank all set up.
This is what I have...
A 10 gallon tank with hood and light..only thing concerning me there is that there is no glass seperating the lights from the water, just a slim plastic shield thing !! Didn't notice that when I purchased the hood. I only have the tank half full for now, but I think I should get something there before I actually use this tank for fish. The plastic is fine. You will also need plastic wrap - a good quality one.
I placed the heater horizontally in the middle of the back of the tank..close to the bottom. I put the sponge filter on the front of the tank. It's a "BioFoam" filter. Can't explain how it actually sits in there..but I have the filter part horizontally accross the front of the tank,near the bottom...sort of accross from the heater with the bubbler part towards the back so the current washes towards the heater and hopefully goes around the tank. My attempt at being logical and aquarium smart..haha. It's better to make the heater a bit on the diagonal, helps with circulating. Keep the heat up to 82 or even 85 for breeding. The sponge filter is pefect. I like how this system is going! The decorations I have on the other end of the tank away from the heater and filter. My guess is that I would need to put something living in there to get the biologic thing going..now, which one of my bettas do I use as guinnie pig..hhmmm. You got my suggestion about the platy? I also have added the usual stuff...water conditioner with stress coat, PH down and aquarium salt. One thing I was wondering Jilly...I have read that fungus is a concern with the eggs..would it be wise to put a dose of bettafix in the water as well, to discourage that? I realize that with 4 gallons of water in there that would be alot of bettafix...is there something else I could use..or do I even need to worry about that? Don't worry about fungus, just keep the water quality high with careful water changes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Ok....so I need plastic wrap besides the hood? So it really needs to be tight huh? Will do ! As far as the heater...how is the quality of those 5-15 gallon submersible heaters from walmart? So far according to the thermometers I have in there it was staying pretty much at about 83 (one reads 82..the other 84) but just today it started to go up as far as 86. (put this all together on Sunday evening...3 days ago) This heater doesn't have a specific setting, just a + and - on the knob...so I have to wing it. I also feel suspicious of these thermometers..sometimes the water just doesn't feel like it is 80 degrees.. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> but hey, what do I know. I guess as long as both thermometers are reading about the same...it should be ok. they are two different kinds by the way. I will be going to the PetSmart tomorrow after work as my daughter lost one of her algae eaters. Don't know what happened but it looked like it had a hole in it's side with fungus growing out of it (gasp) I took it to the store and showed it to the "aquarium expert" there and he said it looked like an injury, not to worry about the rest of the tank. I wonder if it impailed itself on one of the ghost shrimp feelers?? Have you ever heard of that happening??? Anyway, when I bring that one back I'll pick one up for myself. So far so good I guess..oh, by the way....just got that 5 gallon tank that I won on ebay ! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Now I have to figure out what I am going to do with it. I already rearranged stuff on my computer desk for it...heehee, so much for my husbands plans for that thing ! (meaning..the desk) :rolleyes: Emg :rolling:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
the heaters should not fluctuate too much if the setting is left alone. My favorite heaters are by Tronic. trust the temps, though, if your thermometer readings say everything is okay.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589
Gecko
|
|
Gecko
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589 |
Emg,
One word of caution, I bought plecos to go in my betta tanks, they and the bettas died. The two are not compatible, bot are aggressive, the plecos at night, when the bettas are trying to sleep, and the bettas in the day. I don't know about other types of algae eaters. . .
Hi, my name is Nannynan, and I'm a betta addict.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
I agree about plecos. plus, they get monster huge. Stick to corys and oto cats.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
These aren't pleckos..they are something else. I meant to write down the name today when I went to replace the one we lost..but I didn't. I know the name started with a "C" that's all I remember. They are grey on top with a dark horizontal stripe on thier side and white underneath. No whiskers. The "fish expert" at PetSmart told me they don't get very big...they sure do eat algae though !
