Betta Fish and Betta Fish Care

Archive for the ‘betta fish tank’ Category

by Mary Brennecke
Many Betta parents keep their little wet pet in a fish bowl or Betta vase. There is some discussion about whether or not this is healthy and safe for the little fish.
Although some fish lovers are under the initial impression that it is actually easier and less upkeep to keep a Betta fish in a simple bowl or vase – the opposite is actually true in order to even keep your little fishy friend alive.

If you do choose a bowl or vase as your fish’s living accomadations, expect to change the water completely every day or two. You have to because of the small size and lack of water filtration. Without the constant water changes, your fish will flounder and suffer and die in the polluted water.

Of course, a well-fed fish given a variety of appropriate Betta foods in the correct amount is a priority. Likewise, you know that if he eats – well, how can I put this politely? He poops. This is the natural course of things and if enclosed in a tiny bowl or vase with no water filtration system to clean the water, chemical changes take place in your fish’s breathing water and all this toxic waste-filled water gets sucked into your fishy kid’s body and infects him with various fish diseases. Then you’ve got a bigger problem on your hands: You’ve got to attempt to diagnose and cure his disease.

Many times, it’s possible (and certainly better for you and your fish) to prevent these diseases from ever happening if you can keep the water clean and the water conditions right. (tropical temperature, Betta water conditioner, chlorine and chloramine out, no drafts, no direct sunlight)

In any case, the bowl is o.k. at first – although, it’s really some peace of mind for you if you can get a type of vented cover for the bowl so that your betta fish gets plenty of air(Betta fish are labyrinth fish who must breathe both water and come up to the surface of the water for air.) and yet cannot jump out and hurt himself or get killed from flopping on the counter gasping for air. Betta fish are natural jumpers out of self-preservation and a will to stay alive that they developed in the wild many years ago when they had to jump from a small puddle to a bigger puddle in Asia.

So, it’s up to you which home you choose for your beautiful new member of your family, but it’s good to be prepared for high maintenance if you choose a tiny bowl.

The beauty of Beta mixed with a lovely peace lilly with little maintenance.
Step 1
Wash the vase and the rocks and make sure the peace lilly is free of dirt (rinse in cold water) any dirt will cloud the water.

Step 2
Place the rocks in the bottom of the vase, cut a hole in the plastic lid big enough for the roots of the peace lilly to fit through, make sure roots are long enough to reach the water once the vase is full of water

Step 3
Fill vase with water place beta in water and then put the plastic lid with the peace lilly on the vase, making sure the roots are in the water. Now tie a ribbon around the neck of the vase. Now you have a beatiful plant and pet in one. This makes a great gift or just a nice office decoration, with little maintenance. The beta will feed off of the plant and the plant feeds off of the beta’s waste and the water.

Many individuals enjoy raising betta fish. If you don’t have a fish tank accessible or if you would prefer something a little more aesthetically pleasing, you able to use a large vase in lieu of a traditional tank.

 Step 1
Secure a medium to large vase. In addition to being able to hold enough water, it needs to have a wide enough mouth that you could move your fish in and out of the vase without much trouble. You will also must clean the vase fully 1 to 3 times/year.

Step 2
Dress the vase. Pebbles or marbles can be placed at the bottom to give it a little of  color, but be sure to sufficiently rinse them. Once these are in place, insert the filter and pump according to the directions.
It is recommended that you suction these to the side of vase, although this is not required. Finally, insert the plants into the vase, producing sure that they do not fully block the surface of the water.

Step 3
Add water. Use filtered water unless you are completely sure your tap water is free of magnesium, fluoride, and different additives. You can also add a water conditioner at this time. The water should be slightly above room temperature, and you should only fill the vase about 5/8ths initially, as you don’t want it to overflow when you add the fish.

Step 4
Let the water sit for a day. This allows the filter to do its work and purify the water.

Step 5
If you haven’t already done so, buy the fish. A pet store employee can help you do this, but your fish should look healthy, with moving fins and no mold or discolorations.

Step 6
Introduce the fish to its new environment by either mixing some of the water that has been sitting in the vase with the fish’s, or by having the fish sit in its bag in the water, allowing both pools of water to mix. You can then maneuver the fish into the vase.

Step 7
Feed your fish 2 to 3 pellets of food a day. Keep a second container available nearby in case you knock over the vase and it breaks.

 Bettas are fashionable fish for their brilliant colors as well as long, graceful fins. Bettas are famous for their aggressive nature. For this reason, betta owners generally use special tanks that house only one fish to preclude fighting. Betta tanks could be found in numerous places. Or, you could improvise one, if needed. Read on to learn more.
 

Step 1
Go to a pet store that sells fish, or a specialty aquarium store, and browse the fish tanks available. Look for the smallest tanks, which are usually meant for betas. Find a betta vase topped with a plant for a more uncommon habitat. Feed any fish that live in a beta vase instead of relying on the plant roots for food.

Step 2
Shop in discount stores for fish tanks and accessories. Shop in Wal-Mart or Target for a minimal selection of inexpensive beta tanks.

Step 3
Look in second hand stores for small tanks or for attractive small vases that could house a beta. Make sure the tank or vase has no hairline cracks by inspecting it thoroughly before purchasing.

Step 4
Search on-the-internet at specialty websites for a suitable tank. Purchase marbles for the bottom of the tank and any decorative tank features at the same time. Shop for water plants locally or risk having them arrive dead through the mail.

Step 5
Have enough tanks to house each of your betas. Keep male betas apart or they will fight until one is dead. House a different species with betas if you must, making sure that the fish are about the same size to keep the beta from attacking a smaller fish.