New Betta help!

[brinsc]

We just got a betta yesterday and I feel like I've been told a million different things regarding their care!

We have a 5 gallon tank (which we used to have 3 guppies in which all died, so we decided to get a Betta because the girl at the pet store said they were easier to take care of)....and just one male betta....(I rinsed it all out with hot water and added tap water with dechlorinator in it and let it sit a few days before putting betta in it).....but I forgot to put in some aquarium salt....here are my questions:

1. Can I add the aquarium salt with him IN the tank?

2. What tempature should the water be at...its around 69 to 70 degrees right now and it seems so cold! (We have a heater I could put in there...should I do that? and at what temp?)

3. Do I need to change the WHOLE 5 gallon tank out every 2 weeks?

4. How many granules and how often do I feed him?

5. Can I give him the freeze-dried blood worms that I still have (from taking care of the guppies)?

6. Do I need a filter? Will the water get stagnant?

7. I DO notice a very small little white fuzzy spot on the top of its head...very small, though...should I be worried? Is there something I should be doing?

8. What do you think about putting a divider in the 5 gallon tank and adding another betta on the other side? Where can you BUY dividers?

9. Is it good to get a live plant in there? What kind?

10. When I bent down and then looked up at the top of the water in the tank.....I noticed it has alot of film-like patches all over it....and I am worried that I may have put my hand into the water ( to check the thermostat) and may have had some residue of hand lotion on me or something....should I be worried about this?

Please help!! I want this one to live!!

[newbettamom]

Welcome to the boards! I am also new to bettas so I can't answer all of your questions, but I'll do what I can. Bettas are tropical fish and like warmer water, usually between 75-80 degrees, if you can't maintain that temp without a heater then use it! Bettas also like the blood worms, but don't rely on them as your staple food. They should be more like occasional treats. Bettas are big eaters and will eat as much as you're willing to give them so be sure you're not over feeding them. I feed mine 2-3 pellets twice a day. Hopefully the other members can help with your other questions and make sure to check out the betta care section here as well as researching other sites. Good luck!

[abm]

Hi, and welcome to the board!
Hopefully you will get several replies to your questions - thanks for giving as much info as you have, it really helps when people are trying to help you. I will answer the (few ) ones I can for sure -

1. I don't think so, but I'm not sure - it's not a requirement, you could add it next time you do a partial water change.

2. Yes, use the heater! Bettas like to be at 75-78 degrees - mine were at room temp til recently and now that they all have heaters they are so happy and healthy!

3. Unless the tank is cycled you will need to change it all out but probably not weekly - watch for others to answer here, and also please read the basic info on the HB Website link at the top of this page

4. Depends on the food you've got - if its HIkari BioGold pellets, no more than 6 per day total; if the HBH BettaBites or similar Aquaculture product, about 8 per day. Bettas like varied diets - I give my guys 2 Biogolds in the a.m., then 4-5 BettaBites in the p.m. Once or twice a week a dried bloodworm or brine shrimp treat is appreciated

5. Unless you think there's a problem with the bloodworms I think it would be ok - but they're cheap, and better safe than sorry....

6. If you cycle the tank you definitely n eed a filter...and a 5 gallon tank should be cycled. Member BettaMVP has a great discussion about tank cycling on her website - check it out (find any of her posts in the forum threads and click on the link in her signature)


7. I'd watch it for sure, and maybe go ahead and get some fungus treatment (Jungle Fungus Eliminator or something similar) and be ready - check out the Illness and Cure link for more info


8. A 5-gallon tank is not too big for one betta, but it's big enough to divide if you want to. Not sure about where to get dividers - several members here have described buying plastic and cutting it to size...

9. Many members have great live plant tanks going - unfortunately I'm not one of them.... but definitely consider this!

10. I'd watch the film and mostly watch your fish. Other posts here on the forum have described a film on some fish's water - it's a bacteria, harmless, and seems to occur only sometimes with certain fish. But if you're like me in the winter, you use lots of lotion and can't remember if you washed or not. If you really think that might be it, I'd probably do a partial water change (with clean hands ) to dilute any lotion.

It sounds like you're off to a great start! Keep in touch and let us know how he's doing! BTW, what's his name? And can you post a picture of him? We'd love to take a peek!

