BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish First Time Betta Mom

I went to the pet store today. I picked out a Betta starter tank and a BEAUTIFUL royal blue betta with a teal head. He's wonderful. As I type this, he is getting aclimated to his new home. I put some Betta Plus in. I hope he doesnt get sick <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> . Wish me luck <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />


*Will Update*

nice signature there Mega!

he shouldn't get sick if you put just a little aquarium salt in the tank, keep the temp in upper 70's / low 80's, change his water every week or more. you sound like you've done a lot of research ahead of time and that's more than anyone can say for most people that get bettas, let alone a first timer! you'll do just fine! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Thanks, my siggy seems to be true too!
The temp should be fine, I keep a light on him and I finally had a reason to turn up the heat a lil in my room. It is always so cold, since my room is in the basement. He didnt eat much for his breakfast, but I'm thinking the temp might of dropped a little overnight, telling me why he isnt eating. So what he didnt eat, I removed from the top of the water and I think I'll give him maybe 2 pellets at lunch to see if he will eat.

Yes, I did research alot about betta's before getting him. I had to so I could prove to my parents that I knew what I was talking about. I didnt think that I would spend as much as I did though. The starter kit was 12.99 and it came with the Betta Plus, gravel, and a plant. I like that deal. The betta, which I named Tie after my fave hockey player Tie Domi, was 6.99. I bout some extra food, seeing that I live an hour away from the pet shop and might not get back before I run out. The food cost me 4.99 and I got a net for 2.99. So altogether, it was over 38$. But I'm happy.

The first time I saw a betta fish all cooped up in those little cups, I knew I had to get one, so I finally did <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Happy Happy Happy

Mega,

Congrats on your new roomate and welcome to the forum here! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Thanks.
Tie seems to be settling in a bit more but he still isnt eating. I think I will leave his lamp on tonight, just to make sure his water temp doesnt drop much overnight. I gave him one pellet, and a flake and he didnt go for either, so I removed the flake (dont want yuckie on the bottom in the morn) and I left him his pellet for later if he feels like eating. My mom says that it's just probably stress, so Im not going to bother him again tonight. I'll check him in the morning and give him a pellet. Tie is a really shy guy. He doesnt so muxh shy away, but when he sees me coming, he will hide under his little plant. Maybe he likes it. Hope so. I hope he will start eating. I dont want a dead betta here. It probably would of been smart to buy betta fix when I was at the pet store. I live an hour away and only get to town every other week or so. I hope I dont run into any problems like fin rot or ick. Thats more along the lines of my luck too. But I guess we will have to wait and see. I took a couple of pics today. Hope they turn out on my disposable camera. As soon as I get them scanned, I'll have them on here.

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

Mega

Betta are very sensitive to changes...he is just getting used to his new home and his new mom.. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

They are also pretty finicky eaters. If they aren't familiar with what you offer them..takes them awhile to realize it's edible....silly fish...I bet he does fine.

The one thing I would watch is the water temp. If it tends to be colder down in your room..you will want to be sure the temp in his tank doesn't fluctuate too much. Having the light over him helps alot to keep the water warmer but if you turn it off and the temp goes down quite a bit, it could cause him stress. There is a discussion on keeping betta warm which I think you can find on the first thread here. It may give you some ideas as to how best to heat his tank.

Good luck and enjoy! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Thanks.
He has only eaten 2 pellets since friday night. I would of bought the blood worms if they hadnt been so expensive. The flakes are what I think he was fed at the store, but he doesnt seem interested in them. Oh well, he'll come around. He isnt very agressive. I placed a small mirror next to the tank and he took a LONG time to flare at himself. He looked so pretty when he did though. I am leaving the light on at night and he seems more active in the morning, so Im guessing that its a good idea. I want to get a friend for him, but I only have a 1/2 gallon tank <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> . Is it at all possible to get my baby a pet?

You can check out the threads about oto cats and frogs as pets, see table of contents. Get only 1 creature in with him, since 1/2 gallon is not much, and make sure you change water three times a week! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

YAY! Tie is eating. Im a happy betta mom now. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Megabucks,

Congrats on Tie. As he gets used to his new home, he'll get more active and start waving at you. He sounds wonderful, and I have to say, I got live bloodworms recently, and they were so nasty, I flushed them. I guess I was worried about them becoming skeeters.

Nan