Emg :beamedup:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Jilly My brine shrimp hatched...now what do I do with them ? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Actually, I posted in another thread (or maybe it was this one?) that I had put just a small amount of shrimp eggs in a container with an airline in the water. Just to try this out before I actually need to have them. I figure I'll let these grow out a bit and feed them to my adults...but...do you have to feed these things anything and does the airline need to stay in the water with them ? I took that out when I noticed I had little shrimp. Emg <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Jilly, Glancing through the sites at my "betta genetics" search I came across a place with some pretty good info, along with an email to ask genetics questions...so...I emailed about my green and even sent him a picture. His suggestion was to breed her to a steel blue,(which the one I have isn't really a true steel blue,but hey, use what you have) That would give me all blues...then breed siblings from that batch to each other to recover 25% greens. Then breed green to green. Does that sound like a good idea to you? I did mention to him that my bettas are all mutts and not from good stock. So, who knows what will come from any of them. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> It may be interesting however. Emg <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Emg <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
This is a good idea if you are interested in breeding at least three generations of spawn. personally I would simply wait til you can find a nice green boy. it's more fun to be in the "hunt" mode anyway. tell all your local shops to call you if a green comes in (this is how I just got my second yellow..the first is a honey, and this one is a pale yellow...I wish I'd seen that yellow girl you did!!!).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Well, my brine shrimp all died...well, except for the ones that I put into another cup. They are doing great and growing. (wish I had put more of them in there) I think what happened was that the water evaporated and the salt level went too high. The ones in the other cup were not in the extra salty water that I had made to hatch the shrimp. Just the regular water that I use to refill my tanks. Think I'll start up another batch and hopefully they will grow up enough to make a nice morsel for my fish. I'm still wondering what it is you feed these things <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Emg <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Jilly...about that yellow.. She was very pretty, and such a nice color yellow. I wish I had known you were looking...I wonder...how much trouble is it to ship a fish? I have plenty of boxes and styrofoam around (my husband is a computer geek and constantly getting boxes and stuff in from FedEx with computer stuff) I would just need to know how to pack em up and how many heat packs to put in there. I have been saving the bags that I get when I purchase new fish. (yeah I know..what if they have a disease..but so far I havn't run into any probs,and you wouldn't have to worry about that with bettas, since you can't keep them together anyway) I wonder if we could start looking for each other?and do some swapping? Just a thought... Emg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
You know, I am sorry, the shrimp question got lost in the shuffle. Yes, keep the airline tube in with them, and keep adding water, which you figured out already. Feed the dead ones to your fishes, a great treat. You can freeze your extra and thaw them as needed.
About the swapping - sounds like a plan. Overnight is the best, and a heat pack is only needed if the weather will be nippy anywhere in the transit (right now, that's a given). We can start a thread on shipping if we do this, and maybe other folks will want to play too!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
That sounds like a good idea Jilly ! Have to figure out shipping costs and all that...since I have just about all the packaging stuff I need..boxes..styrofoam..peanut stuff..I wouldn't have that expense...just shipping costs and a heat pack since I live in New England and spring isn't quite here yet. In fact, we are expecting about 6 to 10 inches of snow tomorrow night. (X-P) (need a discust graemlin here!) I know that yellow isn't at PetSmart anymore..as I showed up there again only 2 days after seeing her the first time <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> but I will keep a look out. Emg :rolling:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
Sounds good, Emg. I will keep a lookout for a green. WHat color green are we talking - forest? Everyone, here's a really good article on betta breeding: http://www.petsforum.com/cis-fishnet/afm/G29047.htm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Yes Jilly..a forest green as I believe that is what color my female is. She is a dark and definite green color. I have seen plenty at the fish stores that look a bit green but are really more blue with green irridesance. If I can get picky...I woulnd't mind something with some interesting finage..like combtail or crowntail.. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I will check out PetCo again on Thurs. and see if they have any more yellow females come in. Wish I had picked up that last one, I think you would have liked her. I noticed last week that most of the stores I went to had these purple or dark blue colored bettas with mustard yellow fins. Pretty interesting color combination, but I really wasnt that enthused about them. Neither was my daughter. :rolleyes: I wonder if all these stores get thier fish from the same place? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Emg :beamedup:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Well, I now have my teal couple in the breeding tank. Mrs is in the hurricane lamp while Mr gets the roomier setting. So far Mr doesn't seem to awfully interested. He swims up to her and flares but doesn't hang around too long. I wonder if I should have let him hang out and get to know his surroundings first before I put her in. We'll see how it goes for a bit. I can't tell about her...she is so light bodied that I can't really see her stripes...horizontal OR verticle. But she did go head down a few times and seems to be interested in him. Emg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Jilly.. I have my two teals together in the breeding tank. (she is in the hurricane lamp) The male seems interested in her and has been trying to make a bubble nest..but the bubbles keep popping. Now I have the temp set so that it hovers right around 82 degrees...I have plastic covering the top underneath the hood and there is lots of condensation in the tank..so the air is humid enough. Could soft water make it difficult for the bubbles to stay ? I know that my water tests a bit on the soft side...if so, what can you do about soft water? and do they really need the bubbles in order to spawn? Emg <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
Don't worry about your boy - he will figure it out. it may take a few days to get that proper bubblenest, which will be high and mounded. Have patience. I think they will make gorgeous babies! CAn't wait to to hear and see how this goes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589
Gecko
|
|
Gecko
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589 |
The bubble nest is essential. If there's no nest, there's nowhere for the eggs to go. I'm not sure if the water being soft is responsible for the difficulty with the bubbles popping. Pinky got better at it when he realized he was gonna get to be a daddy fish. At first the bubbles were small and sparse, then he started putting more effort into them, as well as more size. If I ever get them available, I'll send photos of what the nest looked like. He was one busy fish there for a while.