One other thing: You said you've been told a million different things about betta care...please be careful who you listen to about bettas! They are unique fish and the people with the teensy bettahex torture chambers or tell you to feed your fish 12 pellets a day (which they would eat, but constipation from overfeeding is a major problem for bettas and can kill them ) - remember those folks are trying to sell you something. No one here at HB is selling anything - we just love this special breed of fish and want to encourage everyone to care for them properly.

If you are patient and take the time to read through the basic info on the main HB website, you will learn enough to care for your betta. And then spending time reading through posts here on the forum will help you with the finer points of being a betta owner.

Have fun!

[brinsc]

Thank you so much!!

I will put the heater in tonight...and keep it around 75-78 degrees....and I will try to scoop out that filmy stuff at the top of the water and do a little partial water change....

It turns out that my son DID put in a tablespoon of aquarium salt while the fish was in the tank! I hope that doesn't hurt him!! (I was like..."Wait!!"...too late...LOL)

The food is called Betta Bio-Gold...and they told me at the pet store to feed him 5 granules every OTHER day...is that a good feeding schedule?

I do have a filter (for 2-5 gallon tanks...in clips on and fits right in the tank....with carbon in it, etc.)...but I really don't want to use it if I don't have to....it takes up alot of room and blocks his view of the mirror in the back...

I will check out the other sites you said to look at about filters....and if anyone has any MORE helpful info...I'd really appreciate it! (BTW...his name is "Sapphire" and he is a blueish green...very pretty!)

Thank you! ;D

[brinsc]

I am very sorry if I posted here and shouldn't of...I was just really worried about the temperature tonight and if he might freeze to death or something! I will post on the non-urgent board in the future...sorry!

[abm]

I'm sure others will have more helpful info, brinsc - just be patient

About the salt: I'd just watch the fish. The amount should not be an issue, so as long as it fully dissolved and didn't contact the fish and burn him he should be fine.

At least the pet store did not tell you to go get a lily and never change the water at all (at least I hope they didn't tell you that). Bettas do need to be fed daily, just not too much. I would get some other food besides the BioGold for variety, but that should be fine for now - as I said, feed in divided feedings 2-3 times daily, for a total of about 6 pellets per day. He will look like he's starving but he's just a betta who will eat everything you toss his way!

Are you sure the heater works? Have you used it recently or did you inherit it somehow? Just be sure before leaving the fish/heater for any length of time that the heater is working properly and maintaining the tank temp. My guys are happy at 78 - they subsisted at 72 so my heaters were a great investment for me.

All of my bettas (9 currently) are in 2-3 gallon individual tanks, none cycled and I do 100% water changes. I don't use filters at this point - with small tanks I don't need to and some bettas are sensitive to currents (long fins get caught and toss them around). Again, reading other posts/topic threads on this forum will help you decide how and when to use the filter.

Only one other point, and others may disagree with me on this - you said "blocks his view of the mirror " - do you have a mirror up against his tank all of the time? If so, you might want to move it or block it sometimes. Flaring is good for bettas sometimes, and fun to watch, but can stress them out if they feel under attack constantly. In a 5 gallon tank that might not matter - just a thought:)

BTW, Sapphire is a beautiful name:)

[mickey85]

1. yes you can, or, at least, I have in the past and it hasn't adversely done anything
2. it SHOULD be between 78 and 82, but a little higher or lower (as in 75-84) should be OK.
3. if you cycle it before putting him in, you only have to do 20-30% water changes weekly, but if it's not cycled, then yes, 100% water change at least every 3 weeks.
4. depends on the food. I'd assume that you're meaning Hikari Betta Bites since you mentioned granules and that's the most popular of the large foods. I'd reccomend 3 pieces twice a day or so.
5. yes but not all the time
6. if it's cycled yes, if it's not cycled, you would probably need to change the water more often without it.
7. it's probably fungus. Buy Jungle Fungus Eliminator or Jungle Fungus Clear and follow the directions.
8. you can buy dividers at pretty much any pet store or they can direct you to where you can get them. You can do that, but realize that it allows disease to travel through to your other fish should one of them become diseased and deteriorates the water more quickly.
9. if it's cycled, sure you can, but it depends on your lighting to what plant you want. Personally, I'd go with silk plants. they look life-like and are very low maintenance.
10. I wouldn't worry about the film. It comes off of the food, your hand, the decorations, dust from the air, etc. all of my uncycled tanks have it because of the lack of filtration, so I wouldnt' worry too much about it

[brinsc]

Thank you guys so much! You're the best!

