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#7599 12/24/04 12:45 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 95
Amoeba
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Amoeba
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 95
I just got my first Betta fish the other day as an early Christmas present, and I am a little concerned about a few things.

He seems to be happy in the tank he is in, there is a little cave for him and two artificial plants and still plenty of room.

I am not home a lot of the day, and I worry about him always being in the dark. Is this okay?

I have been feeding hime freeze-dried bloodworms. I am going to go within the next two days and get some other food such as frozen brine shrimp,plankton, and so on.

My main questions here is how much should I be feeding him ad how often, and how often should I do a water change? I got him on tuesday night. I already have to change the water because my little sister put way too much food in there today and I can't fish all of it out. I will most likely do a 35-40% water change. Also, I fed him tuesday night, wed. at noon, wed. at 10 pm ish, and my little sister fed him around 3:00 pm tday. (est)

My boyfriend has a cichlid tank, so I know of no one who can help me with "Squishy" so I appriciate all of your help. fish

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#7600 12/25/04 06:50 AM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
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Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Hello BG...welcome to the forum here and to the world of "Betta addiction"..lol !

"Squishy"..I love it !!
Those foods you mentioned are great for an occasional treat, but for daily feeding you might want to pick up some betta specific food. I feed mine Hakari Bio Betta Gold..two pellets once a day. It doesn't sound like much but they do fine with that. You have to be careful about overfeeding a betta as they are prone to constipation and swim bladder issues if they get too much. I like the bio gold pellets because they float and you won't have to worry about them sinking to the bottom and getting lost. It doesn't hurt them to fast once in awhile either. Some folks pick one day of the week where they don't feed thier betta. Helps them to clean out their insides.

As far as being in the dark, I don't think that bothers the betta much. They actually prefer shadowy places..but..lol..since you aren't home much I'm sure he wouldn't mind a companion in a tank next to him to keep him company.. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I know my fish enjoy each others company and it keeps them very active having someone to make faces at when they get bored.

I have most of my betta in a 1 gallon "Aquascene" tank and I do 5o% water changes at least once a week, sometimes more. I always have water standing in buckets all ready to go. I don't know what size tank you have, but it's a good idea to make sure the water is nice and clean as these fish are prone to finrot...and that can be hard to get rid of as some of us have found out. :rolleyes: Of course that's the males...I don't have ANY problems with my females..lol.

Hope this helps you out some BG. Do browse through the threads here and enjoy reading about all our exploits with these neat little "water puppies" this has really turned into a betta specific fish forum..lol. they really are an addictive little fish... <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Also BG..visit the "rate a fish" page and get a look at some of our little buddies. There is a link to it on one of the first threads here. Jilly is making up a calendar and the monthly "winners" will be featured in the pages...lol..we get to vote on our favorites.

Enjoy your new friend BG..and do come by and tell us how he's doing. Would love to hear from you ! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

#7601 12/25/04 11:43 AM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor
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HI Betta girl and welcome to the forum!

answers:

it's fine for a betta to be in the dark. that actually replicates their murky rice paddie environment in the wild. keeping from temperature fluctuations is the main thing.

Emg is right about how bettas like stimulation, so a betta in a tank next to him would do him good, plus you could go save another little life!

Emg's food and cleaning advice is right on too. let us know if you have any more questions. Merry Christmas!

#7602 12/28/04 03:29 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 95
Amoeba
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Amoeba
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 95
As I said in the Betta journals page, Squishy is not doing well. He is not eating, and he is not swimming. I am going to the fish store tonight to get a heater, I think that is the problem.

#7603 12/28/04 07:47 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
Chipmunk
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Chipmunk
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,781
BG...I left a post for you at the betta journal thread.

I believe the problem has to do with the PH adjuster you added to his water. I would do a 100% water change and leave the PH stuff OUT.

Betta fish are fairly tolerant of PH differences as long as you take your time conditioning them to your water...by adding a little bit of your water at a time to the water you bring them home in.

Set up your tank and float the cup you bring them home in in that tank. Wait at least 15 minutes for the water temp to adjust then start adding a bit of the tank water into the cup...a little at a time. Take out some of the water from the cup if you have to and just dribble a bit of tank water in.....wait a few minutes and dribble some more. The slower and more careful you are with this, the less stressful the adjustment will be.

This should take care of any PH issues you might be concerned about. Once he is adjusted to the PH levels in your water....he should be fine.

HOpe this helps....and all the best to Squishy! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

#7604 12/28/04 07:51 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,392
BellaOnline Editor
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what are the water temps? If you keep your home in the 60s, he will sit all clamped on the bottom.


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