Hi, my name is Nannynan, and I'm a betta addict.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
Hi Nan. Looks like we were simultaneously posting! LOL
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589
Gecko
|
|
Gecko
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589 |
Jilly,
I figured I could use my experience for some benefit! LOL
Hi, my name is Nannynan, and I'm a betta addict.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Just to let you know how things are going with the breeding attempt. I have taken Mr out of the hurricane lamp. I had the Mrs in there at first for a good while. Let her out to see what would happen. Mr just kept trying to take a chunk out of her so I put him in the lamp and let her roam for awhile. I kept them like that for a day. She kept swimming up to the lamp and the two of them would swim side to side and he was trying the bubblenest..(still not much to brag on).. I let them out together today because they both seemed interested. He wasn't attacking the side of the glass anymore when she swam by and she was spending more time hanging out with him. Those two are funny...when she is interested, he just wants to chase and bite her....when he is interested, she just wants to admire herself at the side of the tank and pretty much ignores him except to get away from him when he swims by. One thing though..I have yet to see her even try to nip at him. She seems very tolerant and is quick as lighning when she needs to be. I don't think she is impressed with the few bubbles he manages to keep. She will swim over to where he is trying to make a nest..then quickly swims back to look at herself in the glass. I still wonder about that and why his bubbles don't seem to hold. I hope he gets the hang of it before she gives up on him. Emg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
They are so cute - sounds like Junior High courtship...LOL. Emg, keep the girl in the hurricane until your boy has a high mound of bubbles. Leave her there until he's got it down. Patience. Put a floating piece of styrofoam, like the top quarter of a cup, and he can make the bubbles agianst that, or have a choice of using some plants as an anchor. Or not. These guys have their own minds. Styrofoam peanuts are good too. make sure the heat is high - 82 minimum - and that there is absolutely no current or bubbler on. This part might take a few days or a week, and when he's got a good nest, slowly lift the hurricane (so you don't break the nest. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Ah, love....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Thanks Jilly for the advice. I'll put her back in the hurricane. Right now I give this guy and "F" in bubblenest ! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Poor girl is giving him every signal she knows that she is ready and willing..he keeps chasing her away, then trying to bring her back with his snakey wave thing...then chaser her away again. I think he is embarrased by his lack of nest....He should be ! Haha.. Only thing is..he isn't eating much and that concerns me a bit. He is too busy chasing her and trying to make bubbles. How long can he keep this up and be ok to take care of the fry? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Emg Emg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
He probably won't eat until he's feeeling a little more confident, and then still he might not want food. Don't be alarmed - he can go a week or even two and be fine. That's a predator for ya. Temp him with tubifex worms or brine shrimp if you are worried, but don't allow uneaten food to foul the bredding tank - a big no no. And siphon out all food wastes each day. Add slime coat conditioner each day just for safe side - all that stress is bound to wear away his coat.
trust that he will figure out the nest - you'll wake up one morning and it will be picture perfect.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Ah ! Thanks about the advice about the slime coat addition..hadn't thought of that. I do take about a gallon out each morning and replace it with water from my 5 gallon tank..which doesn't have any fish in it at present except for green in her bowl with bettafix...and...the new steel blue combtail female I picked up today at walmart for my steel crowntail male... :angel: :rolleyes: The reason I take the water from the 5 gallon tank is because the temp is a very constant 82 degrees and I don't have to worry about warming it up. Works great ! So much for actually putting any FISH in there !! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> His nest is looking a little better since I added the bottom of a styrofoam cup in there. I had a cup in earlier but I had it cut lengthwise so it had a opening out to the tank. I think having it closed in like the bottom of the cup does..is much better...eliminates any movement from water or the air. I picked up this stuff called.."Tetranature's Delica whole bloodworms" They are bloodworms in a "nutrient-rich gel". I was going to give them a try and see how my fish like them. Maybe they will tempt Mr Teal. SHE's eating just fine and getting bigger with eggs all the time ! I hope this clutch isn't tooo big ! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Emg :rolling:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Well....the Mrs. is releasing her eggs and eating them...Mr still doesn't have a nest to speak of, what he got going this morning is pretty much gone..wasn't much to begin with actually. Even he is looking a bit fed up. His fins are more droopy now and he has disappointment and frustration written all over him..poor fella. What now? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Is this one of those "failed attempts" ? Not too disappointed if it is seeing as how it's a first try and all. Won't put me off trying again..now that I have a nice female for my steel blue crowntail... <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Be waiting to hear from you Jilly...wondering if there is any reason to keep trying these two at this point. Emg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