I figured that my tank is a non-cycling tank....after all the guppies died and I cleaned it all out and started over with only a Betta.....

I really don't want to mess with a filter...but one web site I looked up said that it's bad for the Bettas to not have water circulation....that an air stone is a MUST, etc....so I just want to do what's best for them...

And thanks for the tip about blocking the mirror every so often...I didn't realize that might stress them out...

You all are so helpful....I will be coming here often!!

Thanks again!

[abm]

brinsc,

All bettas are different as far as whether currents really bother them or they adjust to them - it's up to you whether to try the filter or not. It is nice not to have to do 100% water changes every couple of weeks if you cycle the tank, but it's personal preference, really.

You can read a couple threads here on the forum about airstones - one I started, asking about them - but most responses say that airstones for male bettas are unnecessary. Betta fish have a labyrinth organ that allows them to breath air - that's why betta tanks must be covered (because bettas can jump!) but with a porous material or something with airholes - I use a fishnet/hairnet type stuff - not much to look at but they all stay in their tanks! So, that's why they don't need the airstone to make extra oxygen in the water, and the currents tend to catch their fins - wheee!

How did your guppies die? Is the betta a replacement fish for your son? I think he will enjoy Sapphire a lot - bettas are very alert and interactive fish - my son is getting two of "my" fish for his room (we've just finished getting everyone into larger tanks and new heaters, etc.) and he can't wait

I'm glad you're planning to return to the website and to the forum (hopefully) - we'll look forward to hearing how Sapphire is settling in.

[mickey85]

teh one time I had an airstone was when I had one male alone in a 20 gallon long tank and he had a bubble wall and liked to swim in it, but IMO a little airstone like you get in 1 gallon tanks and such froths the water too much. I wouldn't have anything more than a decent flow from a filter like yours.

[palepinkvase]

Welcom Brinsc, I hope all is going well with Sapphire. I wanted to add that anything you put in the tank should be smooth and not something Sapphire could get caught on or have this fins torn by. Unfortunately, I lost one of my Bettas to a silk plant that had a plastic piece near its base. He got caught up on it and couldn't get free. I add aquarium salt either to my stored water or after a water change. One of my guys enjoys going to the where the salt is dissolving and swimming thru the streams coming up from the salt. No adverse reactions, but please make sure the salt doesn't land on your Betta. I also have a film-on-top-of-the-water issue with one ony my guys. For awhile I used the net to skim it off the surface, but then gave up. It is apparently waste from bacteria and is harmless to us and Bettas. I would keep a VERY close eye on that patch of white fuzz. Please go to the main HB webpage and read about Illnesses. I have had VERY good success with Jungle Fungus Clear Tablets. I urge you to go out and pick up something just in case you need it. Good Luck!

[brinsc]

ABM...we still are not sure why our guppies died! They died at different times...We tried to have 3 guppies in the tank at all times...and when one would die...we'd get another one, etc....the weird thing is that the last one to die was the first one we got! I kept having the water tested and ONCE it was really high in nitrates...but all the other times...it was fine....I kept them at around 78-80 degrees and fed them only once a day...the pet store people were at a loss, too...they said that it's just really hard keeping the water balance okay in a small tank (5 gallon or less)....so they recommended a betta instead....

I will definately go out and get those Jungle Fungus tablets....I hope that will clear up the small white spot on his head....

Now I am worried about him getting caught up in the plastic plants, though! We have 2 plastic type of plants in there.....but so far, he seems to be doing okay...

Also...I am wondering now about him jumping out or not getting ENOUGH oxygen....I keep the lid down on the tank....and there is an opening (where the filter used to go)....is that enough oxygen do you think? And could there be any chance of him jumping out through that opening? It's about 2 inches wide by 4 inches long...