huh, just wrote you a long reply and I don't know where it went. To sum, give the teals a break. Little boy might figure it out next time. Start raising temps and conditioning (with live food) your blues.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Darn Jilly, sorry I missed your long reply...I love reading this stuff here ! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Well, I have retired both Teals back to thier tanks. Of course now I have the Mrs. in the 5 gallon tank, so I guess I won't be able to use that for water changes in the breeder tank... I have done a 50% water change in the breeding tank and have rinsed off all the items I had in there. I have the male steel in a bowl in the breeding tank to keep him warm and being in a bowl is easier to keep his water clean and feed him without getting foodstuff in the breeding tank. I also turned the sponge filter back on. The steel female is in a bowl in the 5 gallon. She has a touch of fungus on her probably from the change from walmart to here. I have been treating her with bettafix. As far a live foods...all I have are the fruitflies and the brine shrimp. I also have that new stuff I picked up the other day..the bloodworms in that gel. They look pretty fresh (if not gross!) when I put them in there and the fish love them. Along with the Bio-gold betta food..should that be enough to condition them up on? I am thinking that feeding a bit 3 times a day is good....am I right? thanks for all your help Jilly ! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Hoping this time around I'll have better news to report. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Emg <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
You're doing it right, about the conditioning. Skip the pellets and just do live food. the girl should grow a big belly full of eggs, and store up some energy for her coming ordeal <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> The boy will also perform better if he's at his peak of health. Temps around 82-85 will also bring them to breeeding condition - the higher the temp the better. yummy worms in that gel!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Haha..Yeah about the worm gel. They are all benefiting from it as I need to use up the packed in 24 hours. Needless to say, I don't hear any complaining. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> The only thing about that stuff is that it is messy. Especially in the bowl that I have the female sorta steel in. They love that stuff so much Jilly...that they jump right up out of the water when they see it coming ! Surprised me the first time that happened. Too funny ! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Jilly, I Have a question about that octocat I have in my breeder tank.... He's making quite a mess in that tank for one little fish. Lots of little octopoops on the bottom...should I keep him in there or should I take him out? I have been trying to keep it cleaned up but when the eggs are there I don't want to disturbed the peace anymore than I have to. Are his droppings going to harm the conditions in there much...or do they help with the balance? I do have the java moss in there and the sponge filter on (which will be turned off when I introduce the pair to each other) I plan on introducing the two starting Thurs. this week. Mr Steel is looking pretty buff...and the Mrs. is looking ripe and ready herself. That new marble I picked up will be a nice match for her too..if Steel doesn't work out. I'm conditioning him up too just in case. I am still looking out for that yellow for you. I am going to the place where I find all these neat crowntails. They get thier fish in on Friday nights and I want to be there when they come in! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> It seems all the females are gone by Sat. mornings. Emg :beamedup:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
thx for looking for a girl for me! And yes, take the oto out - he only eats algae, which doesn't mess up your breeeding tank - algae is not unsantiary, just unsightly. A cory cat would do you better for eating wastes. Put the oto in a tank where you have algal issues. How is your steel girl fattening up? Lots of eggs? Vertical light bands? Big ovipositor? 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Ok...Oto is out...tank is all clean and sparkly. I have put the male into the tank...he's looking VERY nice! I do hope he doesn't get too beat up in this process... :rolleyes: but I guess that's just the way it is with these fish. The female is all striped up (verticle) in fact, she was the day I brought her home! She has a nice ovipositor showing, though I am not entirely sure how filled up with eggs she is yet. My teal girl wasn't very bloated when I put her in the hurricane...but she sure filled up fast as soon as she got a look at the Mr. I am thinking, I have fed these two up very nicely on brine shrimp,live fruit flies and that nasty bloodworm gel stuff at least 3 times a day (sometimes a couple more)for almost a week....I don't think I will feed that stuff to them during this spawning as it sure dirties up the water. If I do give them anything it will be the bio-gold pellets. They float nicely and can easily be picked out if they don't eat them. The thing I am trying to figure out is...how, once you have fry, do you go about cleaning and feeding them without having the lid open too much and bringing in that nasty cooler air? Emg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Well, I have put the female in with steel. Seeing them together makes me realize what a nice pair they really are! That male is nuts though! He does these 'hit and run' passes by the Mrs. It's pretty funny actually. He swims over to a corner and hangs there awhile...then he slowly creeps up to about 6 inches of her in her hurricane...then he FLIES up to the glass and waves around like a flag in a stiff wind...looks like a raving lunatic! Then he shoots back over to his corner where he recovers...I guess...from his fit of courage..HAHA! Too funny! It seems this one can't seem to keep his bubbles together any better than the last one...but he's only just starting out so I'll wait awhile longer before I grade him. Teal failed big time with an F- ! Hope Steel does better than that! Emg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
Do what you can about the feeding of the fry and warm air issue. There's no perfect solution.
I'm glad your new couple seems to be hitting it off. make sure your breeding temps are at least 82 - 85 would be better.
You won't need your sponge filter until you are growing out the kids, FYI.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Thanks for the info Jilly....my pair are now spawning! :music: Funny thing is....the bubble nest he managed to produce..is more like one big bubble. All the little bubbles he made grew together. And it's not even that big..just under the bottom of a styrofoam cup. They seem to be managing ok though. The eggs are staying up there and I guess that's what matters. I give him a "D+"...maybe a "C". <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Emg :beamedup:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
Your little dudes may not be the best bubblenest makers, but steel poppa sounds like a winner! I am so excited to hear about how the babies come along. Did you get any pix of the spawning embrace?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
So far Jilly, I'm not sure how many will actually hatch. They seem to spend most of their time on the bottom of the tank. As hard as Pop works to try and keep them up there...everytime he puts a few in there about 10 more fall out ! Poor fella <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> But, MAN...talk about protective! I had to stick my finger in there once to fix something..I think the heater when I let some of the water out so that he wouldn't have to work so hard running back and forth picking up eggs....he ran over and bit my finger ! Haha! What a great dad! :love: I hope some of these hatch out ok. I am curious to see what colors they are. I also am really looking forward to trying my piebald with my steel girl...or a female piebald if I find one <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I do hope that my fish learn to build a respectable bubblenest! I still wonder if it is something about the conditions in the tank, but I can't see what it could possibly be.. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> And..yes...I did get a few pics of the pairing. I think I may have one or two that came out ok. If you want I can post the best one, but I have soooo many pictures on there already I am feeling a bit odd about posting many more... <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> :rolleyes: Emg :rolling:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
Is your water naturally soft, or is it SOFTENED? Big difference. If you are adding sodium ions to replace calcium ions, this could be a problem with the bubblenest. or not. I'm sorry - I don't really know, since I have hard water. But GUESS WHAT!!? I found a gorgeous yellow female!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am very excited. Weeee. Plus a mustard gas girl for my mustard gas boy, and a strange orange female that I need to think about what to do with.... <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Neat Jilly, on the females !! I am glad you found one! About the water...it is naturally soft. The only thing I add to it is the aquarium salt, conditioner and PH down. Hey !! I see little fry Jilly!! Very exciting! Not all the eggs have tails yet (I can see them as they float down to the bottom of the tank :rolleyes: ) But a few of them do. That would be...about 36 hours from beginning of spawn to fry. Does that sound about right? Now I have to start getting together stuff to feed them with. I believe it is about 2 to 3 days before they need to be fed..is that right? I do have a jar of infusoria going, been going for a couple of weeks now. Just put some lettuce in a small mason jar like you said. I used the prepared tank water to soak it in. Looks good and cloudy. I plan on putting the java moss under the fry after I take Dad out. Then putting some infusoria right in the moss with the fry. The moss should help the fry stay up near the surface perhaps, where they can get air, not to mention maybe help the infusoria stay viable. I plan on leaving the light on all the time. The heat from it will help the air stay warm and moist I think. I worry about letting the water level down too much as I am not sure what the heater will do with less water. Should have tried that out beforehand..but hey, can't think of everything! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Hey, this is fun! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Emg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
I have been wondering if I shouldn't take Dad out at this point and lower the water level even more. I see some fry are trying to swim from the bottom up to the top...some make it, some don't. I don't know if that is considered large enough for Dad to decide to snack on or not. I can see that some of the eggs are getting close to becoming fry. Oh dilemma dilemma! If I wait till morning Dad may already snack on the strongest ones! If I take him out too soon...I may loose even more! <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> I'll let you know in the morning what I end up doing...it's already almost midnight here and I have to drive to the dentist tomorrow morning. Emg <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
this has to be your call, since I can't see what's going on. I would think morning would be better to remove him, so more developent occurs, but yes, he might eat the first ones to look like actual fish. It's kind of a balance, but do take him out before most fry start swimming around. If he is still returning babies to the nest, you're okay, but this can change at any moment. Good luck!
Funny. With my guppies, I don't worry about it at all. usually three make it for each batch, whcih is fine with me and I don't mind the live snack the adults get. My Endler's tank is different though, since I am actively breeding them to help keep the species going.