Okay...this is my last question...I promise! LOL

;D

[spiff]

If you want to keep the plastic plants in the tank, do the panty hose test. Put a pair of panty hose over the plants, and if it gets snagged, take the plant out because it will probably hurt the bettas fins then.

I had a betta in a 2 gallon tank that had a top with a small-ish hole to drop food in. The betta was in there for nearly two months, and the hole put enough oxygen in the tank, so yours should be fine as well. If you notice him gasping for breath, maybe cut another larger hole in the hood of the tank.

On one of my tanks, the whole back of the hood is full of holes from putting filters, heaters, etc in the tank. So far no one has figured out how to jump back there, and hopefully they won't ever figure it out! If you are worried about the hole, maybe tape a piece of saran wrap over it and puncture some small holes in it to let oxygen in.

[palepinkvase]

I keep my guys in these 2 gallon bell jars I bought at WalMart and I keep the lid on for heat retention as well as a guard against any escape. With the cord coming in from the heater there seems to be enough space for air exchange. No one is having any trouble getting fresh O2. Before I moved to the 2 gallons, I used those Saran or Glad Quick Covers with a hole cut into them to cover the 1 gallon bowls. I think they might make a size that is large enough for you to cover your tank. Otherwise, it would seem your current setup is fine. Keep us posted on Sapphire's progress.

[Emerson]

brinsc said:

1. Can I add the aquarium salt with him IN the tank?

Yes, but you need to dissolve it first so that he doesn't absorb too high a concentration. Aquarium salt is not a necessarity, but it helps will electrolytes and disease prevention. If I remember correctly, the dose for 5 gallons is 1 tablespoon, but I usually add less than that. If I were you, I'd probably just add it to the conditioned water that you use for water changes, and add it then.

What tempature should the water be at...its around 69 to 70 degrees right now and it seems so cold! (We have a heater I could put in there...should I do that? and at what temp?)

76-80. If you have a heater, I'd recommend using it. Keeping the water temperature consistent is just as important as keeping it warm.

Do I need to change the WHOLE 5 gallon tank out every 2 weeks?

Yes, unless you plan to cycle it. But the best thing to do is to buy an ammonia test kit to monitor how soon the ammonia levels start to rise. After you know this, you can plan a water change schedule that will prevent ammonia levels from getting out of control. I greatly recommend cycling, however. It is a better long-term solution. If you decide to do this, be sure to read about cycling and the importance of testing for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Heat and aeration will be especially important if you plan to cycle.

How many granules and how often do I feed him?

How big is your Betta? Most people feed their Bettas twice a day. A varied diet, fed in moderation, is the best way to avoid problems.

Can I give him the freeze-dried blood worms that I still have (from taking care of the guppies)?

As a treat only; don't feed as a staple food, soak them first in treated water, and limit the number. They can cause constipation if not fed properly.

Do I need a filter? Will the water get stagnant?

Yes, if you plan to cycle. If you opt for a filter, know that it must be kept on a very low-flow setting.

I DO notice a very small little white fuzzy spot on the top of its head...very small, though...should I be worried? Is there something I should be doing?

Could be a fungus of some sort. Is it still there?

What do you think about putting a divider in the 5 gallon tank and adding another betta on the other side? Where can you BUY dividers?

It will work if you don't plan to cycle your tank. But if you plan to cycle it, two Bettas will cause too much waste - and in turn, ammonia - initially. I'd wait and add the second Betta AFTER the tank is cycled. If you're not cycling, then you can install a divider (make sure it is secure!), but your Bettas will need plants and places to hide so that they dont' become stressed from seeing each other constantly. Male Bettas are extremely territorial, as you probably already know.

When I bent down and then looked up at the top of the water in the tank.....I noticed it has alot of film-like patches all over it

This is normal. It's probably just harmless bacteria.

Now I am worried about him getting caught up in the plastic plants, though! We have 2 plastic type of plants in there.....but so far, he seems to be doing okay...

You can't use plastic plants with male Bettas; it will damage their fins. You will need to use silk ones that are aquarium-safe.

Also...I am wondering now about him jumping out or not getting ENOUGH oxygen

Bettas can jump, but *usually* only if they have a large enough opening. This doesn't sound too large, but if you're concerned you can just tape something over it, like a piece of cheesecloth, that will still allow air to get in.

sef