Oh, forgot to mention this to folks earlier, but if ANYONE EVER sees an albino betta (that means no color and red eyes), buy him and as many of that batch as you can (the trait might be hidden in the brothers too). The hobby keeps rediscovering and losing the albino strain..and then we all have to wait for a random mutation to come up again. melano blacks are also a challenge to keep in the gene pool, but for different reasons (the female melanos don't breed).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Yeah, I went to bed after posting that last one ...left Dad in the tank overnight. Came downstairs as soon as I woke up and checked on the family. At first I got concerned as there weren't as many eggs on the bottom of the tank! What few were there weren't moving. I thought "man, he started eating them!" But, he was still returning eggs/fry to the nest (yeah RIGHT! if you want to call it that :rolleyes: ) and I had alot more little fry swimming around..all over the place! I watched dad for a bit as it didn't look like he was eating any...I spent the time contemplating the pros and cons of removing him.....then I took him out. I was concerned about the dead looking ones on the bottom. Most looked like undeveloped eggs, some seemed to be fry that got tired of the trip up and down. I siphoned some more water out so they wouldn't have such a long trip to the surface, and I also siphoned what looked dead from the bottom and put them in a bowl floating in the tank. I figure if some were alive they would have an easier time getting to the surface in there. If they were dead they wouldn't foul up the water. So! The adventure continues! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> :music: Now to be able to figure when it's time to start feeding these little danties! I can see the yoke sack...I actally did put some infusoria in the java moss...never know when some are ready to eat before the others. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> I'll keep ya posted! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Emg :love:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Um...Jilly...need an answer for this one.... I have just noticed some strange very very tiny little wormy looking things in my breeding tank..crawling around on the side of the tank. They are WAY small, smaller even than the fry. I am surprised I even noticed them, but I was pressing my nose against the glass (practicaly) trying to get a good look at the fry, when I noticed them. Are these something to be concerned about..or is this a good thing..food for the fry when they are big enough to eat them? I don't see that they are bothering the fry in any way...I will go crosseyed for good trying to watch them, they are so small! Can't imagine what they are or how they got in ..except possibly when I put that little bit of lettuce water in the tank. I'll be waiting to hear from you ...I have more fry in this tank than I thought!! Emg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
Hi, I've been camping. I couldn't tell you what the worms are without seeing, but I would guess nematodes. I think they should be harmless and maybe even food, but keep an eye on them just the same.They must have come in on the lettuce. let me know if your fry eat them. how many babies you got going?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Wow! Camping! I haven't been in so long! I bet you had a great time! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I was thinking that those wormie things might be nemotodes too. They look pretty harmless so I'll just keep an eye on them like you said...but...jeesh! are those things really crawling all over my salad?!! (ACK!) This could very well mean that there really IS no such thing as a true vegetarian! Gad!! what would the vegans think!!!! (GASP!) I have NO idea how many fry I have...they are all over the place. It would just be my luck that they ALL hatched and will do fine! I have already been advertising around for folks who would like a betta fish. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Another issue. I bought this stuff called "Small Fry" by Wardley. It is supposed to be liquid food for all baby fish. Well the yolk sacs looked like they were diminishing some so I thought it might be time to feed them. I first put one drop in the small bowl that I had put the eggs I siphoned off the bottom (they are now fry) and when I checked them this am they looked like they were doing nicely. Thier tummies looked fuller than the fry that are in the tank so I figured this must be good stuff. Well I put some in the tank water...now it is all cloudy! There are no directions on the tube of stuff that say anything about cleaning out what they don't eat (in which case at this point I would have to empty the whole tank! ) Sooooooo....now what do I do? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Emg :beamedup:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Well, what I did do about the cloudy water is...I took the level down to about 2 inches of water....then refilled it with the warmed water from my 5 gallon tank. I then turned the sponge filter on for a bit and that helped. After the water cleared up some I turned the filter back off as it was drawing the fry towards it and I was afraid of them getting stuck on it.(don't know if that could actually happen, it's a pretty mild filter but they are sooo small) The tank looks better, still a bit cloudy but I am going with the notion that the cloudiness is infusoria..which is good, and I am not going to worry too much about it. Came home from a meeting late..after 10pm..checked my fry and they seem to be doing just fine. I was worried there for a bit. I put some lettuce water in the bowl in the tank and also amongst the java moss I have in the tank. I managed to get some brine shrimp in there as well (used the same tubing :rolleyes: ) I can see that the fry are indeed too small to start feeding on brine shrimp yet..but the shrimp are also too small to feed on my fry <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> so I guess it's ok for them to be in there. I'll just be sure to suction them out if/when they start dieing and littering the floor of my tank. Emg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
Hi Emg, all sounds well to me. the cloudiness is just infusoria, so no worries. You can use a beam of light to bring all the protozoans to one area, and it will attract the fry as well. So, the eggs yo siphoned up became babies too? very cool. You are going to have bettas up the wazoo <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Jilly... No Kidding! Actually, I am looking forward to seeing what colors I get and how many are crowntails. I must have at least a hundred of them swimming around in there...and they must be getting plenty to eat or they would all be dead by now! It's fun watching them zip around after thier food...It'll be nice when they actually start looking like fish! By the way Jilly, what do you do with all your baby fish after a spawn? Emg :rolling:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
I keep the ones I think I want to breed (keep track of their linnage - mother, father, everything to work on the traits you like)...and then have to make decisions. You have to decide on culling. If there are deformed or weak fry, these can be fed to other fish, or euthanized. No one can make this call for you, but it is generally considered humane in you drop them in cold water with ice cubes in it. Or find them homes, or keep them. Then the leftover healthy babies: try your local fish shops and see if they will buy them from you, or at least take them in. make sure they are old enough to be sold at that point, since the LFS (local fish stores) won't have the time to care for fry; instead they would just use them as live food for their bigger fish, which may or may not bother you). Your other options are: pass them out to friends and neighbors as gifts with a card with this forum link on it (so they can learn to properly care for them)...sell them on ebay....or keep them all. Hope this helps. If they are healthy, there is no reason your LFS won't buy them. Just take whatever they offer as a small recompense for your time. After all, you got the fun of raising them plus maybe a few good breeders or show fish, and they get nice hand raised local stock. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589
Gecko
|
|
Gecko
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589 |
I'm so jealous!
Emg the fry sounds great! Perhaps I could do this again since they are at home. but first I have to get heaters for the tanks.
Hi, my name is Nannynan, and I'm a betta addict.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Oh Nanny....DO try again!! I have made up my mind that I am not taking any losses too hard. I love these fish and enjoy taking care of them but...they are fish. I learned my lesson long ago about getting too attached to things (long story)...It is a fun learning process and Jilly is great with all kinds of information and encouragement! (thanks Jilly! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ) The best part I think will be when I finally get to see the colors! It could be anything really, since I have no idea the lineage of any of my fish at this point. I am sooo looking forward to trying my piebald and the new opelescent little girl I bought this weekend. She's very pretty. Thanks Jilly for the advice about the fish. I will do the best I can to find homes for them..I do intend to try out the local fish stores. I am sure they wouldn't mind taking some off my hands. I actually had a thought of turning this hobby into a ministry...for elderly folks in nursing homes. They are so lonely and really need someone or something to care for that depends on them. Fish are easy and you don't usually run into "no fish allowed" rules. Not only that, it would be an excuse to stop and visit these lonely folks regularly...to see how thier fishies are doing! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Emg :love:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589
Gecko
|
|
Gecko
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589 |
Emg,
What a wonderful idea. I know that when my grandma was in a nursing home there was nothing there to pull her out of her memories. Having something living to care for would have made a big difference to her.
Nan
Hi, my name is Nannynan, and I'm a betta addict.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
Emg, I think that is fabulous! What a giving person you are. I am worried about whether or not the bettas will get fed correctly, but underfeeding, to a point, is better than overfeeding. Also, will you be able to clean out the mulm and change the water for them on a regular basis? I only have a concern because among my tank service clients is a nursing home with four large saltwater tanks - and I just found out that NO ONE EVER feeds them!!!! The poor fishes have been surviving by pecking on the algae that I don't scrub off. I was horrified to discover this. Since I go twice a week for these tanks, at least the fish are getting something in the way of nourishment now - from me, when I feed them myself!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
Emg and Nan, it's true that having something to care for is a very powerful healing tool, whether you are dealing with loneliness, physical disability, mental instability or terminal illness. I think bettas would be a great tool, and studies have absolultely proven the tension and blood pressure relieving effects of fish and aquaria.
therapy dogs are indeed a blessing, and why not therapy bettas?
maybe we should start an charitable organization for betta therapy!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Yeah, all these things I have to work out and consider before I take this on. I imagine I would commit to at least a once a week visit to check up on the folks and the fishies to make sure everyone is getting on ok. I can't think of a better way to do something useful with this hobby..to justify all the "moola koo koo cha cha" I am spending here... <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Emg :rolling:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Jilly ! What a NEAT idea! Fish are so much easier to take care of than a dog. Of course you can't really cuddle with them but they have thier own rewards. Wonder if we spread the idea to other betta organizations it might take hold. Of course Jilly, this means that we need to get moving on the "perfect betta tank"..to ease the care of these wonderful fish and make sure they have comfy clean homes. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Emg <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
Hmm, the perfect tank. Do you think the Aquascene, or some other combination to recommend? I like the 2.5 gallons glass or acrylics, myself, with a separate hood light and jr. heater, but this runs up a higher price tag than a simple aquascene. Catspeaks has a nice thing going with her 10 gallon, but many people won't be able to do that. And the smaller bettahex or bowfronts are only good for people dedicated enough to change the water at least once a week. So, what do you think is best for betta therapy?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Well....for now I would have to say the aquascene only because the bubbler helps to keep the water clearer and the smaller size is probably better for folks in nursing homes. They don't have much personal space in those places usually. Not to mention the warmer water from the light. Emg <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
I think you are right about the aquascene, plus it's very affordable and a complete set-up. The Ministry of Betta Therapy seems to be coming along nicely <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
My husband thinks your idea is a fantastic one, and very compassionate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
I'll let you know when I actually get this going. It will be awhile as I have to wait for my fish to grow up some.. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> A church that I have been visiting has a ministry for the elderly already started....would just have to float this idea past them and see what they think. I can't forsee any problems. By the way..the new pic of my marble "Jax" is up..have you seen it? Sorry, I can't help it! I just think this guy is way cool..he looks like he is wearing a tuxedo, white bib and all! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Emg <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
I think so too Jilly <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I really like this fish! I want to spawn him and make even MORE just like him! (haha) I had a suggestion from a fella I emailed who calls himself "The Ole Dragon" his first name is Phil. He has a website he calls "BettaCave". I wonder if you know this fella Jilly...I guess he's a regular at the IBC betta shows...has lots of trophies. I sent him a picture of Jax and he said he would match him with a steel female..(which I happen to have! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ) My next big decision... oO(steel/Jax...or...opaque/Jax ?? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> ) Ah well...back to my fry. I just started to feed them very small brine shrimp. It's fun to watch them hunt them down and suck them in...(do I have too much time on my hands? an uninteresting life??) They seem to be doing very well and the water is nice and clear. I am wondering when I should do a cleanup of the bottom. Don't want to disturb things in there if I don't have to. I may give it a little sweep this weekend. Emg :music:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
I'd still go with the opaque, but this is your call. Steel is a dominant trait, so you will have a lot of bettas that all look alike if you go blue with blue, instead of going for a variety of unusual traits. It depends on what you want. Most hobbyists groove on solids color bettas, but I keep trying to get new, unusual strains going. You might lose the piebald face with the steel girl, but at least you won't have a lot of mutts - which is what you will get with my preference! personally, mutts are more fun, IMHO.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Hey Jilly... Do female bettas build bubblenests? You remember that real pretty blue "female" I said I had....well...SHE has made herself a nice bubblenest! :rolleyes: That's the one I said I wasn't sure if it was a girl or boy..perhaps it is male afterall. He/she has been making eyes at my green female (they are next to each other) and now...bubblenest! HHmmmmm.... Sooo, there really isn't anything wrong with my water afterall...just have to send blue over to the other boys and have him/her give lessons! He/she is really a pretty fish, just doesn't have the larger fins..oh well. Emg :rolleyes:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
maybe it IS a boy. Do you see any ovipositor tip?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
I thought I did at one time Jilly...but no..not like the other females...and they have all been getting fed well, so I would think with all that good food if blue was a female she would be swelling some..ovipositor and all. But, nope...sooo seems logical to assume she...is a he. Guess this means I should move him away from Green... Emg <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
I have started up another breeding tank.. :rolleyes: oO(what on EARTH is wrong with me!!) Maybe success first time around isn't such a good thing after all Nanny.... <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Anyway, it's looking pretty good. I took the drift log and the java moss out of the fry tank as it just gets in the way when I am trying to clean it. It will be easier for the fry to find the shrimp without it too I think. I also have put Patriot in the new tank, as he has been looking a bit uhappy lately and seems to be having trouble staying on the bottom. When he props himself in his cave he sort of kilters to the side...figure he needs some warmth and a bit of room. He has that whole 10 gallon to himself along with the moss, drift log and plastic log decoration. Also there is another live plant in there too, don't know what it is though...but it looks good and healthy. Patriot looks better already! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Boy, wouldn't I like to have ALL my betta in 10 gallon tanks!! Emg :rolling: :rolling:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
I know what you mean, Emg. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I just got a 7 gallon acrylic at goodwill and put my new crowntail mixed male in it, by himself. He looked so good in there all alone. Then I had to spoil it by adding three cute platys...but they all tolerate each other just fine, even tho the betta sulked for a few days.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589
Gecko
|
|
Gecko
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 589 |
Emg, You're going to end up worse than the families sitting outside the store with a box of kittens if you keep up the breeding! I can see it now, Emg and daughter sitting in front of <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> Wal*Mart saying, "Ours are hand raised, and for the same price as their sick ones." <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Hi, my name is Nannynan, and I'm a betta addict.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
ahhhh, that's very cute, I had to laugh out loud...I can see it too ('ours are hand raised' - precious!) <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
You know Nann...you might just have something there!! I'll have to give that some thought! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Actually, I found a site that does Betta consignment..if you can imagine that! But..they don't take veiltails. I do hope I get alot of crowntails out of this spawning..it may help them move to new homes a bit more quickly. I can see I may need to look into packing material...anyone here want a betta ? Emg <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
I won a small shipment of reusable heat packs on ebay, Emg, and I see they are selling another lot. Might want to do a search <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Thanks Jilly, I had seen those on ebay before...and had considered bidding on them, but how long do they stay warm? Long enough for an overnight shippment? Emg <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
|
|
OP
BellaOnline Editor Highest Posting Power Known to Humanity
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392 |
yes. you can always email the seller too for his thoughts on how long they last.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
|
|
Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781 |
Well, came to a decision on another spawn....think I'll wait on it for awhile. I can see that my fry tank is getting a bit crammed and the fry are starting to become a tad aggressive at feeding time. I have already raised the water level in the tank to almost full. If I put half of them in the other breeding tank...maybe I'll be able to keep them together a bit longer...and put off having to clean a bunch of seperate jars...for a little while anyway. Ah well...Jax will just have to wait is all. Perhaps after summer is over or at least until I find homes for the ones I have. Makes perfect sense! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Emg <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We take forum safety very seriously here at BellaOnline. Please be sure to read through our Forum Guidelines. Let us know if you have any questions or comments!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This forum uses cookies to ensure smooth navigation from page to page of a thread. If you choose to register and provide your email, that email is solely used to get your password to you and updates on any topics you choose to watch. Nothing else. Ask with any questions!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
